Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

MARQUETTE -- You have one week until Memorial Day weekend. That might be a great time to get out and do some camping.

Camping seems to be a lot cheaper; so how cheap are we talking?

Steven Szymik writes: "Is camping cheap anymore or have the rates gone the way of gas prices?"

For under $40, you can go camping at any camp site in Marquette County. At Perkins Park in Big Bay, the rates start at $16 a night for a basic tent set up. Park Manager Kim Bourgeois says they started making reservations in January.

"At this point we have about 75 percent of the sites reserved. So if people are looking to come on Memorial Day, we ask that they call soon so they can reserve the site. We have about 20 sites left," said Bourgeois.

Prices vary depending on the type of site you're looking for and what's more convenient for you. The most expensive at Perkins Park, the full hook-up pull-through site, runs $28.

The tent sites are the cheapest. The most expensive are the full hook ups which include electricity and other amenities.

You may also want to look at some other places.

Prices at Munising Tourist Park range from $20 to $35. At Van Riper State Park in Michigamme, it's $12 to $23. And Gitchee Gumee RV Park on M-28 between Marquette and Munising ranges from $24 to $39. At Tourist Park in Marquette, you can get a tent site for $18.

City of Marquette Campground Manager, Cindy Noble, says this is a great way to kickstart the summer.

"Some people are coming in wanting to try their campers out to see how they work. They might have a new camper; I had a gal call from Negaunee and just wanted to test it out for a night. That way when they get on the road, they know what they really need," said Noble.

If you're looking to enjoy some peace and quiet outdoors at a campsite this coming Memorial Day weekend, be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible.