Camping in the Lake Michigan area

[alymorales]

I live in Kansas City, MO and have always wanted to camp in the Lake Michigan area. I have a 25ft Airstream TT.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[jcanavera]

I tend to go north and stay in the Mackinaw City area https://www.google.com/search?client...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 area. There are some nice state parks along the western Michigan shore area but like anything else they book up quickly and are pretty busy. Mackinaw City has a mixture of state and private parks which seem to a little less used. Water there is cold year round, but is a nice area to visit. We did a Forums rally there once.

Jack

[karenjude]

We are usually state park campers but find the Michigan state parks sites to be too close together and packed in. I have one picture of two fire pits ( 2 different campsites) at a SP near St Ignace. They were about 5 feet from each other - too close for me. We also visited Wilderness State Park one summer and it was crazy. Ive never seen a park so packed with people and with vehicles parked all over the place. Narrow roads so the people across from us had to move one of their numerous vehicles so we could get into our site. They do have sites up above - not on the lake - but we did not see those so maybe they're better. In Michigan we tend to stay in National Forest parks ( which are great). Next time we're going to take a closer look at private parks to see if they might be less packed.

[jbroedlow]

I agree with Karen above about the closeness of the sites. We were at Ludington State Park last summer and I think I could see and smell the smoke from 3 firepits out our back window. Someone reviewing the park referred to it as being at a "tail gate" party. People, bikes, kids, cars all over the place. Like all parks, there are always some really great sites but those seem to be booked 11 months in advance. We did the whole Lake Michigan, UP thing last summer and saw a lot of great scenery, but none of it was from our Airstream. Those moments were from the truck, walking the beach or hiking to the waterfalls.

[TCwheels]

Aly - PM me and I can give you some suggestions based on what you enjoy doing. We live up north Michigan on the big lake. (Lake Michigan that is, not to be confused with the BIG lake which is Superior...) it's a Michigan thing .

[kds]

If you are in the "mood" I would strongly suggest you make a trip to Houghton. MI. The city RV park there is on one on my "top" favorite lists. From there you can take several day trips to Copper Harbor and around the Keweenaw Peninsula. You won't be sorry! Unbelievable, just unbelievable.

Enjoy your trip!

kds

[larry b]

Originally Posted by kds

If you are in the "mood" I would strongly suggest you make a trip to Houghton. MI. The city RV park there is on one on my "top" favorite lists. From there you can take several day trips to Copper Harbor and around the Keweenaw Peninsula. You won't be sorry! Unbelievable, just unbelievable.

Enjoy your trip!

kds

2nd that the Keweenaw Peninsula is the best part of Michigan in my opinon, McClain state park is simply amazing!

[karenjude]

Originally Posted by kds

If you are in the "mood" I would strongly suggest you make a trip to Houghton. MI. The city RV park there is on one on my "top" favorite lists. From there you can take several day trips to Copper Harbor and around the Keweenaw Peninsula. You won't be sorry! Unbelievable, just unbelievable.

Enjoy your trip!

kds

I agree and we love the City of Houghton RV park too. Right on the Portage Lake for kayaking and walking/ bike paths to downtown. Michigan Tech is in Houghton ( our son goes there and loves it) so there may be things going on there too. We love to go Suomi for breakfast and get their Finnish pancakes.

Copper Harbor is beautiful too. We were last there in September and the foliage on the road to Copper Harbor rivaled Vermont foliage. Beautiful colors!

[m.hony]

Illinois Beach State Park north of Chicago at Zion, Illinois is a really nice park.

[Jwestman]

Take a look at Holland State Park, Grand Haven. Further north Petoskey is pretty tight but there is a nice Emmet county park not far away on the inland waterway - Camp Pet O Sega.
Higgins Lake State Park is gorgeous and sites are larger. If you can get into the U.S. Park service full service park at Platte River near Empire - that is the gateway to the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - a really beautiful area. Drop me a note if I can be of help. We are in Grand Rapids and I have a 25.

[Sandra F]

We enjoyed Fayette State Park located next door (within walking distance)to an old restored town whose industry was smelting pig iron...very quaint, quiet and beautiful.

[Sandra F]

Check out Sylvania State Park too with several lakes for close portaging...no motors allowed.

[tjdonahoe]

We were at St Ignace,Mack island,Sault St Marie last September and it is very nice as were all the campgrounds, we thoroughly enjoyed it..a beautiful area....

[tvketchum]

The Upper Peninsula is far less crowded. Ft Wilkins SP at the end of the road (US 41 ends less than a mile from the park) is my favorite. Fresh fish from Lake Superior, the copper mining heritage, a Thimbleberry jam, the Gipper's hometown, and more is there to be enjoyed.


Tom
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[Beaker63]

Hey Alymorales,
If you're coming up on the Wisconsin side of the lake, on your way to the UP, Door County is a popular destination. There are two really nice state parks there, Potawatomi and Peninsula. You can walking to town, Fish Creek ( art and wine shops) from Potawatomi SP.There are also several county/city parks right on the lake south of Escanaba on highway 35.
Tim

[TouringDan]

We visited the UP last summer and our favorite campground was the Munising City Park and we really enjoyed the Pictured Rocks Boat Tour, late afternoon recommended. We are going back with our daughter and grand kids this summer and hope to make it to Houghton and the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Dan