Michigan and Wisconsin in Summer

[TouringDan]

If you have the flexibility it would be best to travel in the UP after July 15. After the black flies and mosquitoes are gone.

Recommend the Munising City Park and the Grand Marais Campground. Also recommend the National Forest Campgrounds. Filling the water tank can be a problem though.

Recommend Browns Fishmarket close to Tahquamenon Falls in Paradise, Mi.

Recommend the Pictured Rocks Boat Tour. Go late afternoon.

Dan

[cando]

See all you have been told about, but also check out Bewabic State Park in Crystal Falls, The River Mouth State Park outside of Paradise is a short bike ride to many interesting things like the Shipwreck museum and a restaurant that serves fresh whitefish open daily until the daily catch is sold out (sometimes as early as 3pm). Don't forget the Tourist Park in Marquette it is close to many interesting things around the city. If you are a movie buff, watch the 50's movie Anatomy of a Murder based on a true story by Robert Trailer. you can go from Marquette up to Big Bay and see the old Inn, now restored and stay in the Tourist Park there. For all there is to see and do in the UP, remember that the stories of mosquitoes and flies are usually true at least the end of July. I hope you'll find like I have the UP in the summer and fall can be one of the most interesting and beautiful places on earth.

[Dingo Girl]

The only downfall of the UP in the summer are the black flies & the ticks. We only get a couple of weeks a year on average of the 90s & high humidity...

[Skycar]

I love camping in Michigan and a fun place to visit is Hell! One summer I went to Hell and later went to Paradise Newfoundland. That way I could say I've been to Hell and back!

[Minno]

And stop at the Jam Pot in the Keewenaw Peninsula: run by monks and has awesome jams.

Kay

[Chaplain Kent]

Wisconsin once had some of the finest state parks in the country and I would have been proud to recommend any number of them to you; however, after almost eight years of austerity and other drastic moves to cut employees the parks have declined. We volunteered as camp hosts for more than twelve years but will no longer use the state parks in Wisconsin. The latest move was to take away law enforcement authority from the park rangers and the criminal element did not take long to figure it out. Last summer I was responsible, as a volunteer, for security in the campground overnight. I had no back up from local police since park rules are different from city laws. The campground was not safe. We visited another park which had no running water since the budget did not allow them to repair the pump. I can go on with horror stories from other parks and the one we hosted at but best said stay away from Wisconsin State Parks. In fact our roads have also gotten so bad it is difficult to drive through the state. I would not want to take Rte 42 north out of Manitowoc. Sadly there is a State Park just north of Manitowoc which was once beautiful and well maintained but now is shabby and severely understaffed.
My recommendation is to skip the Badger, stay in Michigan.

[RxGuy]

Originally Posted by Minno

And stop at the Jam Pot in the Keewenaw Peninsula: run by monks and has awesome jams.
.
Kay

Good advice, we have been there many times.

[JCWDCW]

One of our favorite trips was from Thunder Bay Ontario through Minnesota and Wisconsin into the UP on the way home to Southern Ontario. Lots of campgrounds along both Hwy 28 and Hwy 2. Others have covered their choices. In northern Wisconsin be aware the the Deer Ticks carry Lyme disease (very serious vector here for Lyme). Have your pets vaccinated for Lyme. You need to check carefully after a walk in high grass or the woods; I found a tick on both the dog and me after 24 hours. Dog is fine. Me ...I had to go and get medication to ward off potential trouble. Check early and often. If you remove a Deer Tick within 24 hours it is usually OK . The infection usually occurs at the end of the feeding when the tick is ready to fall off. If you get a tick, you need to remove it by tugging on the head with tweezers (or the Vets can give you tick removal tools when you get the pet vaccinated) and pull gently to make sure the mouth parts come out too. Lyme Disease is a serious debilitating problem, not to be ignored.
That being said, the UP is a wonderland if you take the time to explore
JCW

[AirDFW]

Originally Posted by RxGuy

If you go to the Keweenaw Peninsula, I would suggest:

Copper Harbor: Just past Copper Harbor is the end of US-41.

http://copperharbor.org/

That you explore/drive Brockway Mountain Drive.

Fort Wilkins State Park: If you don't wish to camp there, at least visit.

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandt...pe=SPRK&id=419

Also there is the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse:

http://www.keweenawhistory.org/sites/lighthouse.html

The Keweenaw Peninsula (Houghton, Hancock and Calumet areas) are in what is known as Copper Country. The area was heavily mined for copper back in the day. I believe there are some mine tours available in Hancock.

Calumet has: Keweenaw National Historical Park

https://www.nps.gov/kewe/index.htm

If you camp at a Houghton/Hancock RV park, that would be a good home base to see the Keweenaw Peninsula.

If you go to the eastern UP, visit:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:

https://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm

Tahquamenon Falls State Park:

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandt...=428&type=SPRK

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum:

http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/

Soo Locks:

http://www.saultstemarie.com/attractions/soo-locks/

If you have never gone through locks, they offer boat tours through the locks. If you like gambling, there is a casino near Brimley.

Go see the Mackinac Bridge:

http://www.mackinacbridge.org/

There is a state park immediately by the bridge; Straits State Park:

http://www.michigan.org/property/straits-state-park/

If you go as far as the Mackinac Bridge, you might as well go to Mackinaw Island State Park:

http://www.mackinacparks.com/parks-a...nd-state-park/

Also there is a historic fort in Mackinaw City, technically it is not in the UP but it's only 5 miles over the bridge to get there.

Try some pasties.....

http://www.mackinawpastie.com/

Hope this helps.

I grew up in Michigan and now live in TX. Michigan weather in Summer will be a nice break for anyone coming from South of the Mason Dixon line. I don't have a POV on specific campgrounds, but below would be a nice trip if you'd like to start in Lower Michigan, drive to the Upper Peninsula, and return through Wisconsin. All stops could keep you busy at least 2-3 days:

Start Michigan:
Grand Haven
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Traverse City
Ft. Mackinaw / Mackinaw Island (actually visit the island)
Pictured Rocks Lakeshore / Grand Island (same as above)
Marquette
End Michigan:

Start Wisconsin:
Green Bay or Appleton
Anywhere on lakeshore Manitowoc through Milwaukee area
Lake Geneva
End Wisconsin:

That would keep you busy for 2-3 weeks and would be an incredible trip. Total drive time probably not more than 2-3 days, so rest will be exploring.

[tburnand]

Thank you all for your responses about our summer travels to Michigan and Wisconsin. Every post has been most helpful in our planning.

[tvketchum]

There is a great township park at L'Anse, where you can day trip the surrounding areas to see the sights and legacy of Henry Ford and his impact on the area. Copper Harbor, at the tip of the Keewenaw hosts Ft Wilkins State Park. The fort is a pre Civil War structure, offering a glimpse into the history of the region and daily life. Calumet hosts the Keewenaw Historic Park, providing information on the copper mining history of the region. Nearby, George Gipp, the Gipper, was born and raised. McLain State Park is the home of the Superior Sunset, when weather allows. Solitude, scenery, and adventure await you. Just bring bug spray, and enjoy the pasties for a meal, the fresh Lake Superior whitefish, and the friendly folks of the UP.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Tom

[AirDFW]

The pasties are a must do!

[tburnand]

If we stay at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Is there a certain section that you like better to camp?
Thanks

[Tomzstream]

AirVenture is shaping up to be a real good one this year with the Apollo 50th Anniversary and several WWII Warbird 75th anniversaries as well. There is camping available onsite. Very Aluminum friendly. https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/pl...ng-information