Camping Reservations

Question

Hi!

I am planning a tent camping/ road trip through Michigan in July. State Parks and National parks/lakeshores reservations are released 6 months in advance. SO, at 10a when Sleeping Bear Dunes camping sites were released, I clicked, and the 3 available sites were gone!!! Other's must have faster wifi than me, because I watched the clock, and clicked the second it changed. I did score sites at Ludington (though not the site I wanted), as well as at Leelanau SP, instead. But again, clicked the second the clock turned 8am, and did not have good options left. I am planning on visiting the UP, and hope the situation is a little easier. I had no idea that getting MIchigan camp sites would be harder than getting T- Swift tickets!

Does anyone have any experience with continuing to check to see if there are cancellations? I would really love to camp at Sleeping Bear Dunes, but I also don't want to drive myself crazy checking every hour for the next 6 months if it's not worth it!

Answer

Camping in Michigan's State and National Parks is definitely a popular activity, and it can be quite competitive to secure a site, especially at places like Sleeping Bear Dunes. It's understandable that you’re feeling frustrated, especially after being so quick to click the moment sites were released, but still not getting the ideal options. The competition for these spots is fierce, and some people do have faster internet connections or more experience with these systems, which can make a huge difference. I’m glad to hear you managed to get sites at Ludington and Leelanau SP, though!

As for continuing to check for cancellations and whether it's worth it for Sleeping Bear Dunes, here are some thoughts and tips that might help you in your quest:

Cancellation Monitoring: It is absolutely worth checking for cancellations, as people do cancel their reservations leading up to the date, and sometimes even at the last minute. To make this process easier, you can try setting up alerts using various camping reservation websites or apps like Campendium or The Dyrt. These tools often allow you to track sites, and some may have notifications for availability updates when cancellations occur.
Be Persistent, but Smart: It’s true that checking every hour for the next six months could be exhausting, but focusing your efforts during peak times when people are likely to cancel (e.g., a few days or weeks before the date) could save you time and effort. For example, checking during the two-week window before your desired camping dates could be a sweet spot for cancellations.
Flexible Dates or Locations: If Sleeping Bear Dunes remains challenging to book, consider looking into nearby parks in the area that may have more availability. The Sleeping Bear area has other excellent campsites around Crystal Lake, Interlochen State Park, or even the Betsie River Campground. These can offer a similar experience with access to the dunes and the surrounding beauty without the ultra-competitive reservations.
Use Multiple Devices: I know it might sound a bit extreme, but using multiple devices (e.g., laptop, phone, and tablet) can sometimes increase your chances of snagging a site. In addition to this, try clearing your cache or using incognito mode to avoid any glitches during the booking process.
Reservation System Tricks: Sometimes, reservations will be released in batches. This means that a site might look unavailable at first but then show up as available again in a few minutes. Keep checking a few minutes after the original release time to catch these batches of new availability.

Additional Tips for Your Michigan Camping Trip:
- If you plan on camping in the Upper Peninsula (UP), you might have a bit more luck with availability, especially in less popular parks. Some of the parks up there are just as stunning as Sleeping Bear Dunes, such as Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, or even Isle Royale National Park, though the latter can be a bit harder to get to (via ferry or plane). Both offer beautiful hikes and a more remote experience.

While it’s certainly competitive, keep the faith! It may take persistence, but it’s certainly possible to find a great spot at Sleeping Bear Dunes or in the surrounding area if you’re flexible and ready to act quickly when cancellations pop up. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in securing your desired campsite!

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