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07-01-2013, 07:56 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 105
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Advice for Wisconsin/Michigan
My wife and I are planning a trip around Lake Michigan via Wisconsin, the Michigan upper peninsula and Michigan proper. We tentatively plan to camp at 3-4 spots on our route (for about a week each) and explore out from each spot. Any advice on great places to camp and/or things to do on that route. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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07-01-2013, 08:43 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2000 19' Bambi
mt. Prospect
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 829
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Check out Peninsula State Park in Door County WI. For a week long stay, it offers lots of recreational activities in the park, as well as a great location for touring WI from Green Bay to Manitowoc. Door County itself is a tourist mecca, with shops, restaurants, and beautiful scenery.
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07-01-2013, 09:07 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Dillsburg
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 11
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The Apostle Islands are definitely a worthy stop and there is a great municipal park in the town of Washburn, WI. Washburn, Wisconsin - On The Shore Of Lake Superior
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Michigan UP offers some amazing views. Great camping in the municipal park at Munising, MI. Back on the mainland, the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City offers more spectacular views. There is actually an Airstream Park near Traverse City.
It's a great trip!
John in PA
Quote:
Originally Posted by wlanford
My wife and I are planning a trip around Lake Michigan via Wisconsin, the Michigan upper peninsula and Michigan proper. We tentatively plan to camp at 3-4 spots on our route (for about a week each) and explore out from each spot. Any advice on great places to camp and/or things to do on that route. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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07-01-2013, 09:13 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1963 16' Bambi
Stevens Point
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 318
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Hey wlanford
We enjoy Pictured Rocks NLS and the Twelvemile Beach campground is spectacular.
Tim
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07-02-2013, 04:18 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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Highly, highly recommend the Apostle Islands. Bayfield, WI very nice town, and many nice state parks in UP MI. Have fun!
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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07-05-2013, 03:43 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
cincinnati
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwlbal
The Apostle Islands are definitely a worthy stop and there is a great municipal park in the town of Washburn, WI. Washburn, Wisconsin - On The Shore Of Lake Superior
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Michigan UP offers some amazing views. Great camping in the municipal park at Munising, MI. Back on the mainland, the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City offers more spectacular views. There is actually an Airstream Park near Traverse City.
It's a great trip!
John in PA
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Was going to mention the Sleeping Bear Dunes myself but you beat me to it. Shame you weren't going this weekend because tomorrow is the last day of the National Cherry Festival. Not far from the Sleeping Bear Dunes is Leland which is where my family has gone every summer for years and years. It's a small little lake town that's pretty much the definition of "quiant".
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07-06-2013, 07:43 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Classic
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 105
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Thanks for all the informative responses. We will be traveling beginning around the middle of August. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us.
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07-06-2013, 08:10 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1999 23' Safari
Perrysburg
, Ann Arbor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 916
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Depending upon where and how you like to camp, there are lots of "mostly unimproved" campgrounds in Michigan's extensive system of state forests. If you go here:
DNR - List of all Michigan State Forest Campgrounds
you will have a list of all of them by county, with a lot of other locator resources. Somewhere on the DNR site, there is an interactive map, which I think I remember has GPS coordinates for each site. There are a few of these campgrounds here and there that I could barely get to using high clearance four wheel drive pickup truck to get to and simply could not get my 23 footer into due to horrible road conditions, but most are easily accessible with a trailer your size. Many are just off of well paved roads (though some are some distance down dirt roads / tracks in various conditions). They tend to have a flat spot and perhaps a picnic table and fire pit, with a pit toilet and sometimes a hand water pump. No hookups. Usually you will find at least some other campers, and there are no reservations, but they are often on trout streams, etc.
There are also lots of "no hookup" campsites in National Forests in Michigan. If you stop in at the field office for a particular National Forest, the rangers can give you maps, directions, advice, etc.
One tip: handy in both Michigan and Wisconsin are DeLorme's state map and "Gazeteer" books ... they have pretty detailed county by county maps and list pretty much all established campsites on public land in both states and show pretty much all of the roads you can get an Airstream down (and many that you can't).
One more thing: when you encounter a sign on a Michigan forest dirt road that says something like "Road not maintained" - then proceed with great caution if you're then towing. I've seen a few that just ended in a swamp or impassable soft sand. Take a long look at the maps and know your towing limits and you will have some fun adventures.
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07-15-2013, 06:52 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2005 19' Safari
ishpeming
, Michigan
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 63
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Marquette,MI
FWIW check out the WI airstream club. I believe they have a rally in mid August at Tourist Park. Just sayin, and Marqueete is really beautiful Plus it's on the way to Pictured Rocks on M28.......
