The six-month window to register for the first weekend of camping in Michigan opens Saturday online as the Upper Peninsula continues growing as a popular summer and fall destination.
The region’s 22 state park campgrounds attract families exploring the area each year. Twin Lakes State Park, which experienced a season-long closure last year for improvements, expects to open with other parks this summer, said DNR official John Pepin.
Several projects throughout the summer may impact campers, but Pepin said the only project affecting reservations starting Saturday will occur at Indian Lake State Park. The Department of Natural Resources does not expect to begin accepting camping reservations at Indian Lake until after July, subject to project progress.
In August, the DNR closed Indian Lake State Park to begin park enhancements including a new toilet and shower building in the south campground, improvements to mini cabins, and upgrades to the sanitation station and beach shelter.
The Father Marquette National Memorial, near Straits State Park, will maintain a temporary closure for improvements to powwow grounds, utility upgrades and a new learning center.
Other temporary closures impacting Upper Peninsula state park recreation include boardwalk construction at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, closing the east loop at Fort Wilkins State Park for electrical upgrades, and modern campground improvements at Lake Gogebic State Park and McLain State Park.
Most projects are expected to wrap up by July 2026.
Michigan’s DNR allows people to reserve campsites up to six months before their trip, making the first weekend of camping next year May 22-24. More information about projects impacting eastern and western Upper Peninsula state parks is available online.
EASTERN U.P.:
Father Marquette National Memorial adjacent to Straits State park temporarily closed for planned enhancements through July 2026
The Father Marquette National Memorial is temporarily closed for a planned enhancement project through July 2026. This project includes the construction of a new learning commons building, improvements to the pow wow grounds and associated utility upgrades. The closure will not impact Straits State Park’s day-use area or modern campground.
Indian Lake State Park campground and day-use closures taking place
The only facility where reservations are affected will be Indian Lake State Park. Reservations are currently closed for the entirety of 2026, but we do plan to open in July. When we get closer to completion and have a firm date, those reservations will open up.
Due to planned park enhancements – construct new toilet and shower building in the south campground – the entire south campground (including mini cabins), sanitation station and beach shelter are temporarily closed. The closure began Aug. 11, 2025, and a 2026 reopening date will be announced at a later date. These improvements are being made possible through a proposed $2 million in federal relief funding from Gov. Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan
Tahquamenon Falls State Park Upper Falls boardwalk under construction; viewing areas and brewery remain open
A new, fully accessible 900-foot-long boardwalk is under construction, designed to provide stunning perspectives of the 200-foot-wide falls. This exciting addition will replace the existing stairs, winding through old-growth forest and featuring benches for a comfortable and immersive experience. The new boardwalk will offer incredible views of both the falls and the river. Construction began in October 2024 and is currently slated for completion by the end of December. (updated 10/28/25)
All other Upper Falls viewing areas, including the three viewing platforms above the falls, and the privately owned Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub will remain open during construction.
A proposed $3.275 million in federal relief funding from Gov. Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan made these and future renovations possible.
WESTERN U.P.:
Bewabic State Park modern campground and short-term closures this fall
Due to planned park enhancements – construct new toilet and shower building and repave park roads – the entire campground is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season. Please also be aware of short-term closures: the boating access site will close Oct. 20 to Nov. 1 and the day-use area will close Oct, 23 to Nov. 1.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park’s east loop temporarily closed
The east loop of the park’s modern campground is closed for electrical system and campsite upgrades. The closure began Aug. 1, and is anticipated to reopen in summer 2026 (an updated timeline will be posted here). The west campground, sanitation station, mini cabin and Lake Fanny Hooe cabin will remain open.
Lake Gogebic State Park’s modern campground and cabins closed through July 20, 2026 for upgrades
The modern campground and cabins are temporarily closed for a planned enhancement project to upgrade the water, sewer and electrical systems. The closure began on August 18, 2025, and we anticipate reopening on July 20, 2026.
McLain State Park modern campground and cabins closed for portion of 2026 season
To allow for planned electrical upgrades, a portion of the modern campground and cabins will close during the 2026 season. As the project progresses, sites 1-91 will reopen in phases. Sites 100-135 (and the cabins) will remain open and are not impacted by this construction. Please check this page for construction timeline updates and the exact date when reservations for the open areas will become available.
Twin Lakes State Park’s modern campground and mini cabin temporarily closed for enhancements
The modern campground and mini cabin are temporarily closed to accommodate the construction of a new toilet/shower building and an upgraded sewer system. We anticipate reopening the campground around July 1, 2026. Construction timeline updates will be posted here, including the date when reservations will become available for the season.
