Tight State Budgets Results in Closure of 20 Rustic Campgrounds

Twenty state forest campgrounds were closed throughout the state Monday, July 9, to save $75,000, the Department of Natural Resources announced Friday, July 6.

No campgrounds were closed in Mackinac County. Campground closures occurred in the following counties: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Luce, Marquette, Oscoda, Otsego, Schoolcraft, Grand Traverse, and Wexford.

The closure will result in a reduction in state General Fund appropriation to the Recreation and Trail Program for fiscal year 2007.

State forest campgrounds are within state forest lands in Michigan, and are not state parks. State forest campgrounds offer a more rustic setting for primarily tent camping.

The remaining 118 state forest campgrounds will be open and available for rustic camping throughout the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Dispersed camping (camping outside of designated campgrounds) on state forest lands is prohibited within one mile of designated state forest campgrounds.

Additional information on state forest campgrounds that will be open for the remainder of this season can be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, click Recreation and Camping.