Holly Recreation Area — Attraction in Groveland Township

Used to go here when I was a kid. Last time I've visited was back in summer 2009. Always liked the place, there's lots of different activities available. Decided to take my family, Monday August 1st. We drove down towards the Wildwood lake. Again, everything looked the same aside from seeing 2 new cabins that appeared as though they were rentable. There was a serious hornet infestation on the beach. When we first arrived, there was 3 vehicles with people around talking. My wife, youngest son, and myself (adding that I'm disabled and require forearm crutches) walked down to the small beach area, now a volleyball court. After seeing all the hornets, we made a fast reverse and decided to leave. We got up to the top of the hill only to find they locked the gate, with us inside and there is only 1 way in and 1 way out. Thank God I was able to get a couple phone towers back down by the cabins. I had to call Lansing MI DNR for them to contact the park due to their voice mail box being full and nobody answered the phone. After about 30 to 45 minutes, the ranger finally came and unlocked the gate for us. Thanked him dearly as he was a very nice and helpful man. There were no signs saying a private camping area etc. yet, we got locked in. I won't get into the personal issues encountered but will say that there needs to be a better way for them to be contacted. We could have been trapped until the people renting the place. There had been no changes since my visit in 2009 even saying permission required, gate locked, private camping only, etc. Still in awe...

Born and raised in Oakland County, I grew up enjoying Holly Rec and Groveland Oaks frequently. As I moved north, into Genesee County, I miss being so close. The park is large enough to offer diverse options for enjoying Mother Nature's beauty. Whether you're looking to catch a cropzilla or do a bit of hiking, the deeper portions will provide awesome locations. There are several lakes within the Parks boundaries, so those are also unique. The beach is ample and has always been clean and family friendly. If you're really into nature's bounty, each spring around June, the blackberry bushes line the main roads inside the park. We've of course found morels in early spring. You may run across local wildlife, man the chipmunks are thieves, so keep an eye on your picnic basket. lol. I've also had the pleasure of enjoying the campground (directly across from the main entrance for the main park. It's a perfect location being far enough away and beautifully lush areas, you'd never guess your weren't further north. As far as state parks go, this is my favorite. I hope to enjoy it for many more years. Please, keep our parks clean and never remove plants, etc.....the fruit/mushrooms are harvested so as not to harm the plants and we never take more than a gal bag or two, as the wildlife and birds love the...

camp has male park rangers that have pissy attitudes. Driving to the camp area after the ranger shack but before arriving in the camp, there is no speed limit sign. 25 mph is generally a safe speed to go if unsure about a speed. However, unbeknownst to me, I was speeding. The ranger followed me to my campsite, demanded my license and registration. I was baffled when he said I was speeding. 5mph while in the campsite area. Yep, was doing that. But there was no speed limit sign after the ranger shack leading to the camp ground. He insisted it was 10 mph. That was posted toward the front of the park, but as it was disjointed, I was lead to believe that speed was not applicable in some parts. So, after he gave me this high speeding ticket with careless driving, he told me no points would be given. I thought well at least there is a saving grace to this. After paying the ticket, get this, HE LIED. He nailed me with 3 points on my license. That wasn't my only experience with these guys. I ran into another younger one that was belittling and acted like he had something to prove. There you have it: needlessly overaggressive bored pissy park rangers. Avoid like the plague. If you want a relaxing camping trip without harassment....