Some campsites, boat launch reopened at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff reopened four campsites Monday at Emily Lake State Forest Campground.

There are a total of 10 campsites at the rustic campground, situated a few miles south ofTwin Lakes State Park in Houghton County. The campsites reopened are numbers 1, 2, 5 and 7. The six additional campsites will remain closed until restoration work is completed.

“We will still be doing work on some of the closed sites through the next few weeks as time permits, so campers should be aware of some ongoing noise during this time,” said Rich Pirhonen, DNR ranger at Twin Lakes State Park. “We hope this will not inconvenience any of our campers and we thank them for their patience.”

The DNR boat launch on Emily Lake has also been reopened.

A devastating complex of thunderstorms hit the region during the early morning hours of July 21. The National Weather Service office in Negaunee Township confirmed pockets of significant tree damage from Ontonagon east toward Baraga.

Straight line winds clocked at 90 mph were recorded at the Emily Lake State Forest Campground. Strong winds toppled trees onto power lines, knocking out utility service for more than 20,000 customers, including several state parks in the U.P.

At the Emily Lake State Forest Campground, numerous trees were felled by the wind. Falling trees cut through the shells of two travel campers at the park. Campers escaped without injury.

The campground and boat launch had since been closed as loggers worked to remove safety hazards. Along with the campground, loggers were also cleaning up about 15 acres around the boating access site area and along Pike Lake Road.

For campers with questions on reservations at any of the U.P. parks, contact the DNR’s parks call center at 1-800-447-2757 or 1-800-44PARKS.