State recreation officials today announced changes within four state forest campgrounds that will impact camping use for the 2005 season.

Shelldrake State Forest Campground in the Lake Superior State Forest, Chippewa County, which closed last July to allow for the removal of hazardous trees, has reopened. All trees that were cut have either been removed or stockpiled on site for use by campers. Campers are encouraged to utilize this wood for campfires.

Improvements to the Carrieville State Forest Campground, which is popular with off-road vehicle campers, have been completed. Carrieville SFCG is adjacent to the Little Manistee ORV Trail and the ORV route’s trailhead off Kings Highway in the Pere Marquette State Forest, Lake County. "Campers will find larger campsites, newly resurfaced roads and sites, new vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings, and additional parking spaces to accommodate the ORV camper’s extra camping equipment," said Brenda Curtis, DNR recreation planner. The campground also is now compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act design guidelines.

Changes at Johnson’s Crossing Trail Camp and Lincoln Bridge state forest campgrounds are being impacted as a result of licensing requirements.

Johnson’s Crossing Trail Camp, east of Gaylord via M-32, now will be operated only as a group campground. Group camps do not have defined sites. This allows friends and groups to camp together in close proximity to each other. The seven individual campsites that once were defined in this campground will be incorporated into the group camp area. Use of the group camp area is restricted to groups of 15 or more and requires advance registration with the local management unit. Contact the Pigeon River Country Management Unit at (989) 983-4101 for registration information for this campground.

The group camping area at Lincoln Bridge SFCG in northern Lake County is being eliminated. The individual, designated campsites at this location now may be used by individuals (up to four people) or families (up to eight people). Campsites at this facility are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the Cadillac Management Unit at (231) 775-9727 for more information about this and other area campgrounds.