GAYLORD — The Michigan Department of Transportation will keep most of its 61 rest areas open through the winter, closing only five locations beginning Dec. 1 due to reduced seasonal use and safety concerns.

MDOT said in a Nov. 25 news release that the five seasonal sites will close from Dec. 1, 2025 through April 20, 2026.

The closures occur annually because of steep or icy entrance and exit drives and potentially slippery stairways between parking lots and rest area buildings.

The following rest areas will close for the season:

St. Ignace Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Mackinac County

Ludington Rest Area on northbound US-31 in Mason County

Topinabee Rest Area on northbound I-75 in Cheboygan County

Hebron Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Cheboygan County

Hart Rest Area on southboun

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