Michigan residents would get a two-week jump on out-of-staters when making reservations at state park or forest campgrounds under a recently introduced House bill, according to MLive.com.
House Bill 4519, sponsored by state Rep. Steven Johnson, R-Wayland, would require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide a two-week window for Michigan residents to make reservations for a campground, cabin, yurt or lodge at a state park or forest before opening up reservations to nonresidents.
Currently, camping reservations for state parks can be made up to six months prior to the date of arrival. No restrictions based on residency currently exist, and the bill doesn’t specify how the state would establish proof of Michigan residency for the two-week window should the House proposal pass.
The legislation would not impact federal or local park reservations.
Johnson said his goal was to make it easier for residents to find campsites for the parks their tax dollars pay for, especially during peak times of the year. He said he’s heard from constituents that they have tried to reserve campsites at peak times as soon as they go on sale, only to see the campsites fully booked within minutes.
“Michigan state parks are paid for by the Michigan taxpayer,” he said. “In my belief, they should have the first priority for those camps, because they are owned by Michigan residents.”
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