KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Anticipating a busy Memorial Day weekend, Michigan's Department of Natural Resources said they have been preparing the state beaches and parks to make sure visitors are able to have a safe and welcoming experience.
"People are eager to want to get out to things and pick up where they were last season," said Ron Olsen, chief of the Parks and Recreation Department for the DNR.
Olsen said that many people use the holiday weekend to test out new outdoor gear and equipment, "all we tell people is to, you know, think it through and be prepared, which a lot of people are."
Olsen said available and open state campsites are at 92% occupancy, which is near the 94% occupancy they saw in 2023.
They also expect large crowds at state beaches such as Grand Haven, Holland, and Ludington.
"Water temperatures will be in the low 60s and maybe a little bit higher, depending on the particular beach you're involved in, and that's still pretty cold for some people," said Olsen.
He said people should be prepared for water temperatures that could drop, and that water temperatures can change as much as 10 degrees overnight.
At Grand Haven State Park, new beach warning signals will be operating, with a light system that mirrors that beach flag warning system, along with added signage to keep people out of the water during unsafe swimming conditions.
"Rip currents can be impactful too, so be wary of that we always tell people," said Olsen.
The DNR also wants to remind people that alcohol is prohibited at many state beaches, along with glass bottles, and while things like fights are rare occurrences, DNR officers will be patrolling beaches.
"We have had to check coolers and escalate that," said Olsen. "It's annoying for people to have to go through checkpoints and things like that, but that's not a normal thing."
"We do have our park rangers patrolling and on busy weekends, we'll have conservation officers out there."
Olsen also said DNR staffing for this season is currently at the same level as 2023, and has improved significantly since 2022.
"Our staff are eager to create a welcoming atmosphere for everybody and try it out. Make sure that things are clean and ready to ready to roll and go," said Olsen.
The DNR also looks to remind people that a number of campsites and park areas are closed this season due to construction, as they undergo revitalization efforts.
The encourage people to visit their website to view closures and plan accordingly.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.