Early risers will be rewarded by the Upper Peninsula. Pull into a popular trailhead lot at 9 a.m. on a July Saturday and you’ll see why. Half of the spots have been eaten. By midday, traffic is filtering down the lines, waiting for a vehicle to pull into the street.
That’s when trips get sloppy. You’re tired from the drive, the kids are hungry, and you just want a spot.
Parking isn’t the part of a trip most people plan for. It deserves a little thought, though.
Parking lots are riskier than they look
We tend to think of crashes as a highway problem. But the National Safety Council says that more than 50,000 crashes happen in parking lots and garages each year in the U.S. Those crashes lead to 500 or more deaths and over 60,000 injuries, according to CBS News reporting on the council’s findings.
Low speed doesn’t make a lot safe. Cars back out without seeing the lane. Kids sprint between bumpers. Plenty of drivers glance at their phones while hunting for a space.
Where UP lots get tricky
Some lots are harder than others, and the UP has a few that test your patience.
- Trailhead and overlook lots: Places near Pictured Rocks and Munising often have loose gravel, tight turns, and no painted lanes. Hikers walk out with backpacks and trekking poles, and they aren’t always watching for traffic.
- Waterfall lots: Tahquamenon Falls State Park is popular especially during fall color weekends. The arrival of cars comes in waves and the lot fills fast.
- Ferry docks: Summer mornings in St. Ignace mean families hauling coolers and luggage across driving lanes. Everyone is excited. Not everyone is looking.
- Downtown strips: Marquette and Houghton have busy streets with angled spaces and plenty of foot traffic. A quick reverse can go wrong in a hurry.
- Trailers and campers: Backing a rig into a small space is hard even when you’ve done it a hundred times. Add an audience and a wet gravel surface, and it gets harder.
Habits that keep your trip on track
All this is simple. Some minor routines can make a big difference.
Get up too early or too late. The 7am lot is quieter than the 11am lot. If it’s full, park out of town and walk in. You’re going hiking anyway.
Choose a pull-through space when you can, so you drive out instead of backing out. If you’re towing, ask a passenger to stand where you can see them and guide you in.
Put the phone down until the car is in park. Set your GPS before you start rolling, not while you’re circling the lot.
Before you pull out, walk around the vehicle. Watch for kids, pets, bikes, and low posts. It takes ten seconds.
On gravel or wet leaves, brake earlier than you think you need to. Stopping distance grows quickly on loose surfaces.
If a crash happens anyway
Even careful drivers get hit while parked or while pulling out. Here’s what to do.
- Check on everyone. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Move the vehicles only if it’s safe and nothing is blocking traffic.
- Exchange names, contact details, insurance info, and plate numbers.
- Take photos of both cars, the lot, any signs, and the surrounding area.
- Get names and numbers from witnesses.
- Report it to the police, then call your insurer.
Skip the blame. Stick to the facts and let the paperwork speak.
Seeing a doctor is important, even if you feel fine. Some injuries can appear a day or two later.
Fault is messier in a parking lot
On a road, lane lines and signals help sort out who did what. In a lot, there’s often no clear right of way. Two drivers can tell two very different stories, and insurers may not agree on fault.
The rules also change by state. In Nevada, for example, NRS 484E.030 says drivers involved in a crash must give their name, address, and vehicle registration number, and must help anyone who is hurt. Michigan and Wisconsin have their own requirements. Look them up before a long trip, or ask the officer at the scene what applies.
That’s general information, not legal advice.
When the crash happens closer to home
Plenty of people who visit the UP live far from it. Some fly out of busy hubs. Some drive home through cities with huge shopping centers and packed hotel lots. A fender bender in the parking lot on either end of a trip can leave you juggling medical bills, a damaged car, and calls from an adjuster.
If that happens in Nevada, a Las Vegas parking lot accident attorney can explain how claims work and what your options look like. Asking questions early is often easier than untangling a mess later.
Then get back to the good part of the trip. Park smart, lock the car, and go find the falls.
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