Department of Natural Resources officials today announced the VanEtten Lake State Forest Campground (SFCG) in Iosco County is reopening May 15, after receiving upgrades to the campground and boat launch. VanEtten Lake was one of four state forest campground improvement projects the DNR started last summer. The improvements at VanEtten Lake were funded through the Forest Recreation Fund, Waterways Fund and a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

"This was the second and final phase of the project," said Brenda Curtis, DNR Forest Recreation planner. "The first phase was completed several years ago when a municipal water supply was extended into the campground. Additional water lines and spigots were extended into the campground during phase, and improvements to the entrance road, lakeside campsites, boat launch and parking area also were made."

The remaining construction projects are ongoing. The contractor at Ambrose Lake SFCG in Ogemaw County is now working in the back campground loop; the new front loop is being outfitted with new picnic tables and fire rings. Ambrose Lake SFCG will remain closed until the finishing touches can be completed on the front campground loop.

The construction project at Tomahawk Creek Flooding SFCG in Presque Isle County has moved to the west unit, which is now closed. In mid-May, the contractor will start working on the boat launch, which will be available for use until May 18. Work is nearly finished at the east unit, and this campground will reopen pending installation of picnic tables and new fire rings.

The DNR would like to remind campers there is an 11-site campground located south of the east unit at Tomahawk Creek Flooding SFCG that is open for use. It is adjacent to a small boat access site that will be available to campers and day-use boaters while the boat launch on the west side of the lake is being improved.

The project started last year at Pickerel Lake SFCG in Otsego County is progressing. This campground was closed last fall and will remain closed until the project is completed later this summer.

Questions concerning these improvements may be directed to Brenda Curtis at (517) 373-6260. Information about other camping opportunities in the Lower Peninsula may be found on a searchable map on the DNR's Web site at www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails, and by calling the DNR Gaylord Operations Service Center at (989) 732-3541, or the DNR Cadillac Operations Service Center at (231) 775-9727; both followed by ext. 0 for the operator.