Many of the roadside parks operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation in the Upper Peninsula will reopen Thursday.
However, a few will remain closed until later in the spring due to weather conditions.
MDOT plans to reopen these parks in mid-May, weather permitting, unless otherwise noted:
Alger County
– Deer Lake Roadside Park on M-28
– Kiva Roadside Park on US-41
– Scott Falls/Rathfoot Roadside Park on M-28
– Grand Island Harbor Scenic Turnout on M-28
Baraga County
– Tioga Creek Roadside Park on M-28
Chippewa County
– DeTour Roadside Park on M-134
Houghton County
– Memorial Airport Roadside Park on US-41
Keweenaw County
– Esrey Roadside Park on M-26
– Hebard Roadside Park on M-26
– Snow Gauge Roadside Park on M-26
Luce County
– Old Flowing Well Roadside Park on M-28
Mackinac County
– Cut River Bridge East Roadside Park on US-2 (closed during bridge project)
Marquette County (opening April 29)
– Lake Superior Roadside Park on M-28
– Michigamme Roadside Park on US-41/M-28
– Leif Erickson Roadside Park on M-95
Ontonagon County (opening April 29)
– Agate Falls Roadside Park on M-28
– Military Hills Roadside Park on US-45
– Watersmeet Roadside Park on US-2
– Gateway Roadside Park on US-45
In addition, the southbound I-75 rest area just north of St. Ignace, which has been closed for the season, will reopen on Friday, April 26.
MDOT maintains 32 roadside parks in the U.P. They usually close in late October and reopen in mid- to late April. While some parks will be open this week, motorists should not expect drinking water to be turned on until sometime in May, after annual testing and treatment of the park water systems is completed.
For a map and complete list of MDOT roadside parks, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDOT/0,1607,7-151-9622_11033_52552—,00.html.