One of Michigan’s Most Popular Campgrounds to Close Until 2027

Yesterday was the last day that one of Michigan's most popular campgrounds would be open for the next year and a half. Staff braced for the Fourth of July and National Cherry Festival crowds for one final weekend before closing the gates at Traverse City State Park, as the park begins significant improvements.

Get our free mobile app

Construction is a natural part of Michigan summers, but these upgrades are more than just general maintenance around the park. No, we're talking about an $8.5 million "transformation" of the campground area that will reshape and update the campground in the most significant project the campground has seen since its opening.

Why Traverse City State Park Is Closing

One of the biggest issues at the campground, which has ~350 campsites, is traffic congestion. Since its last update in 1983, nearly 50 years ago, the campground has experienced a surge in popularity, struggling to keep pace with the increased demand.

READ MORE: Michigan May Soon Require $10 Recreation Passport

The entrance to the campground has been plagued by traffic congestion, resulting in long lines that extend onto the main road, as shown below. Additionally, exiting the park encountered its delays due to wait times associated with using the park's sanitation station to dispose of camper waste.

What’s Included in the $8.5M Upgrade

To address these traffic issues, the campground is introducing a newly designed entrance and removing a popular pedestrian bridge that previously crossed U.S. 31, making the area more accessible to all campers. This change will also enable the installation of a pedestrian crossing and traffic signal on the road.

A new campground contact station will also be established, and the park headquarters building will be relocated to a different location within the park. Additionally, the intersection of Three Mile Road and U.S. 31 will be reconstructed.

The day-use area along the beach on Lake Michigan will remain open during construction. The campground is closed for the rest of the year, all of 2026's camping season, and is expected to be open for 2027.