Outdoor Matters
Cabins in the Woods Offer More Winter Camping Options in Michigan
A column from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources offers a number of choices in cabins and lodges at state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan, and has even added several yurts, snug, weather tight shelters, at three locations.

"We are expanding our cabin and lodge options because of demand," said Cheryl Greaney, promotions coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "A lot more people are discovering that winter is a great time to come out to state parks and recreation areas."

Ms. Greaney said the yurts, which originated in central Asia, should become quite popular with visitors because they are located close to a park's hiking and crosscountry ski trails.

Currently available at Pinckney, Craig Lake, and Porcupine Mountains, a yurt is a circular (16 feet in diameter) domed tent-like structure that sits on a platform. They are equipped with bunk beds to sleep four or five, wood stoves (the wood is provided for winter heating), and a variety of cooking utensils.

"These structures are warm and cozy, and we've selected some great locations at other parks where more yurts are planned," Ms. Greaney said.

Mini-cabins are open in 13 locations throughout the winter. These single-room cabins sleep four. All have heat, electricity, and vault toilets nearby. Many of these locations do not plow access roads, so you may need to bring the skis or snowshoes to reach the cabin.

Port Crescent State Park in Michigan's Thumb is the first park to have a new "camper" cabin. A camper cabin has more room than

mini-cabin. The one at Port Crescent is 400 square feet and includes a living room, two bedrooms, and a large front porch. It sleeps up to six, and has gas heat and electricity. Situated on a site overlooking Saginaw Bay, this cabin was built with the help of the Department of Corrections Prison Build Program.

More camper cabins are planned for the future, Ms. Greaney said.

Another option is the Harrisville "Sunrise" cabin. Built in 1952, this cabin recently was restored to sleep six people on bunk beds. The cabin features a dining table and benches made from a cherry tree in the park that had suffered storm damage and needed to be removed for safety reasons. The cabin has no electricity, but there is a woodstove and firewood is provided. Water is available from the park headquarters.

For families looking for something more modern, nine state parks have turned a former park manager's residence into a comfortable lodge that provides everything needed for a week's stay except maid service.

All provide refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, and small kitchen appliances. Linens are supplied, along with all dishware, utensils, pots and pans, and bakeware.

Lodges currently are available at Fayette, Grand Haven, Mears, Porcupine Mountains, Proud Lake, Twin Lakes, Wells, Wilson, and Highland. Work is underway for another lodge at Hoeft State Park.

Many have the original hardwood floors.

"We didn't know what we'd find when we pulled up the old carpet," said Blake Gringrich, unit supervisor at Hoeft State Park. "The tile was in pretty bad shape, but underneath was the original hard wood floor. We removed the old glue and now are refinishing the wood. It's going to really look nice."

Renovations to the 1927 bungalow house should be completed this spring, and Mr. Gringrich expects to be taking reservations starting in May.

"We loved staying at Kaug Wadjoo lodge at the Porkies," said Betsy Kish of Pigeon, who stayed there last September. "We sat outside at night around the fire circle and watched the sunrise over Lake Superior in the morning. All we had to bring was our clothing and food. It was great. I thought my kids might miss television, but there was always so much to do. We want to go back and work on our snowshoe techniques."

The lodge at Grand Haven State Park is close to town, and it's just a short walk to the beach and the lighthouse pier.

"Right now people are still fishing off the lighthouse pier because of the mild winter," said Patrick Whalen, park supervisor.

Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas now offer more than 70 cabins, including yurts, which all can be reserved online at midnrreservations.com or by calling (800) 447-2757. Lodges are reserved by calling the individual parks.

"There's something delightful about being warm and cozy in a cabin in the woods when it's bitter cold and snowy weather," Ms. Greaney said. "For that easy getaway without all the packing, try a state park cabin, mini-cabin, yurt, or lodge. Give them a try in winter."

For more information, visit the DNR Web site at www. michigan. gov/dnr and click on the Recreation and Camping link.