Labor Day weekend is nearly upon us, but, if you hurry, you still can secure a camping spot at one of the dozen state parks with openings across Michigan.
While most popular campgrounds at Michigan state parks are already fully booked ahead of the holiday weekend, 12 state parks, more than half of them in the Upper Peninsula, have limited availability, as of Friday morning, Sept. 4, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The Michigan DNR offers a digital dashboard map for Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations on its reservation website, tracking the booking status of state parks.
More than a dozen state parks and areas have ongoing construction projects leading to closures of campgrounds, beach, trails and boating areas,
according to the Michigan DNR.
State forest campgrounds, which operate separately from state parks, offer camping first come, first servedand can't be reserved, the DNR said. The only exception is Elk Hill Equestrian River Trail State Forest Campground (Otsego County). Advance reservations are available at takes advance reservations at MiDNRReservations.com.
Michigan's three national forests offer free dispersed camping, but also have campgrounds that require fees and reservations.
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Here's what to know when booking your Labor Day camping trip.
How can I reserve a campground site?
The DNR allows campers to choose campsites and pay online on its reservation website, though many popular campgrounds are already fully booked for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7.
What state parks can you book for Labor Day weekend?
These state park campgrounds still have open spots for Labor Day weekend, as of Friday morning, Sept. 4, according to the DNR:
- Bewabic State Park in Crystal Falls
- Clear Lake State Park in Atlanta
- W.J. Hayes State Park in Onsted
- Indian Lake State Park in Manistique
- Lake Gogebic State Park in Marenisco
- F.J. McLain State Park in Hancock
- Newaygo State Park in Newaygo
- Otsego Lake State Park in Gaylord
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon
- Proud Lake Recreation Area in Commerce Township
- Twin Lakes State Park in Toivola
- Van Riper State Park in Champion
Other state parks may have very limited availability based on cancellations or other reasons.
How much does it cost to camp at a state park?
State park fees may vary by type of camping and your selected state park, and the DNR increased rates in August 2025.
State park modern and semi-modern campsites vary, and rates rose between $4 to $10, depending on the location and amenities, the DNR's website noted.
State park overnight lodging costs between $60 to $120 per night, with deluxe lodging $160 per night.
Modern lodges are undergoing a phased rate increase through 2027, when they will cost a nightly base rate of $236 per night at all locations. Some rates may vary with higher occupancy, the DNR noted.
How many state parks are in Michigan?
Michigan features 103 parks across the state, according to the Michigan DNR.
Which state parks have construction closures?
Construction projects are underway at state parks across Michigan, prompting closures Labor Day weekend, the Michigan DNR said. Here are impacted state parks:
- Belle Isle Park in Detroit: James Scott Memorial Fountain's plaza, adjacent sidewalk, and Fountain Drive for 2026 amid renovation, set to reopen in spring 2027. Shelters 2 and 8 are closed for the season and Shelter 19 will be under intermittent closures. Belle Isle Aquarium is under a renovation project on its HVAC system, site drainage and accessibility, but is open.
- Cheboygan State Park in Cheboygan: The Yellow Trail is closed for boardwalk replacement and set to be finished by around Oct. 1.
- Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park in Cadillac: A section of the park between the Mecosta County Parks office and 207th Avenue in Paris for construction, including removing a failed box culvert and installing a new bridge. The project is set to be finished this fall.
- Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling: Part of the Au Sable River Trail remains closed indefinitely because of the condition of its five footpath bridges.
- Holly Recreation Area in Holly: The public beach, buoyed swim area and boat launch are closed through October as local water levels are down due to dam repairs. The WhoaZone water park at Heron Lake is closed for the season.
- Interlochen State Park in Interlochen: A potential detour could occur for access to J. Maddy Parkway amid a Michigan Department of Transportation rebuilding of a 7.8-mile stretch of U.S. 31.
- Ludington State Park in Ludington: The Skyline Trail, intersecting trails, the park amphitheater and its access road will close in September for a reconstruction project.
- Maybury State Park in Northville: The park's mountain bike trail is closed for major renovation and is expected to reopen before winter.
- Muskegon State Park in North Muskegon: Lake Michigan Beach House renovations have been delayed, and restrooms are open on Saturdays and Sundays. The project is set to be finished by fall. The Muskegon Lake Channel walkway and adjacent parking lot are closed through August amid restoration work.
- Otsego Lake State Park in Gaylord: Lake to Lake Rentals is closed for the season for construction.
- Pinckney Recreation Area in Pinckney: Some reroutes are in effect as portions of the Potawatomi Trail is finalized.
- Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Waterford and White Lake: The modern campground and A-frame cabin is closed for the season amid delays on updates to the sanitation station and a solar project.
- Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg: The beach building is still under construction, requiring guests to use portable toilets.
- Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground in Osceola: The campground is temporarily closed because of a lack of potable water.
- Keith J Charters Traverse City State Park in Traverse City: The modern campground is closed for the season amid a project that includes a redesigned park entrance, new at-grade pedestrian crossing, new campground contact station, relocated park headquarters building and an expanded sanitation station. The campground is set to reopen April 1, 2027.
- Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Middleville: State officials are working to draw down Hall Lake Dam, leading to the closure of the boat access site for Hall Lake, along with intermittent road closures and detours. Once a new water level for Hall Lake is established, the DNR will consider whether the site could be replaced with a carry-down access site.
Can you camp in national forests?
National forests in Michigan offer dispersed and primitive camping without fees or permits, as long as you are more than 200 feet away from any body of water.
Developed campgrounds innational forests may require reservations and fees.
There are campgrounds in the Hiawatha National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest and Ottawa National Forest.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hoping for a last-minute Labor Day camping trip. See what's booked
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