Most popular Michigan state park, recreation area campground is Ludington

Michigan's most popular state park or recreation area campground in fiscal year 2024 probably 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 nights camped, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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

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

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

The 2024 fiscal year ran from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024.

Campground occupancy rates

While those parks were the most popular in number of nights camped, they all weren't the most competitive for site reservations.

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

Petoskey State Park also had the top occupancy rate in fiscal year 2023 at 77.4%.

Michigan state park, recreation area campground reservations decline

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

Fiscal year 2022 reservations hit about 496,000. Reservations decreased 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 Michigan camping reservations for Memorial Day 2025

However, construction closures had an impact in the decline, according to the DNR, with 122,578 more closed sites, or 9.6% more, in 2024 than 2023.

The Michigan state parks and recreation system received $273 million in federal relief funding to help with infrastructure needs, which has led to some of the closures.

Canceled reservations

The cancellation rate for reservations ticked up slightly in fiscal year 2024 at 13.87%. The rate was 12.8% in 2023 and 14% in 2022.