News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Matthew McDevitt, and his dog-pal Waylon, spent Friday camping with his grandparents at the Alpena County Fairgrounds. County owned campgrounds have been busy since the start of the camping season and looks to remain that way until fall.

ALPENA — The 2021 camping season is shaping up to be a big one for the three Alpena County-owned campgrounds.

Thanks to an increase in the popularity in the recreational activity, investment into the amenities, and a host of special events, campsite availability is dwindling, especially on weekends.

The county owns Long Lake Park, Sunken Lake Park, and Beaver Lake Park, and has managers who oversee operations at each.

Grants and allocations from the county-wide youth and recreation millage has helped fund new restrooms, playground equipment, and utility upgrades.

Alpena County Commission Bob Adrian, who sits on the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the campgrounds have become very popular and the investment is paying off. He said the creativity of the camp managers, who come up with the special themed weekends, has helped to keep the campsites full.

Christmas In July, Luau Weekend, Mystery Weekend, and Halloween weekends, and many others are one the calendar and expected to fill the parks.

“They have come up with some great ideas that really bring the people out to the park,” Adrian said. “These events bring a lot of enjoyment to the campers, especially the kids, which really, is what it is all about.”

With a pair of large holidays on the horizon, getting a campsite for them now is unlikely, Adrian said. He said the holidays of Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July book fast. People who hope to get a site at the last minute may be out of luck, but he said they can call the camp managers, who may have waiting lists, in case there are cancellations.

Long Lake Park Manager Sarah Jore said there are 105 campsites at the park, and this summer has been busy, with weekends completely booked until the middle of August. She said many people from out of the area have booked sites, and many are bringing along large RVs.

“It is hard to get a site, and I think our numbers are up over the last couple years,” Jore said. “I’m seeing people from all over Michigan, and even from places from Ohio. We are seeing a lot of really large campers too.”

Adrian said more work is planned at the parks, including a large boat launch project at Long Lake Park. He said the county is trying to acquire grants that would move the boat launch from where it is now into a safer location where families aren’t walking in between the trucks, boats, and trailers launching and loading.

“That is something we are working on,” he said.

For more information on the parks and the planned events, visit the Alpena County website.