Ice Storm Forces Northern Michigan Trail and Campground Closures

Severe ice storms that swept through northern Michigan in late March have left a trail of fallen trees, power outages and debris across 12 counties under emergency declarations. Local officials say that 25 camping reservations have already been canceled, underscoring the immediate toll on the region’s spring travel season. Throughout these areas, downed limbs and power lines continue to pose serious public safety concerns, particularly on state-managed trails.

According to a DNR announcement, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has indefinitely closed numerous state parks, citing widespread damage and dangerous conditions. “Fortunately, we didn’t have much infrastructure that was harmed,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. Officials estimate that “Some parks might be open prior to Memorial Day,” though they emphasize it remains uncertain. “It is too early to tell what the total is,” Olson added. Data from the DNR’s Central Reservation System shows, “Travelers were avoiding having to drive through the impacted area to reach their destination,” said Christa Sturtevant-Good. “The damage was extensive in the forests of the northern Lower Peninsula where our recreational trails are found, and the cleanup effort will take weeks or months,” added DNR recreation trails specialist Paige Perry.

Park staff have also observed various impacts at county-run facilities. Long Lake Park reported scattered debris with relatively minimal branch damage, while Sunken Lake Park encountered multiple large trees that collapsed onto a store structure, according to a county update. Some administrators say not all locations have experienced comparable levels of destruction, but the overall cost of cleanup remains uncertain as work crews spread out across the affected counties.

Separately, other closures include Tomahawk Creek Flooding State Forest Campground and Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground, both facing blocked roads and potential limb hazards. In many cases, the disruptions have prompted drivers to alter travel plans. Local officials note that current conditions may limit access to several popular trails during the next few weeks, while power restoration efforts proceed.

“‘Hangers’ or ‘widowmakers’—broken limbs lodged in treetops—could drop without warning,” said Olson in a public advisory. “A lot of times with ice storms, branches will break off the top [of trees] and get hung up. We call them ‘hangers.’ And then when the wind blows later on, they can fall indiscriminately.” Officials emphasize the importance of exercising caution when hiking or camping near damaged trees, especially until all precarious limbs can be removed.

Administrators stress that carrying out regular checks of park infrastructure can help reduce storm damage. Some best practices, widely recognized in the industry, include ongoing tree inspections near campsites, implementing annual power assessments and scheduling off-peak times for removing fragile branches before the busiest tourist months. Many staff also recommend an organized approach to weather emergencies, such as prompt alerts to prospective visitors whenever conditions pose operational hazards.

The disruptions have led some travelers to cancel or postpone bookings. Officials believe that a coordinated effort to remove debris and improve safety conditions will help reassure guests. “At any rate, we want to have people use caution when they go out,” Olson said, warning that unseen branches lodged overhead might fall unexpectedly.

Local agencies confirm that final estimates for cleanup costs remain unknown. Multiple crews continue to remove fallen trees and repair power lines across the 12-county region, aiming to restore campground safety and reopen popular recreation areas as soon as feasible. Leaders acknowledge that each site faces unique conditions, which may result in staggered reopening schedules.

Throughout this process, many in the region hope to accommodate visitors in time for Memorial Day weekend. According to industry observers, re-establishing normal campground operations is vital for supporting tourism revenues. In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to verify whether their destinations are accessible.

General experience indicates that campground owners can benefit from developing emergency communication strategies, such as timely text alerts and dedicated webpages, to keep guests informed of closures or weather-related hazards. Creating contingency plans for cancellations or refunds, along with maintaining accurate real-time status updates, helps reduce confusion. Clear procedures foster guest confidence and encourage visitors to plan future trips even under uncertain circumstances.

Likewise, established guidelines for hazard mitigation emphasize the importance of regularly managing wooded areas and inspecting structures before severe weather seasons. Measures such as reinforcing buildings, improving drainage and trimming vulnerable branches may lessen overall damage during storms. By addressing potential trouble spots proactively, operators can shorten recovery periods and protect visitor safety.

In some locations, damage appears less severe than initially anticipated, enabling quicker reopenings. However, officials still warn that precarious branches may linger in overhead canopies. They encourage individuals venturing into northern Michigan’s forested areas to remain vigilant and report any safety issues, assisting authorities in identifying hazards before they cause harm.