The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
The Great Outdoors
Southeast Michigan offers plenty of places to pitch a tent
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: August 28, 2008
Camping in Southeast Michigan is no longer only about s'mores and soggy sleeping bags.
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With campgrounds that offer summer-long residencies, golf-camping packages, sites where horses can stay next to the family tent and even clothing-optional experiences, it may be time to dig out the dunk bag and think about camping again.
Campgrounds are offering free wireless Internet at each site, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, planned activities for adults and kids, and themed weekends for families pitching tents, pulling trailers or parking recreational vehicles at sites for a few days or a even few months.
Summer site
Some families call local campgrounds "home" during the summer months and Jado Campground in the Irish Hills provides a resting spot for their recreational vehicles. The seasonal site rent is $1,200.
"There are people who come back year after year. It's a community of friends. They pick up where they left off last year," said Kay Miller, owner of Jado.
She and her husband, Douglas Miller, run the 123-site campground, open May through October. Rates are available for weekly and monthly sites, with or without electric and water hook-up. A basic daily site is $20 for two adults with kids younger than 17 camping for free.
Like many of the campgrounds in the Irish Hills, Jado opened to serve visitors to the nearby Michigan International Speedway, where truckloads of race-goers pull up to flood the area during the three big races each summer.
Since opening 40 years ago, Jado has changed to cater more to families. "Lucky Lou" is the resident leprechaun who welcomes guests and leads games.
"It's something unique. We're in the Irish Hills, after all," said Kay Miller.
During October, Jado, along with other campgrounds in the area, host Halloween-themed weekend. The "Haunted Hills" events feature site-to-site trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving contests.
Apple Creek Campground and RV Park in Grass Lake offers wireless Internet access at campsites, set in an "up north atmosphere."
Toss in golf clubs along with the bug spray and s'more sticks when camping at Greenbriar RV Park in Brooklyn. There's an 18-hole course adjacent to the campground and gold-camp packages are offered.
At the Pinckney Recreation Area, a state-owned park, why not try a night in a "yurt," a nomad-inspired structure available for rent for $60 for up to six.
If heading back to nature means living in the buff, camp at the Northaven Resort in Brooklyn, where picnicking and organized games are played, clothing optional.
At Hell Creek Campground on Cedar Lake Road in Hell, campers bring their horses or ponies to saddle up and then stay on their campsite. There's chuck wagon meals and even cowboy poetry for campers to enjoy.
Heading out
There are 97 state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan with 250 camping units, with two nearby -- Pinckney and Waterloo Recreation areas, where there are campsites, trails, water sports and picnic spots.
In Michigan, campsite reservations are down by about 6 percent this year as compared to 2007, said Cheryl Greaney, Michigan Park and Recreation promotions manager.
Her division in Lansing realizes the increase in gas prices and a weak economy has changed the climate for campers.
This summer, Greaney's office dreamed up some new strategies for attracting and keeping campers in parks. A new program gives vacationers free storage for their trailers and campers on state land between weekend visits, so they don't have to pull trailers back and forth.
"The more they save on gas, the more they'll be back and with less energy and gas being used. It's a win for everyone," Greaney said.
"We're also finding that people like being entertained when they come camping," she said.
Last year, Michigan Parks and Recreation planned more than 400 events and sent 40 Explorer Rangers out into the trails to lead games and hikes.
"It's all about getting kids away from the electronic devices and keeping people outside," Greaney said.
Nice wheels
For folks nervous about tenting, camping in a recreational vehicle can be a bit more luxurious. RV rental companies tout freedom, flexibility and fun. The reasons to rent an RV are the same reasons for taking any vacation -- to get a break from the daily routine, to be with family and friends, to rest and relax, and to see new places.
When recreational vehicle sales and rental managers at General RV Center in Brownstown were looking at gas prices, forecasting a weak season, they offered up gas cards and jumbo rebates.
"We didn't know what to expect," said Jim Salamay, general manager.
They didn't need to sweeten the deal for too long.
"We are definitely not hurting with the gas price crunch. We were completely booked for all the big weekends, pulling vehicles from our other locations to fill our local reservations."
According to the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds, campsites across the state have been full. A recent survey of RV owners revealed that more than one-third of owners say fuel costs will not affect their RV travel plans. However, even when fuel prices climb, RV family vacations are nearly 27 to 61 percent less expensive, according to the association.
With many parks offering a variety of planned and recreational activities, people traveling in RVs are saving on fuel by staying longer at their campground, taking advantage of the amenities.
At the start of the summer season, RV rental companies anticipated 2008 to be a better year, by 20 percent, for RV rentals, according to a survey of RV Rental Association members. At General RV Center in Brownstown, the country's largest rental agent, more people than expected were grabbing the keys to a motor home or camper trailer for family vacations.
Jim Salamay, general manager of the rental department at General RV Center, said people are changing their way of vacationing to get more out of their holiday budget.
"A trip to Disney costs a family about $8,500 and that's hard for a lot of people this summer. Instead, they are coming to us, renting a camper for $1,200 for a week and heading off to see some of the great sites of Michigan."
For beginners, Salamay recommends a Class C motor home like the 28-foot Four Winds camper that looks like a minivan from the front, seating nine and sleeping six to eight for about $1,195 a week or $625 for a weekend trip.
It's easy to drive and park, and gets about 10 miles per gallon, he said. The deal includes 100 free miles per day, and then renters pay 25 cents per mile and $2 per generator hour, with one free per day thrown in.
Over in the sales department, Salamay said "pull-able" travel trailers are selling big this summer. For $16,000, a family can invest in a camper that sleeps eight and can be pulled by a mini-van or larger sports utility vehicle, with a bumper or frame hitch. Inside are all the conveniences of home with a living area, bathroom, kitchen and a few sleeping areas.
"Ultra lightweight trailer sales are up. I think with the future uncertain for so many families, and they are looking at different options for vacationing," Salamay said.
And, on average, pulling one of the lightweight trailers sucks down an additional three or four gallons of gas per mile.
With Labor Day approaching, signaling the end of summer for many families, a camping vacation can still be in the cards. Check out the resources guide, research a campground and stay close to home while feeling a million miles away.
Sue G. Collins is a reporter for Heritage Newspapers. She can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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