Traverse City State Park Is Reopening 151 Campsites for Fall

If a Traverse City State Park site slipped away from you over the past year, there is a window this fall. Michigan’s DNR is reopening 151 campsites at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park from October 8 through November 8, even though the campground is in the middle of an $8.5 million redevelopment.

Photo: Michael Denning

What’s Open and When

The 151 sites are available for stays between October 8 and November 8, 2026, through the state’s reservation system. Reservations opened at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 24. This was one of Michigan’s five most-booked campgrounds before construction began, so it is worth checking availability sooner rather than later. The full campground is scheduled to reopen in April 2027.

What’s Been Built So Far

The redevelopment began in July 2025. According to MLive, several pieces are nearly finished: a redesigned park entrance, a new at-grade pedestrian crossing, a campground contact station, a relocated park headquarters building, and an expanded sanitation station. The entrance work is meant to improve traffic flow for campers, beachgoers, and vehicles on U.S. 31, and it includes a new traffic signal.

The Beach Bridge Question

One change campers will notice: the pedestrian bridge that used to connect the campground to the beach was demolished as part of the reconstruction. After pushback from some Traverse City residents, DNR Director Scott Bowen committed to finding another location for a bridge. The DNR completed a feasibility study of state-owned property this summer, and plans for a replacement over U.S. 31 are still in development.

Timing It With the Fall Color

MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa forecasts peak fall color in the Traverse City area between October 14 and October 21. He notes that lakeshore communities can peak later than inland areas because of warmer mornings. That puts the middle of the reopening window right in the color.

The Bottom Line

This is a limited-time opening: 151 sites, a five-week window, and peak color in the middle of it. Expect some construction to still be underway around the park, and check availability now if it is on your list.

Sources

• MLive: Traverse City State Park reopens 151 campsites
• Modern Campground: Traverse City State Park to Open 151 Campsites for Fall Camping

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