Michigan state parks check-in time is, and long has been, 3 p.m.
At least one state park took to Facebook this week to report that the 3 p.m. arrival time at campground check-in stations is being strictly enforced. Statewide park staffing shortages have led to parks needing the full two-hour window between the 1 p.m. check-out time and 3 p.m. check-in time in order to prepare campsites for their next visitors.
The enforcement has led to some unhappy campers, with some voicing complaints in Michigan state park camping Facebook groups that it is causing longer wait times at campground check-in stations.
But Ron Olson, chief of parks and recreation at the DNR, said he wasn’t aware of check-in time enforcement causing any significant issues with traffic or wait times, noting that the arrival time has been in place for more than 20 years.
“That is the rule and it’s been that way for long before I’ve been here,” he said.
Jeremy Spell, central reservation system analyst for the Parks and Rec division, said the two-hour gap between departing and arriving campers is meant to avoid bottlenecks at RV dump and fill stations, as well as allow for campsite clean-ups and mowing.
“We understand that everyone is excited to get to the park, get set up and start enjoying Michigan’s great outdoors,” he said in an email. “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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