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Old 07-01-2013, 07:56 PM   #1
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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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Old 07-01-2013, 08:43 PM   #2
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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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Old 07-01-2013, 09:07 PM   #3
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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

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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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Old 07-01-2013, 09:13 PM   #4
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Hey wlanford
We enjoy Pictured Rocks NLS and the Twelvemile Beach campground is spectacular.
Tim
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Old 07-02-2013, 04:18 PM   #5
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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!
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Old 07-05-2013, 03:43 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by jwlbal View Post
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
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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Old 07-06-2013, 07:43 PM   #7
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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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Old 07-06-2013, 08:10 PM   #8
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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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Old 07-15-2013, 06:52 PM   #9
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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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Old 07-16-2013, 05:29 AM   #10
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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,


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Old 07-16-2013, 07:35 AM   #11
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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.
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Old 07-16-2013, 08:26 AM   #12
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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
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Old 07-16-2013, 08:47 AM   #13
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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!

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Old 07-16-2013, 09:30 AM   #14
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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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Old 07-29-2013, 12:25 PM   #15
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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.
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Old 07-29-2013, 02:03 PM   #16
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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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Old 07-30-2013, 09:04 AM   #17
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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.


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Old 07-30-2013, 11:36 AM   #18
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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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Old 07-30-2013, 11:39 AM   #19
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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.
Aahhh.....that comforts me some.


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Old 07-30-2013, 12:37 PM   #20
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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.

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