higgins parking

[barnacle bill]

:mad: seems dnr will start enforcing parking at the north state park and west shore boat launch and south state park. do not have any other details on how they will collect. this will happen 7 days a week. bill

[krt]

That's what I was told. I also was told that no one is at the booth that you pass on the way in. You have to go to the main office. I should have asked for more info because I'm not exactly sure where the main office is that my friend spoke of.
So in a nut shell, it sounds as if no one is there to sell you a permit, there is someone there to give you a ticket.

[MSUICEMAN]

i'm not sure for there, but most of the "tickets" cost the same amount as a day pass.

[Ferris_StateHunter]

To my knowledge MSU is right.... When you recieve those its the cost of a daily pass... after a certain period lets say 5 days then the ticket goes up in price...

[mikey]

Here's an idea....how about throwing in a self pay station at the launches like many others around the state???? You'd end up wasting more gas to find out where to pay those frickin tickets if you get one. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to take a chance on getting a parking ticket that would cost more than the original entry fee. It's happend to me at Lake Ovid State Park. It might be different at Higgins, but my experience tells me it 'aint worth the hassle.

[krt]

I guess that's good to hear about the cost of the tickets. I intend to buy a seasonal to get me through the camping season anyway.

[kcud rellik]

When you get a ticket you can either pay for a days pass or buy a year pass. You get 6 days to pay then theres a warrant.

[Birdhuntr1]

Going to Higgins on Sunday, does anyone know where I can buy a pass at?

[Ferris_StateHunter]

Bird... I'll see ya up there sunday... And if you find out where to get these passes let me know... or I will do the same... Either that or i will find out where Else we can park

[Birdhuntr1]

Would I be guessing right that a person can park for free in the lot across the road from the West Launch without a pass as long as he didn't drive d
own to the launch?
Ferris-I'll look like everyone else, Shappel 4000DX on the outer northeast side of the village from West Launch.

[spoikey]

There is a DNR office at the first exit for Higgins Lake/Roscommon, going north on I75. I think it's exit 239. Turn right and it's down just a little ways on the left. Not sure if it's open on the weekends though. By the way they usually have free maps of the State of Michigan and Roscommon County/Higgins Lake/Houghton Lake/ Lake St Helen. Also lots of useful info pamphlets.

[LungBuster 21]

I worked for the North Higgins Lake State Park for the past couple years during the summer which also includes the West Higgins Lake access site. Technically when ever you enter a state park or boating access site you are suppose to have a permit. By the way they there are two different types of permits. One for the State Park and then one for boating access site. But knowing how they operate there I wouldn't worry to much about buying a pass this time of the year. If they do give you a violation notice it is not a big deal. Just go to the main headquartes at the North State park to pay the daily fee. But just don't do something stupid like park across five parking spaces with your truck and trailer then they will give you a real ticket that will cost you over $100!!
But don't hold me accountable if you get a ticket!! LOL!

[beer and nuts]

North State Park is placing ticktes on windows. You then go get your pass or daily at the main office or I think you can mail it in. Couple friends got them already. I have not heard the west end DNR site, but I do know they are totally different permits. If they are gonna ticket ya they better get off their **** and place somebody at the booth especially at the westend launch. And they better start providing some services like maintaining bathrooms and providing garbage cans etc..and snowmobilers better be paying to "launch" there too or even riding through.

[swampbuck]

Would I be guessing right that a person can park for free in the lot across the road from the West Launch without a pass as long as he didn't drive d
own to the launch?
Ferris-I'll look like everyone else, Shappel 4000DX on the outer northeast side of the village from West Launch.

that is part of the access and is posted. the shoulder of old 27 is free though.

[COHO]

get yourself a season pass and you can go whenever you want;)

[Birdhuntr1]

Today I called the Roscommon Field office, and was told to call the North Shore State Park (989-821-6125) and I talked to Carl there. He told me that they have been handing out notices, not tickets, at the State Park there to get a pass for the park. They have not been issuing tickets. He also said that to get a pass for the launch site, which would also be good at all launch sites that require an access fee, go to the Norht Shore State park, fill out the info envelope provided and turn it in at the drop along with either a check or cash for $24 and a season pass will be sent to you that will expire at midnight on 31 Dec 07. Just be sure you request a boat launch access pass. He also told me that his office at the North Shore does the patroling for the state park, as well as the west launch and Houghton Lake launches, and will NOT be patroling this weekend so there is no worries of tickets. Hope this helps all, I'll be getting a pass sent in Sunday, and hope to see some of you Sunday off the West Launch.

[LungBuster 21]

They only patrol when they are on duty. And this time of year they have banker hours!! 8 to 4pm weekdays and do not work weekends or holidays.

[jimbofish]

The laws are different for State Park motor vehicle permits and Boating Access Site (BAS) permits.

Park permits are required for State Park areas that are covered by the MVP act. A permit is required at any time, regardless of whether someone is on duty. Usually there is a sign that says "Motor vehicle permit required" If you're found without one, the rangers will place a VIOLATION NOTICE on your window and you can cancel it by purchasing either a daily permit for the day of the violation, or an annual. You can do this by mail or at any State Park office where they are sold. If you ignore it, and the warning letter you'll eventually receive, a real ticket can be issued. The N & S Higgins Lake SP sites are covered by this permit.

BAS permits are required ONLY when someone is on duty to sell them at the site. Usually there is a sign on the booth that says "Vehicle permit required when attendant is on duty". If no one is there when you arrive, you do NOT need to purchase one and you will not be given a violation notice. Normally they do not staff the BAS booths in the off season unless there is a need for control of overcrowding or other problems. Boating access sites are primarily developed with boat registration and gas tax fees and that money can usually only be used to maintain sites for boating uses. Some of the more popular sites like Higgins are plowed during the winter by money from Fisheries Division or other sources as a courtesy and to prevent on-street parking. This money is minimal and explains why there is so little toilet and trash maintenance. The North Shore Access Site on Higgins and the other sites on Houghton Lake are BAS sites, and permits are only required when staffed.

The most important thing to know is whether a given site is a boating access site or part of a state park.

I worked for Parks & Recreation for 29 years, so I'm sure this is correct... unless they've changed the rule in the past few months.

[Scout 2]

Maybe you had ought to tell that to the guy riding around in the state owned truck putting envelopes on every car parked at the state park parking lot. I am sure he would find that interesting, He is a very friendly person so stop and talk to him. They are checking at the state park every day so just stop and get a state park sticker.

[krt]

I was at the south park from light until around 2:00. I didn't have anything on my windshield when I left, so I guess they weren't out.
The thing that really shocked me was the fact that I saw a truck parked on the ice out by the south sunken island!