(WWJ) Do you have camping reservations at a Michigan state park this summer? You might want to check this out.
Due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic and Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order, Michigan state park campgrounds have been closed to overnight stays.
In response, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has extended an offer. Anyone with a reservation between May 15 and June 21 will need to make a decision quickly if they want to take advantage of an additional free night's stay. The deadline for this offer is 8 p.m. Friday, May 15.
You have two options, reschedule or let it refund automatically.
Don't call if you just want your money back. Your payment will automatically be refunded to the purchase method you used including the reservation fee and without a cancelation fee after May 15.
The relevant section of the Michigan.gov Department of Natural Resources (DNR) frequently asked questions page reads:
"Can I cancel my reservation taking place between May 15 and June 21 and rebook at a different state park, and still take advantage of a free night of camping?"
"Yes. If you rebook your reservation in any state park, recreation area or state forest campground (that accept reservations) you will still get a free night of camping – just make that decision before May 15 at 8 p.m. by calling 800-447-2757. Please note: If you rebook to another state park at a higher rate, you will need to pay the adjusted nightly rate."
Expect a wait. Many campers will be calling to take advantage of this offer.
Re-opening of Michigan state parks depends on the governor's stay home order lifting on May 28. DNR officials say they need five weeks after the stay home order lifts to get the parks ready since their preparation work has been deemed non-essential so far.
Read full details on the DNR response to COVID-19 Coronavirus.