The Department of Natural Resources today announced the temporary closure of Gene's Pond State Forest Campground beginning Friday, Nov. 6. The campground is located approximately 12 miles east of Sagola on Leeman Road in Dickinson County.

This temporary closure is caused by a commercial timber sale designed to remove hazardous trees from the property. According to Steve Milford, state forest unit manager in the DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division, the commercial timber sale was the most cost-effective and efficient method of removing the trees. The closure is necessary to protect the safety of potential campers and the campground is expected to reopen by Nov. 13.

Nearby state forest campgrounds recommended as alternate camping sites include Glidden Lake or Deer Lake in Iron County, Carney Lake in Dickinson County, and Squaw Lake or Anderson Lake in Marquette County.

For more information about the temporary closure, contact Milford at (906) 875-6622. Maps of state forest campground locations can be found online at www.michigan.gov/dnrcamping or at any DNR Operations Service Center.