Michigan state parks are extremely popular. Reservations fill up quickly at peak times causing some campers to play it safe and make a reservation early even if they might cancel it later.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is attempting to make more campsites available to more people by increasing the cancellation fees.

The new policy encourages campers to finalize their plans as soon as possible. Some campers hold onto several blocks of campsites at a campground. Sometimes even at multiple campgrounds.

Campers still can make reservations up to six months in advance. Under the old policy, the cost to cancel or modify a camping reservation was $10. The new structure still includes a $10 modification and cancellation fee, but it also includes an additional fee based on the length of time between the date the initial reservation was made and the planned arrival date:

  • Reservations held for up to two months:
    10 percent of the nightly rate for each modified/canceled camp night.
  • Reservations held for between two to three months:
    15 percent of the nightly rate for each modified/canceled camp night.
  • Reservations held for between three and four months:
    20 percent of the nightly rate for each modified/canceled camp night.
  • Reservations held for between four and five months:
    30 percent of the nightly rate for each modified/canceled camp night.
  • Reservations held longer than five months:
    40 percent of the nightly rate for each modified/canceled camp night.

The new cancellation policy went into effect on Nov. 1, 2017.

There is not a fee to modify a reservation that adds camp nights.

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