Post by ridge on Nov 2, 2023 0:16:17 GMT -5
Six-month overnight lodging reservation window starts Nov. 1
To help streamline camping and overnight lodging reservations in Michigan state parks and recreation areas, the DNR is shortening the reservation window from 12 to six months, in a gradual process that starts Nov. 1.
That means all campground sites and overnight lodging – geodesic domes, rustic cottages, safari-style tents, tiny houses, yurts and mini cabins – will be available to reserve up to six months in advance, once the process is fully implemented this spring.
g The DNR is making the change because a large portion of customers already book overnight lodging within six months of their planned stay. Aligning all overnight reservations on the same calendar will make reservation policies more consistent, while also allowing the department to better plan for needed maintenance or construction projects that often require a longer timeline to secure funding, evaluate staff needs, line up crews and provide public notice.
“We’ve been watching booking patterns for some time now and have observed that most people book within six months of their stay," said Christa Sturtevant-Good, DNR reservation specialist. “We hope moving to the six-month window will help out customers who can’t always plan 365 days out.”
To move to the new six-month window with as little disruption as possible, the “shrinking” booking window (reducing a month at a time) will begin Nov. 1 and fully go into effect May 1, 2024. Like campsites, the new lodging inventory will then be available to reserve six months to the date in advance of a planned stay, Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.
Reservation made Latest arrival date Booking window
November 2023 Oct. 31, 2024 < 12 months
December 2023 Oct. 31, 2024 < 11 months
January 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 10 months
February 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 9 months
March 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 8 months
April 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 7 months
May 1, 2024** Nov. 1, 2024 6 months
** Starts full implementation of six-month booking window.
For more information on all overnight lodging options, reservation dates and other resources, visit Michigan.gov/DNRLodging.
Questions? Contact DNR-Reservations@Michigan.gov.
To help streamline camping and overnight lodging reservations in Michigan state parks and recreation areas, the DNR is shortening the reservation window from 12 to six months, in a gradual process that starts Nov. 1.
That means all campground sites and overnight lodging – geodesic domes, rustic cottages, safari-style tents, tiny houses, yurts and mini cabins – will be available to reserve up to six months in advance, once the process is fully implemented this spring.
g The DNR is making the change because a large portion of customers already book overnight lodging within six months of their planned stay. Aligning all overnight reservations on the same calendar will make reservation policies more consistent, while also allowing the department to better plan for needed maintenance or construction projects that often require a longer timeline to secure funding, evaluate staff needs, line up crews and provide public notice.
“We’ve been watching booking patterns for some time now and have observed that most people book within six months of their stay," said Christa Sturtevant-Good, DNR reservation specialist. “We hope moving to the six-month window will help out customers who can’t always plan 365 days out.”
To move to the new six-month window with as little disruption as possible, the “shrinking” booking window (reducing a month at a time) will begin Nov. 1 and fully go into effect May 1, 2024. Like campsites, the new lodging inventory will then be available to reserve six months to the date in advance of a planned stay, Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.
Reservation made Latest arrival date Booking window
November 2023 Oct. 31, 2024 < 12 months
December 2023 Oct. 31, 2024 < 11 months
January 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 10 months
February 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 9 months
March 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 8 months
April 2024 Oct. 31, 2024 < 7 months
May 1, 2024** Nov. 1, 2024 6 months
** Starts full implementation of six-month booking window.
For more information on all overnight lodging options, reservation dates and other resources, visit Michigan.gov/DNRLodging.
Questions? Contact DNR-Reservations@Michigan.gov.