Hoeft State Park finally opens for the season
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
There is another reason to celebrate this week. P.H. Hoeft State Park (HSP) is officially back in business north of Rogers City.
There was a line of campers just itching to unfold lawn chairs and make smores at the stroke of 3 p.m. when the neon “open” sign flipped on in the window of the brand-new contact station at the entrance.
To say the park opened with not a minute to spare is an understatement as a construction crew was still working in the morning of opening day and a bucket in the middle of the road had to be moved. Around 50 campers were expected to arrive on the first day and the Fourth of July weekend is full.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has made $5.4 million worth of improvements, including a new restroom/shower building, the renovation of a historic restroom, along with the installation of new water and sewer lines.
It was a project that was supposed to start in late 2024, and with further delays in 2025, the park opened and closed a handful of times until closing for the season, Aug. 14, 2025 to allow the contractor to finally ramp it up.
It is the best news for Rogers City businesses who have been hurting.
“We are so excited to welcome campers back,” said Rogers City main Street executive director Kaelie Fessler. “After a couple of seasons of limited campground use, we’re excited to see families and travelers returning to the area and enjoying everything Rogers City has to offer.
“Many visitors make Hoeft their home base while they explore northeast Michigan, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome them into our businesses, at our events, and throughout our downtown. A full campground is a benefit not only to our local economy, but to the overall energy of our community, and we’re looking forward to a busy and successful season for everyone.”
The open sign is on, but another sign is needed: “excuse the mess.”
HSP unit supervisor Randy Brown is hopeful that campers are patient as everyone, including staff, works out the kinks.
“Enjoy the fact that we did get to open and don’t mind the dust for a little while, it’s a little messy,” said Brown. “And there’s just no way around that because there was a couple of sites that I knew were pretty soft.”
The contractor reassured that sites had been compacted and were ready for customers; however, site four, right on the corner at the first turn up the hill turned into a problem from moment one.
“The first camper that went on site four, barely got back out,” Brown said. “I’m going to be calling the contractor tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and saying, ‘what’s your next plan?’ Because, otherwise we’re going to end up having to close the site. And of course, it’s booked now until the end of summer.”
Brown believes campers and staff are going to enjoy the new facilities.
“But also the part to remember is, is everything’s new and we had virtually no time to test things out and make sure everything’s working,” said Brown “We’re going to need help and will rely on campers telling us, ‘hey, this isn’t quite right.’ ”
The news is good and just in time for the busiest part of the summer calenda
