Michigan campers grumble about enforced state park check-in time

The grumbles started quickly after a recent post on the South Higgins Lake State Park Facebook page. The note reminded campers that check-in time is at 3 p.m. — and would be enforced.

Michigan State Park campgrounds' 1 p.m. checkout and 3 p.m. check-in times have been in effect for more than 20 years, according to Jeremy Spell, central reservation system analyst for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.

However, most campers have generally enjoyed a lax system where early arrivals are accommodated at the majority of parks and a camper lingering a few minutes past checkout time isn't pressured off a site.

But according to the South Higgins Lake State Park post, the rules are tightening a bit, in part due to short staffing.

"Hey campers!! Just a reminder that check in time is 3pm," the post, which is no longer on the park's Facebook page, said. "Why are we enforcing this? Park staff go to every site after checkout at 1pm to do maintenance and clean up. With staffing being very limited and 400 sites to take care of, we need as much time as we can get."

"Check out time is 1pm and it’s just as important, if not more, that our campers adhere to this check out time," Spell said. "There are no late checkouts."

Campground park staffs use the 2-hour window between check-in and checkout to mow sites, clean firepits and perform other maintenance.

Spell said it can be especially challenging for only one or two mowing staff to get grass cut at a large number of sites before incoming campers arrive.

During the same period, outgoing campers are using sanitation stations to dump tanks and fill with fresh water. Adding incoming visitors at those stations can "create a very big bottleneck that not only creates upset campers waiting in line, but also creates a safety issue with so many pedestrians walking and biking and registered campers coming and going in their vehicles," Spell said.

This is especially true at the state's most visited parks.

South Higgins Lake State Park is extremely busy during the peak summer season, with staff managing both campers and boaters launching at access sites.

On the South Higgins Lake post, commenters raised concerns that an enforced arrival time could create a backup at 3 p.m. at check-in stations or sanitation stations.

Commenters on the Michigan State Park Camping Group on Facebook, which has more than 131,000 members, have reported stricter enforcement at other state park campgrounds and also worry about potential problems if no early access is allowed.

More: Planning to camp at a Michigan site this summer? State park reservations are going fast.

More: Campground reservations at Michigan State Parks: Tips on what to watch, avoid

However, Spell said there isn't a real concern about backups at 3 p.m. He said campers tend to show up sporadically and usually in the later afternoon and evening.

He also stressed that every park is different and that while it's best to show up no earlier than 3 p.m., campers needing to arrive early should call the park directly to find out their options.

One of those options could be parking in a day use lot until 3 p.m.

"We understand that everyone is excited to get to the park, get set up and start enjoying Michigan’s great outdoors!" Spell said. "However, we ask that our campers with reservations respect the check in time and be patient by sticking to the long standing, advertised and agreed upon check in and check out times, to create the smoothest turnover of customers each day."

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State Park campgrounds may enforce check-in time