Several state parks, trails and facilities have been closed after an ice storm caused damage across Northern Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources closed the parks due to downed trees and power lines. Clean-up efforts are underway.
“The ice storms and powerful winds that tore through the northern Lower Peninsula left a lot of damage, including at some state parks and trails and other DNR-managed facilities,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen. “While we work behind the scenes to assess the impact and restore these resources, our top concern is keeping people safe outdoors. Please avoid storm-damaged areas, give our crews the space they need, and follow public safety guidance around downed trees and power lines and other storm-related hazards.”
The following parks and facilities have been closed:
- Aloha, Burt Lake and Cheboygan state parks (Cheboygan County).
- Clear Lake State Park (Montmorency County).
- DNR Customer Service Center in Gaylord (Otsego County).
- Fisherman’s Island and Young state parks (Charlevoix County).
- Hartwick Pines State Park and Visitor Center (Crawford County).
- Negwegon State Park (Alcona and Alpena counties).
- Onaway, Thompson’s Harbor and P.H. Hoeft state parks (Presque Isle County).
- Oden State Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center (Emmet County).
- Otsego Lake State Park (Otsego County).
- Rockport Recreation Area (Alpena and Presque Isle counties).
- Wilderness and Petoskey state parks (Emmet County).
To see the most updated list of closed parks and facilities, visit here.
In addition, many trails near the parks have been closed due to fallen branches.
Closure signs and blockades are being put in areas that are unsafe at this time.
All trail users are urged to use caution when using a trail that hasn’t been closed.
“The trails could be dangerous especially for motorized trail users who come up on unsafe trail conditions quickly,” said Scott Slavin, Northwest Lower Peninsula trails specialist for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “We urge off-road vehicle riders to slow down, take corners with extra caution, watch for potential hazards and stay on designated trails.”
A trail user can report any significant obstructions they come across to Jessica Roehrs at 517-331-3790 or HolleyRoehrsJ@Michigan.gov.
The DNR is also advising against riding, hiking or biking on state forest lands in the emergency area because trees are still snapping and falling.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency for the counties of Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle to help with recovery efforts after the storm caused widespread damage and left thousands without power.
The DNR shared the following resources for those interested in helping the communities that were impacted by this storm:
- Otsego Community Foundation. To give a tax-deductible donation today, choose Disaster Response Fund from the webpage’s dropdown menu. (Only cash donations are encouraged at this point because none of the jurisdictions are yet able to receive donations.)
- Michigan Volunteer Registry. This website, through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is used to register, notify and inform people who are interested in helping out in the event of a natural or public health emergency.
