State to close 23 campgrounds

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan parks officials recently said they plan to close 23 state forest campgrounds on May 19 as they grapple with budget reductions. The campgrounds are located in the state's Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. The closings were formally proposed at a meeting of the state's Natural Resources Commission. The order is eligible for action and signing by Department of Natural Resources Director Rodney Stokes at a May 12 commission meeting. The campgrounds targeted for closing are seldom-used compared to other campgrounds. Many are near some of the other 110 state forest campgrounds that would remain open for the upcoming season. State forest campgrounds are more rustic and have fewer amenities than Michigan's state parks. Forest campgrounds generally are unstaffed, but require upkeep that is increasingly difficult given the budget problems. The campgrounds that would be closed are: --Beaufort and Big Lake state forest campgrounds, Baraga County. --Black Lake Trail Camp, Cheboygan County. --Lime Island State Forest campground and cabins and Munuscong River State Forest Campground, Chippewa County. --Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground, Crawford County. --Deer Lake State Forest Campground, Iron County. --Bray Creek State Forest Campground, Lake County. --Blind Sucker (hash)1, High Bridge, Holland Lake, Natalie and Reed & Green Bridge state forest campgrounds in Luce County. --Black River State Forest Campground, Mackinac County. --Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground, Montmorency County. --McCollum Lake State Forest Campground, Oscoda County. --Pigeon Bridge and Round Lake state forest campgrounds, Otsego County. --Canoe Lake, Cusino Lake, Mead Creek and South Gemini Lake state forest campgrounds in Schoolcraft County. --Long Lake State Forest Campground, Wexford County. Published: Tue, Apr 19, 2011