Algonac State Park is open with updates campsites
By Barb Pert Templeton
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced the completion of many repair and maintenance projects at parks across the state.
Thanks to a historic $273 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021, 122 of 168 (73%) planned improvement projects at state parks have been completed or are in progress, according to a DNR press release on July 9.
A photo showing the new look of the repaired dump station at Algonac State Park.
The unprecedented investment was outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan. It has been crucial to the state parks system, allowing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to significantly reduce a decades-long backlog of vital repair and maintenance projects and support the development of a new state park in Flint – the first in Genesee County.
While many improvements wrapped up this summer and over the past year, significant work has been actively transforming the parks since early 2024.
“These critical federal relief funds are at the heart of many incredibly transformative projects at 55 state parks across our peninsulas,” said Kristen Kosick, DNR Parks and Recreation chief in the recent press release. “Visitors are already seeing or will see important upgrades and enhancements to park amenities and infrastructure, changes that are geared toward a safer, more welcoming environment, greater comfort and more positive guest experiences.”
Kosick also said that these federal ARPA funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026, so many more projects will cross the finish line over the next 16 months.
The Algonac State Park has enhanced its visitor experience with several significant upgrades. The improvements were supported by a proposed $4.1 million in ARPA funding.
To find out more about upgrades at Algonac State Park, Blue Water Healthy Living contacted Steven Caryl, unit supervisor for Algonac State Park and Wetzel State Recreation Area
Blue Water Healthy Living: When did the project to upgrade things in the park begin?
Unit Supervisor Steven Caryl at Algonac State Park: The construction began in April of 2024.
The roads in the Riverfront campground were rebuilt from the base to asphalt.
BWHL: Can you provide a list of what was to be updated?
Caryl: In the Riverfront campground 127 sites were upgraded with water and sewer connections. The roads in the Riverfront campground were rebuilt from the base to asphalt. The two entrances
into the park also had the roads rebuilt from base to asphalt. As part of the road upgrades additional drainage was added to the roadsides and on sites throughout the campground. The sanitation station was completely rebuilt and expanded from 2 to 4 lanes.
BWHL: How did work on these projects affect use of the park? Were sections closed?
Caryl: Algonac State Park was completely closed from April 2024 until March 22, 2025.
BWHL: What’s the status at Algonac State Park today – are the projects ongoing or completed?
Caryl: The projects are completed except from minor items that need to be addressed.
BWHL: If they are ongoing what other improvements or updates are on the agenda?
Caryl: There is a solar panel project that is scheduled to be done. This should not have any impacts to park operations.
BWHL: Are all the areas at the Algonac State Park currently up and operating?
Caryl: Yes
BWHL: Does the park still have a rural campground area without hookups?
Caryl: All our sites have electricity and 127 of our sites have electric, water and sewer.
BWHL: Can you share any statistics about how many people use the park annually?
Caryl: Algonac typically has between 32,000 and 35,000 camper nights. If you are unaware, every night a site is occupied, it counts as 1 camper night.
BWHL: What is the cost to enter the park? Are they any additional costs for things like fishing, camping or concessions?
Caryl: Every vehicle that enters Algonac State Park is required to have a recreation passport. These are available for purchase for Michigan residents through the Secretary of State for $14 a year. They are available for purchase at the park for $19 a year for Michigan residents. Nonresident passes are $11 a day and $41 a year. Camping fees vary with the time of year and site amenities.
Algonac State Park is located at 8732 River Road in Algonac.
