No More Mr. Nice Guy: Michigan State Parks Crack Down on Holiday Overcrowding and Parking Violations

For Michigan residents and visitors alike a visit to one of the state's parks is a must-do when travelling around the Peninsulas.

But the popularity of the parks does come with a cost: the trouble of overcrowding and hassles of parking.

That was just the case with one highly trafficked park in Northern Michigan over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2025.

The Holiday Huddle: Overcrowding Challenges at Michigan State Parks

It happened at South Higgins Lake State Park in the Houghton Lake region. The state addressed some concerns with visitors' actions during the summer vacation time on social media and they didn't mince words.

It appears that there was vehicles improperly parked and then towed out. Here's the message that appeared on the DNR's social media:

DNR's Direct Approach: The Social Media Stance on Parking

We have heard a LOT of talk about our park today and just to be sure everyone is on the same page.... we will do it all again tomorrow 👍 Park only in designated parking spaces, and we won't tow your vehicles.
If you disagree with how we do things, we welcome anyone to apply or volunteer with us to get the full experience our staff gets every day

The state didn't come to play on this day. Park where you shouldn't on a busy holiday and risk your car not being there when you're ready to leave. Further, if you don't like it, get a job or volunteer here and you deal with the public.

READ MORE: There Are 35 State Parks Abandoned by Michigan - What Happened to Them? + Why Are There So Few State Parks on Michigan's 'Thumb Shore?'

Public Backlash (or lack thereof): Why the DNR Found Support

Often, rightly or wrongly, the DNR takes a lot of grief. But on this Facebook thread, there appeared to be nothing but support for the park's actions.

Rules are rules. Follow them or pay the consequences

Hell yeah best park in Michigan hands down. Play stupid games get towed!

Worked there for a few years as a Teenager...Please be kind to the Rangers and all that help and work there.

The amount of irrational entitlement from vacationers is becoming a bit extreme.

And, perhaps, that last comment truly gets to the heart of the issue. It's likely - but not certain - that those who broke the rules were not locals to the Houghton Lake area but travelled from elsewhere in the state or region to enjoy the park on the holiday. Certainly being on vacation does not absolve you of the need to use common courtesy or follow the rules.

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The amount of work needed after a busy holiday weekend is certainly Herculean in nature. Consider the massive clean up needed after beachgoers trashed the sand at Grand Haven on the same weekend.

Try to vacation and not treat the place you're visiting with respect? Sounds like the state of Michigan is willing for you to, as the kids say, FAFO.