What are the current reservation and closure updates at Hickory Oaks Campground?

Updated

Hickory Oaks Campground is not taking any additional reservations beyond those already booked for October, and the campground shuts down completely from October 12, 2026 through March 1, 2027. If you want to camp in 2027, your reservation request must be dated March 1, 2027 or later to be reviewed — the 2027 season itself is expected to begin in early to mid-May, depending on weather.

Key dates at a glance

Date / period What it means
Through October 2026 No new reservations accepted beyond existing October bookings
End of September 2026 Northwoods showerhouse shuts down
October 12, 2026 Campground closes and shuts down completely
October 12, 2026 – March 1, 2027 No reservations accepted; email responses very limited
March 1, 2027 onward New 2027 reservation requests can be dated and reviewed
Early to mid-May 2027 Expected start of the 2027 camping season (weather dependent)

Why October bookings are being limited

The campground is beginning its shutdown process, which is why no further October reservations are being taken. The posted update notes this is tied to the family starting to shut the campground down, and asks campers to consider joining for the 2027 season instead.

What October campers should know about water and showers

If you already hold an October reservation, the water at campsites may need to be shut off depending on frost conditions. Two specific points from the update:

  • The northwoods showerhouse closes at the end of September.
  • Water at the main office showers stays on as long as weather allows.

If the campground does shut off water to protect lines from bursting, campers already booked have two options:

  1. Stay — receive a 25% refund of the total bill.
  2. Cancel — receive a full refund.

The update notes that in past years it stayed warm enough to keep the lines running, so this is a possibility being flagged in advance rather than a certainty.

Planning for 2027

Because the campground has no regular office hours and no staff answering phone calls, email is the contact route: [email protected]. Two practical consequences follow from the closure window:

  • Any 2027 reservation request dated before March 1, 2027 will not be reviewed.
  • Email responses will be very limited during the shutdown, so expect delays if you write between October 12 and March 1.

Cancellation policy change for 2027

Starting May 2027, the cancellation policy becomes stricter. For regular camping, the posted terms are:

  • 10+ days' notice — full refund.
  • Under 10 days' notice — no refund.

The update states this change came from lessons learned with the current system and the need to be firmer about last-minute cancellations. If you are booking for 2027, treat the 10-day mark as the cutoff that determines whether you get money back.

Quick checklist before you email

  • Confirm your intended dates fall on or after March 1, 2027.
  • If you already have an October 2026 booking, watch for word on whether campsite water will be shut off, and decide between the 25% refund (stay) or full refund (cancel).
  • Send requests to [email protected] and allow extra time for a reply during the shutdown period.