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    • Most Popular Michigan State Park Campground: Ludington
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    Most Popular Michigan State Park Campground: Ludington

    Online Niel Posted on

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    Michigan’s most popular state park or campground in fiscal year 2024 likely won’t retain its crown next year.

    Ludington State Park, with more than 300 campsites between its three campgrounds, took the popularity title this year with 45,470 camp nights, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

    But camp nights will be in the park next year because of camping temporarily closed in September for upgrades, limiting available camping dates. The campground is expected to reopen on July 1, 2025.

    Every year, the popularity rankings are affected by campground closures, which limit possible camping nights.

    The other campgrounds with the most nights camped in FY 2024 were Holland, South Higgins Lake, Traverse City and Wilderness.

    Fiscal year 2024 ran from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

    Campsite occupancy rates

    While those parks were the most popular in terms of camp nights, not all were the most competitive for reservations.

    Petoskey State Park had the highest occupancy at 79.56% in FY 2024. It was followed by Hartwick Pines, Porcupine Mountains, Young and Holland.

    Petoskey State Park also had the highest occupancy rate in FY 2023 at 77.4 percent.

    Michigan State Park, recreation area camping reservations are down

    The boom in Michigan state park reservations and recreation areas experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic may still be on the decline.

    Bookings for fiscal year 2022 have reached approximately 496,000. Bookings fell to 483,217 in 2023 and 442,442 in 2004. There was an 8% decrease from fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

    More: It’s almost time to make your Michigan camping reservations for Memorial Day 2025

    However, construction closings had a declining impact, according to the DNR, with 122,578 more closed sites, or 9.6 percent more, in 2024 than in 2023.

    The Michigan State Parks and Recreation System Receives $273 Million in Federal Aid Funding to help with infrastructure needs, which has led to some closures.

    Canceled bookings

    The cancellation rate rose slightly in FY2024 to 13.87%. The rate was 12.8% in 2023 and 14% in 2022.

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