Jordan Beck | Daily Press Delta Conservation District Executive Director Rory Mattson looks at a site in Pioneer Trail Park where the district plans to install the first of 10 rustic cabins. Current plans call for six of these cabins to be installed at Fuller Campground and four to be added to Pioneer Trail Park.

ESCANABA — As part of ongoing efforts to expand its options for people camping in the area, the Delta Conservation District (DCD) is looking to install 10 rustic cabins in county parks later this year. The addition of these cabins will be supported by a fundraising campaign.

Current plans call for six rustic cabins to be installed at Fuller Campground and four to be added to Pioneer Trail Park.

“The ones at Pioneer will overlook the river,” DCD Executive Director Rory Mattson said.

At Fuller Campground, the cabins will be located on a hemlock ridge.

Each cabin will have two loft areas for sleeping and/or storage, a bedroom, a living area and a porch. They can each provide space for up to six people.

The possibility of adding rustic cabins to county parks had been discussed by DCD and Delta County officials for years, and cabins were included in the district’s 20-year plan for the parks. Mattson said the district believes cabins could attract tourists and locals who are interested in camping — but do not own an RV or camper — to county parks.

“Campers are very expensive, so if you don’t go a lot, it’s a big investment to go camping every once in a while,” he said.

In March, plans to add rustic cabins to county parks began moving forward after Mattson visited Petoskey.

“I found a place that had a whole bunch of these little cabins for sale — they build them along the road there,” he said.

He was surprised at the price of these cabins, which can be built and delivered to the parks for about $7,000 per cabin.

When they arrive, the DCD will install a base pad, fire ring and picnic table for each cabin. It will also install an additional wall inside each cabin and add interior furnishings.

With the additional work taken into account, the cost per cabin is estimated at $9,000. This is still far lower than the district thought it would have to pay for rustic cabins. Originally, it believed these would cost $18,000 to $19,000 each.

At first, the district planned to buy the cabins over time. However, it found that purchasing multiple cabins at the same time would make more sense financially.

“The more we buy, the better rate we can get per cabin, and also the delivery fee goes way down,” Mattson said.

Mattson said the district is not seeking funding from the county for the rustic cabins due to the effects of COVID-19.

“Right now, especially with the virus and stuff, every unit of government’s looking at a shortfall,” he said.

A fundraiser in support of the cabins is set to officially begin in about a month. In the meantime, the district is planning to purchase a rustic cabin and install it at Pioneer Trail Park.

“Anybody who wants to donate can come and see it,” Mattson said.

A member of the Delta County Board of Commissioners will also be involved with fundraising efforts.

“Dave Rivard and his wife are going to go out and talk to community leaders and businesses,” Mattson said.

Mattson noted donors who give $9,000 or more to the fundraiser will be able to have their name or their business’ name displayed on the front of a cabin.

Currently, the DCD is hoping it will be able to install all 10 cabins by fall.

“It’s going to depend on donations,” Mattson said.

For questions, or to make a donation, call 906-786-1020 or send an email to parks@deltacountymi.org.