The state park will not re-open this weekend

by Peter Jakey

Managing Editor

Hoeft State Park’s reopen date has been moved to June 30 as the contractors need another nine days to complete the work.

Campers with reservations from June 21, when the park was expected to re-open, through June 29, are going to be reimbursed by Canvas, the firm that handles the reservation system. All those with reservations June 30 going forward will keep them.

“The construction got behind a little bit,” said Hoeft State park unit supervisor Randy Brown. “It’s as simple as that. They just got to finish up before we can open.”

A week ago at this time, June 21 was still looking like a target date that could be met; however, last Thursday it was determined that they were not going to make it. 

“We’re not going to make the cutoff,” said Brown. “Then it was, OK, so now we’ve got to get a hold of all of the players to make sure everything’s in order. And then didn’t get final word until this morning.” 

The general contractor is Spence Brothers Construction of Traverse City.

“Again, it’s more just the timing,” said Brown. “It’s taking them longer to do some of the stuff than what they had figured. There’s nothing nefarious at all. They just miscalculated their timing. That’s the best I can tell. I’ll give them credit. They’ve been working.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is making $5.4 million worth of improvements, including a new restroom/shower building, contact station, along with the installation of new water and sewer lines. 

The massive project was delayed late in 2024 and again through much of the 2025 camping season with the park opening and closing a handful of times.