bayoubelle wrote: I have been looking at the state parks for mid-July thru Aug. They are completely booked. The sites I found available would not accomadate my rig. We are still deciding if we should make Michigan this year. We travel for a couple of months and don't like to reserve to far in advance, so it seems private is our only option. Are we going to be able to find places to stay? We were headed to the western side of the state, up to the UP over to WI and MN. We wanted to stay by the coastline, will we have a problem? Also, we are traveling with a 2nd rig (family) which makes it harder. We figured it was the MI folks staying close to home.
The West side of Michigan along the lake is *the* place everyone goes. They are by far the most popular parks in the state and fill up fast 6 months in advance. Private parks will be pretty full too but being more expensive they might not be. I don't think you'll have a problem in the UP though for either state parks or private. Up there is getting hit the hardest by these gas prices.
One secret to keep in mind about the state parks is that each park sets aside a few sites (2-5, maybe more) for "local sale only" for first come first served on site sale only. These sites won't be on the reservation system. So if you get to a place mid-week or early Friday you may be able to get one of those. But as with anything you should have a backup plan.
I was just looking at availability for our trip to the Porcuppine Mnts. the first week of August. There were sites available at numerous campgrounds. The higher north you go, the more to choose. It is so gorgeous up there with so much to do, making it worth the time invested to plot out your reservations. It may take trying several parks, but there are many to choose from. Hey, you may now end up booking one of the sites we're considering! So be it! Enjoy and maybe we'll see you around the campfire!
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bonscott wrote: I still want someone to point out private parks that are cheaper then a state park in season.
There's a reason nobody points out any specifics....
-- Rob
Well, I don't know if you're going to find a lot of private campgrounds that are cheaper than the state parks, but I do feel that the gap is getting narrower. For 90% of our camping lives, we stayed at State Park campgrounds. They offered minimal amenities, but this was offset by the very low cost of staying there. For a few bucks, you had a really nice camping weekend with the family. Now, however, the prices are rising disproportionatly to the improvements at the campground. You still only get electricity - no water, no sewer (except for just a few exceptions), and yet the added fees are bringing the cost closer to the full-service private parks. For example, if you stay at South Higgins Lake, east campground, for a three day weekend, you'll pay $29 per day for electric only. However, you'll also pay $6 per day for the vehicle permit ($8 if you're a non resident), and an additional $6 if you have a toad along. If you are staying longer than three or four days, or expect to camp in a state park later in the year, you can get an annual vehicle permit for $24 ($29 for a non resident), but if not, the one-weekend holiday camper will be spending at least $35 or more per day, and the non resident will pay more still. This may not appear to be exorbitant, but I have heard others say that for about ten bucks more they could stay at a private or county campground and get water and sewer at the site, maybe a pool, etc., and you can't really argue that. If Michigan wants to keep tourists coming to the state park campgrounds, it has to offer more, or charge less.
MichDoc wrote: Well, I don't know if you're going to find a lot of private campgrounds that are cheaper than the state parks, but I do feel that the gap is getting narrower.
You make a lot of good points, but Scott's and my responses were aimed at the continual claim about all these awesome private parks that are so much cheaper than the state parks, yet I've only ever seen one specific example, and it was way up in the UP.
Besides, we really have to gauge the cost against what we're getting. I've seen very few private parks that offer the amenities of most state parks. Beautiful beaches, scenic trails, large, well-shaded sites, etc. With a private park, we give up all this in exchange for plumbing at our site. I just don't get it. Every trailer I've ever seen has holding tanks. Is it really worth $10-20 per day to not have to fill and dump those tanks?
Besides, we really have to gauge the cost against what we're getting. I've seen very few private parks that offer the amenities of most state parks. Beautiful beaches, scenic trails, large, well-shaded sites, etc. With a private park, we give up all this in exchange for plumbing at our site. I just don't get it. Every trailer I've ever seen has holding tanks. Is it really worth $10-20 per day to not have to fill and dump those tanks?
-- Rob
I'll agree there. I'd actually pay *more* for a state park in the woods. If MichDoc needs full hookups, a paved pad, clear line of site for satellite service and no tree branches in the way there is nothing wrong with that. But to put down state parks because they aren't RV parking lots...well...he has the right to do that too. But the point is that state parks *aren't* RV parking lots.
And now we are actually looking at dry camping more in state forest and national forest lands. I wonder what kind of review they would get from MichDoc if you have to drive 2 miles down a dusty rutted road to get there.
Besides, we really have to gauge the cost against what we're getting. I've seen very few private parks that offer the amenities of most state parks. Beautiful beaches, scenic trails, large, well-shaded sites, etc. With a private park, we give up all this in exchange for plumbing at our site. I just don't get it. Every trailer I've ever seen has holding tanks. Is it really worth $10-20 per day to not have to fill and dump those tanks?
-- Rob
I'll agree there. I'd actually pay *more* for a state park in the woods. If MichDoc needs full hookups, a paved pad, clear line of site for satellite service and no tree branches in the way there is nothing wrong with that. But to put down state parks because they aren't RV parking lots...well...he has the right to do that too. But the point is that state parks *aren't* RV parking lots.
And now we are actually looking at dry camping more in state forest and national forest lands. I wonder what kind of review they would get from MichDoc if you have to drive 2 miles down a dusty rutted road to get there.
You may want to go back and re-read my posts, because either you didn't read them, or you're quoting the wrong person. I have no problem with staying without full hookups, nor do I need or care about a paved pad. I don't have a satellite dish, never did, and I'm very adept at avoiding branches. In fact, if you actually read my comments, you would note that I stated that about 90% of our camping lives were spent in state park campgrounds. Further, I'm curious as to where I "put down" any state parks as you stated - although I do disagree with the way they are being managed, and the fees being charged. My comments were my observations as to why a lot of tourists (resident and non-resident) are avoiding Michigan State Park campgrounds.
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So be it! Enjoy and maybe we'll see you around the campfire!
