Many Memorial Day weekend campers in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief.
All temporarily closed Michigan state park campgrounds and lodging that have not already reopened after the March ice storm in northern Michigan will reopen Thursday, May 15, according to a Michigan Department of Natural Resources news release.
The ice storm affected almost 1 million acres of DNR-managed land, including state forests, state parks, boating access sites and state-managed trails, leaving tree damage over 12 Michigan counties.
In response, the DNR temporarily closed several sites in northern Michigan while it worked on cleanup, leaving some campers with canceled spring reservations.
However, Memorial Day camping will be saved with the reopenings.
The DNR warned some locations may look different when campers return with more open spaces, damaged trees and extra natural debris.
The DNR also wants anglers and paddlers to be aware of obstructions in waterways and possible boating access site closures.
Hikers should also stay on trail corridors due to potential hazards in surrounding forests.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan state park campgrounds closed after ice storm to reopen May 15
Reporting by Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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