Michigan state parks are reminding campers that check-in time is and has always been 3 p.m.
According to a report, certain state parks have reported that the lack of staff this season has meant they have to use the entire two-hour period between the 1 p.m. check-out time and the 3 p.m. check-in times to set up campsites for the next visitors.
“Park staff go to every site after check-out at 1 p.m. to do maintenance and clean up,” South Higgins Lake State Park posted on Facebook this week. “With staffing being very limited and 400 sites to take care of, we need as much time as we can get.”
The enforcement has led to unhappy campers, and some have voiced complaints in Michigan state park camping Facebook groups claiming that it is causing delays at campground check-in stations.
However, Ron Olson, chief of recreation and parks at the DNR, said that he hasn’t heard of the check-in time enforcement creating any difficulties with wait times, pointing out that the check-in time has been in effect for over 20 years.
“That is the rule, and it’s been that way for long before I’ve been here,” Olson said.
Jeremy Spell, the central reservation system analyst for the Parks and Rec division, explained that the two-hour gap between campers leaving and arriving is intended to reduce delays at RV dumps and fill stations and 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.”
This story originally appeared on Michigan Live.