Latest news with #DNRParksandRecreationDivision
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Au Train area campground is closing in June. What the DNR is saying about closure
The Forest Lake State Forest Campground, south of Au Train, will permanently close Monday, June 9, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park, south of M-94 and east of M-67 on the Au Train/Cleveland Cliffs Basin in the Upper Peninsula, is closing because the property leased by the state has been foreclosed upon and taken over by a bank, making it no longer available for public recreation use, the DNR said in a release. Prior to becoming bank-owned, the state campground property was owned by a hydroelectric power company that was required to provide recreation as part of its federal energy license for the operation of a dam, the news release said. The property was leased and managed by the DNR, said Eric Cowing, district supervisor for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division in a news release. 'We've had an agreement in place to operate the facility for 70 years, through several dam ownership changes,' Cowing said. 'Unfortunately, due to recent foreclosure, we will no longer be able to continue providing camping, boating and other recreation opportunities at Forest Lake. It is our understanding that the new owners do not wish to operate a campground or continue public access.' In November, reported that the owners of a dam on the north end of the basin said they were out of money, in part because of repairs costs associated with work the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy was requiring to upgrade the structure. What to know about the park closure. The park will be open during Memorial Day weekend, through June 8, before the permanent closure takes effect. The rustic campground, managed by Indian Lake State Park, is located on the Au Train River's Au Train/Cleveland Cliffs Basin at the confluence of Slapneck Creek and has offered fishing, camping, boating, bird watching and paddling opportunities for more than 70 years. There are 26 sites for tent, small trailer and large trailer use at the site. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. The fee is $20 per night. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. Nearby camping facilities operated by the U.S. Forest Service include Au Train Lake Campground, Hovey Lake Campground, Island Lake Campground and several others. Superior Time Resort & Campground, a private facility on Au Train Lake, provides campsites, cabins and watercraft rentals. Visit the DNR's Things to Do webpage to learn more. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DNR says Forest Lake State Forest Campground to close in June
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Michigan state parks closed after ice storm damage
Several state parks in northern Michigan are temporarily closed after severe ice storms hit the region this week. Downed trees and power lines have made some of the parks and trails inaccessible. The parks will be closed while crews work to clear debris and restore safe access. 'The ice storms and powerful winds that tore through the northern Lower Peninsula left a lot of damage, including at some state parks and trails and other DNR-managed facilities,' said DNR Director Scott Bowen in a news release. 'While we work behind the scenes to assess the impact and restore these resources, our top concern is keeping people safe outdoors. Please avoid storm-damaged areas, give our crews the space they need, and follow public safety guidance around downed trees and power lines and other storm-related hazards.' The DNR released a list of state parks that are closed. Aloha Burt Lake Cheboygan Clear Lake Fisherman's Island Young Hartwick Pines Newegon Onaway Thompson's Harbor P.H. Hoeft Otsego Lake Rockport Recreation Area Wilderness Petoskey The DNR customer service center in Gaylord and the Oden State Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center are also included in the closures. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties Monday. More: Another storm set to hit Northern Michigan as ice storm recovery efforts continue The DNR also warned that trails near the state parks and public lands could be dangerous due to fallen trees and branches. "The trails could be dangerous especially for motorized trail users who come up on unsafe trail conditions quickly,' said Scott Slavin, Northwest Lower Peninsula trails specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division in the news release. 'We urge off-road vehicle riders to slow down, take corners with extra caution, watch for potential hazards and stay on designated trails." The DNR is advising against riding, hiking or biking on state forest lands in the region and to use extreme caution if an activity is necessary. The DNR is contacting campers who have reservations at any of the affected parks to cancel existing reservations. Campers who have reservations in the Upper Peninsula are also strongly encouraged to cancel for a full refund. Campers with questions should call the reserved park. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Northern Michigan state parks closed after ice storm damage
