Camp for weekend, store for free

[Hamilton Reef]

Camp for weekend, store for free: State park upgrades its 'intermittent camping' program

If you like camping, and you like saving gas, you might like a new program for Michigan state parks.

It's like the old program, called intermittent camping, except that now it's free.

The state Department of Natural Resources has dropped a $4-a-day fee for storing your camper or travel trailer on sites during the week.

http://blog.mlive.com/bctimes/2008/09/camp_for_weekend_store_for_fre.html

[Hamilton Reef]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 25, 2008

Contacts: Cheryl Greaney 517-373-0399 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR to Continue Gas-Saving Storage Pilot Program;
Eliminate the Fee for Intermittent Camping Storage Periods

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that the gas-saving, camper storage pilot program will continue throughout the remainder of the camping season at participating state parks and recreation areas.

In May, state parks and recreation area officials announced a new gas-saving, camper storage pilot program that offered campers the opportunity to save fuel by temporarily storing their camping trailer or recreational vehicle at participating state parks or recreation areas. The pilot program was scheduled to expire on Sept. 15.

“This pilot program was a huge success,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “Due to its overwhelming success, and numerous requests from campers and park staff to continue the program, it was decided we would extend this program through the end of the camping season at participating state parks and recreation areas.”

Storage of the camping units will remain free and limited to 15 days. Storage will only be available at participating state parks or recreation areas, and only until the park or recreation area closes for the season. Camping trailers or recreational vehicles will have to be removed before the park or recreation area closes for the season. Hartwick Pines and North Higgins Lake State Parks will continue this pilot program thru Dec. 1. Campers wishing to take advantage of this program will need to show proof of a recent or future (within one week) camping stay at a Michigan state park or recreation area campground.

Intermittent Camping Storage, companion to the Gas-Saving Storage Pilot Program, allows on-site storage of camping units in participating state parks or recreation area campgrounds. This program has also been a success at select locations for many years.

After further review, it was decided that the storage fee of $4 per night during unoccupied periods will be eliminated based on the following criteria:

* Free nights will only be available Sunday thru Thursday nights.

* The full camping rate will be charged during the weekends (Friday and Saturday nights).

* Camping units must be unplugged and unoccupied to qualify for the free nights.

* This only applies to specific state parks and recreation areas participating in Intermittent Camping Storage, listed below:

Upper Peninsula
Bewabic, Muskallonge Lake, Tahquamenon Falls and Wells.

Northern Lower Peninsula
Aloha, Clear Lake, Harrisville, Hoeft, Interlochen, Leelanau, North
Higgins, Onaway, Petoskey, Rifle River, South Higgins, Tawas Point,
Traverse City, Wilderness, Wilson and Young.

Southern Lower Peninsula
Bay City, Fort Custer, Holly, Ionia, Mears, Metamora-Hadley, Pinckney,
Port Crescent, Proud Lake, Sleeper, Warren Dunes, Waterloo (Portage Lake
only), Algonac (beginning Oct. 11); Grand Haven (after Sept. 27); Sleepy
Hollow (until Sept. 29, and Oct. 12-18 only); Yankee Springs (after Oct. 18).

For more information about these programs, the parks participating in these programs, and the continued opportunity to save on fuel costs, contact the DNR Parks and Recreation Division office at 517-373-9900, or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/camperstorage. To find out if a participating park or recreation area has space available, or to find out when they plan to close for the 2008 camping season, contact the park or recreation area.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

[gilly]

Thanks for the update...this was a great program before and now that it's free storage in-between even better.....:)

[pdkpotocki]

Mitchell sp also has it. We also have a heated bathhouse open all year