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07-16-2013, 05:29 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,067
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We love driving the Lake Superior shore from west to east, using the many, inexpensive city/county campgrounds. Simple, few amenities but right on the lake. Water and electricity, pit toilets, etc. Perfect for us.
The Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Bay is very interesting, and worth a stop.
Fort Wilkins SP in Copper Harbor, MI, at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is beautiful, and the St..Croix National Scenic River in Wisconsin looks worth a peek. We have not been there, yet, but intend to check it out this trip.
We'll be up there in August, as well, will give a wave!
Travel safe,
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-16-2013, 07:35 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
Currently Looking...
Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,935
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Don't forget about Milwaukee. You can stay at the State Fair campgrounds right in the city and on a bus line which can take you to all of the sites, like the world famous Calatrava designed art museum, Harley Museum, Milwaukee Zoo, The loosing Brewers but the Nation's best stadium, Miller Park. Then there is the Lake Front and plenty of beer everywhere you go.
__________________
Chaplain Kent
Forest River Forester 2501TS
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07-16-2013, 08:26 AM
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#12
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,403
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One of our favorite places is Wagon Trail Campground up in Door County Wi, just outside of Sister Bay. Door County Camping - Wagon Trail Campground
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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07-16-2013, 08:47 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
Lexington
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,986
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I also vote for the Keweenaw Peninsula and Copper Harbor. Stop at the Poor Rock
Abbey Jam Pot store on your way up or back. Well worth the stop for unusual and yummy jams and other goodies. It's right on 26 on your way up the Peninsula.
There are several stopping places to swim in Lake Michigan along Hwy 2 in the UP along where Hwy 2 is next to the beach. Also several National Forest campgrounds are there: they tend to be busy in the summer but right on the beach.
Tahquamenon Falls up Hwy 123 west of Sault Ste. Marie on Whitefish Bay is also a great place to visit and stay at, and the falls are very pretty and scenic.
Up 94 from Manistique is Palms Book State Park. There is no camping there, but there IS a VERY deep spring fed pond that is extremely clear, has some HUGE fish in it and you can cross it on a big raft and see all the way down. It is a very cool thing to do.
Have fun!
Kay
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07-16-2013, 09:30 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
1954 22' Flying Cloud
Saline
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 854
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Kay that is one of our favorite spots and we are 'dyed in the wool' Michigan vacationers. Thumbs up for anywhere in the Keweenaw. Mines , lots of waterfalls great hiking trails, light houses, etc. Also Bay de Noc area is a must see, and Fayette St. Park is another great camp ground ( on the Garden Peninsula), another is Seney Wildlife Refuge. And yes , please pick up a DeLorme Mich. Atlas and Gazetteer, it is fantastic for locating all those out of the way touristy sites.
"If you seek a pleasant peninsula look about you" - Michigan state motto
Barry & Karen
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07-29-2013, 12:25 PM
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#15
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Retired Fishing Guide
2005 28' Classic
Port O'Connor
, Republic of Texas
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 279
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Doug & Maggie , you are absolutely correct about the Ship Wreck Museum at Whitefish Point. "Broom" and I spent the biggest part of a day going through it and the grounds there. This South Texas Lad had NO idea there are that many ships lying on the bottom of Lakes Superior & Michigan. Thanks for letting us know about.
__________________
Cap-N-Red
2018 GMC CC D/A
2005 28' Classic
WBCCI # 3133
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07-29-2013, 02:03 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Youngstown
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
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Loved Sleeping Bear Dunes, the many lighthouses, wine country, Coast Guard Museum and Tall Ships in Traverse City area. Stayed at the State Park.
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07-30-2013, 09:04 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,067
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We loved Sleeping Bear Dunes, too,but the sinkhole that swallowed up the little boy a couple of weeks ago was frightening. We had that on our radar for a trip with the grandchildren.
Re the St. Croix national scenic river, it is quite lovely but set up for tents, only. Sites are accessible from the river, with signs as to what is available, etc.
Spent last night tucked into a shady area at a landing on the river.
Red, sent you a pm.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-30-2013, 11:36 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
1954 22' Flying Cloud
Saline
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 854
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If I remember right it was a posted area that the kids shouldn't have been in. Sleeping Bear is a great place to camp, and look for stones.
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07-30-2013, 11:39 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goshawks00
If I remember right it was a posted area that the kids shouldn't have been in. Sleeping Bear is a great place to camp, and look for stones.
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Aahhh.....that comforts me some.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-30-2013, 12:37 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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One of my favorite places is Higgens Lake in Roscommon, Mi. National Geographic considers it the 7th most beautiful lake in the world. Visibility is 25 ft. Go out 100 yds and the water is up to your knees. Go another 100 yds and the water is up to your chest. Then it gets deep- 150 ft. Great for swimming.
Beautiful sunsets and two large state parks.
Dan
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