Five Michigan rest areas to shut down for the winter

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced several upcoming rest area closures that will start in December and last through April.

From December 2, 2024, through April 14, 2025, MDOT will close the following rest areas:

• St. Ignace Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Mackinac County (12 truck parking spaces)
• Ludington Rest Area on northbound US-31 in Mason County (10 truck parking spaces)
• Topinabee Rest Area on northbound I-75 in Cheboygan County (9 truck parking spaces)
• Hebron Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Cheboygan County (No truck parking spaces)
• Hart Rest Area on southbound US-31 in Oceana County (12 truck parking spaces)

The facilities will be fully closed, with all doors locked and exit and entrance ramps barricaded. 

MDOT says that the rest area closures are due to decreased use in the winter as well as safety concerns, such as steep entrance and exit drives and potentially slippery conditions on stairways between parking lots and buildings.

MDOT stresses that most of the state’s 77 rest areas will remain open throughout the winter to serve drivers.

“Many travelers look to our network of rest areas for a safe stopping point on their travels, which is why we keep as many open as possible year-round,” said MDOT Chief Operations Officer Gregg Brunner.