12 State Forest Campgrounds Close Due to Budget Cuts

[Jarhead]

State Forest Campground Closures

Northern Lower Peninsula
Thunder Bay River - Atlanta Unit
Twin Lakes - Atlanta Unit
Big Oaks - Atlanta Unit
Lake Marjory - Gaylord Unit
Muskrat Lake - Grayling Unit
Forks -Traverse City Unit

Upper Peninsula
Pike Lake - Gwinn Unit
Merwin Creek - Shingleton Unit
Little Brevort Lake South - Sault Ste. Marie Unit
Shelldrake Dam - Newberry Unit
North Horseshoe Lake - Gwinn Unit
Headquarters Lake - Newberry Unit

[timbercruiser]

Close things that bring in money?

[oz97tj]

Close things that bring in money?

They also cost money to have them open so if they aren't being filled, it's costing money.

[rentalrider]

That sucks. Period. I understand it, but it sucks. Apparently everyone's idea of "camping" is having 3 dozen RV's around you in a concrete field with full hookup. I have spent a week at headquarters lake in the UP every fall since meeting my now wife. I live 1mile from Ambrose Lake campground north of W Branch. Apparently it makes TONS more sense to stick over 1/2 million into a small park like that when they're not even adding more sites. Yeah, I love the huge cement boat launch into a lake that's soot and 4ft deep at best. Don't get me wrong, I'll get more use out of this 1/2 million than anyone pro'ly, but just doesn't make sense. Sorry, I don't buy the "costs money" excuse when they waste it foolishly. End of rant.
(can you tell you struck a nerve? )

[oz97tj]

That sucks. Period. I understand it, but it sucks. Apparently everyone's idea of "camping" is having 3 dozen RV's around you in a concrete field with full hookup. I have spent a week at headquarters lake in the UP every fall since meeting my now wife. I live 1mile from Ambrose Lake campground north of W Branch. Apparently it makes TONS more sense to stick over 1/2 million into a small park like that when they're not even adding more sites. Yeah, I love the huge cement boat launch into a lake that's soot and 4ft deep at best. Don't get me wrong, I'll get more use out of this 1/2 million than anyone pro'ly, but just doesn't make sense. Sorry, I don't buy the "costs money" excuse when they waste it foolishly. End of rant.
(can you tell you struck a nerve? )

Do you need a hug? lol.

I agree with you though. The states is constantly waisting money. It's what they do best. I was just stating that some parks cost more money than they take in. I'm betting this has something to do with their decision.

[T-way]

Exactly! With many of the forest campgrounds, it costs more to maintain them (removing trash, checking for payment, removing money, cleaning limbs, etc.) than is brought in in revenue if the campground is not heavily used or is "out of the way" for staff to have to go there (travel to the sites costs the DNR money too).

Now....I'm not saying that I'm a big fan of these campgrounds being closed, but if it makes sense to save money, than so be it.

It seems that we all want the State to save money, until the savings comes from something that we personally care about!

(Not meant as a criticism of anyone's viewpoint.....just a general observation!! )