Upper Peninsula Michigan

woodedareas · 07-09-2008, 09:03 AM

Next month we will be spending about 3 days in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and since we have never been there before we were wondering if anyone has any thoughts about areas that we should visit or areas that we should avoid. We would appreciate any recommendations.

**moosetags** · 07-09-2008, 09:31 AM

We spent some time in the UP last October. We stayed at the St. Ignace KOA which is not far from the Mackinac Bridge. It was very nice with 5 point hook-ups. We were their last campers of the season. The Bridge itself is an experience while pulling an Airstream. It is slightly unnerving, but worth the effort. The views are spectacular.

Most of the tourist stuff had already closed for the season when we were there.

pmclemore · 07-09-2008, 09:40 AM

Tahquamenon Falls SP near Paradise will be a great place to spend 3 days. Lots to see, good hiking, and not too far away. Go to the museum at Whitefish Point for artifacts from the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Pat

sander17 · 07-09-2008, 10:24 AM

If you want to stay near Mac Island, there is Brevort lake National Forest campground near St. Ignace. No hookups, but very nice with a lake and big sites. (See campground reviews)

If you go near Houghton/Hancock, you could take the ferry to Isle Royale National park to see the moose.

You picked a great month to visit the UP. By august, all the black flies are gone and the weather is much more stable than earlier in the summer.

Have a great time!

Aage · 07-09-2008, 10:25 AM

Da Youpers are great people. It's just the 'skeeters you got to watch out for, they're like t'carry ya off!

airedale · 07-09-2008, 10:46 AM

White Fish Point!!!! Thats a great place, Mackinac is a cool place and the Soo Locks are cool, I was just up there yesterday! Have a good time.

Steve & Susan · 07-09-2008, 11:00 AM

There's a nice KOA in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.
The Valley Camp Ore Boat museum, the Soo Locks boat tour, the Agawa Canyon train ride and the Casino in Sault Ste. Marie - all are great fun. Pulling your AS across the Mackinac bridge is a snap - just stay away on Memorial Day (or is it Labor Day?) - seems the Youpers have nothing better to do thatn walk across the bridge. It makes a 15 minute drive into several hours as they close half the lanes!
Have a great trip - it's a BEEYOUTIFUL part of the country!

drag'nwagon · 07-09-2008, 11:20 AM

The real UP starts in Marquette, head north from there up US-41, and you will find yourself in a different place and time! If you are coming in from the west I highly reccomend Porcupine Mt. state park (aka Porkies).

loudruff · 07-09-2008, 11:46 AM

A couple of years ago, Larry and I stayed at a beautiful little municipal park on Lake Superior at Grand Marais. Rt. 77 north end dead ends at the Lake. We were on the way to see the Grand Sable Dunes. Very nice little park with hookups and even cable tv hook up. We started at Marquette and went east from there and saw the sights all along the way. Lots to see and a very pretty drive.
Lou

woodedareas · 07-10-2008, 06:07 PM

Thanks for all the great suggestions. We will be staying at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Hope I spelled that correctly. We will also be staying for one night in Rapid River at Wispering Valley RV Park. I will be driving from Door County and instead of going to Tahquamenon in one shot I thought I would stop in between at Rapid River. Our first 2 days will be in Door County at the WagonTrail RV Park. We were there last year and it was great. I love the fried perch and cherry pie available in the area. Good thing my cardiologist is around.

airedale · 07-10-2008, 06:42 PM

The Tahquamenon Falls are really close to White Fish Point, so you know, I think its less than 30 minutes, you should check it out!

Tom Nugler · 07-10-2008, 08:14 PM

Ya, don forget to try a pastie, uh.

What's a pastie? Mackinaw Pastie and Cookie Co.
Have one for me. OK.

Tom.

AirsDream · 07-10-2008, 08:35 PM

Go here: Campgrounds and State Parks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

If you can get into the Bay Furnace Campground just west of Christmas (just west of Munising), it's definitely worth it ... primitive and so not usually too crowded, and it's RIGHT ON Lake Superior. First come, first served here.

Try driving between Grand Marais and Munising on H58, after checking with locals on road conditions. Also, in the Grand Marais / Munising area, there are several really nice waterfalls that you can walk to (I'm an inveterate waterfall hiker!) - though these are short walks. Try Googling "Sable Falls," "Chapel Falls," and "Mosquito Falls." All three are nice. Beware that the roads to these are not all suitable for RVs ... a reasonable tow vehicle ought have no problem, but sometimes there is quite a bit of loose, soft sand. There are LOTS of other waterfalls along the south coast of Superior, and of course, Taquahmenon falls south of Whitefish Point.

UpNorthAir · 07-10-2008, 09:53 PM

If you get to the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) Try grabbing a bite at The Antlers

. Here is a link to thier web site: AntlersGiftShop.com -- Antlers Restaurant and Gift Shop -- Home Page

If you are a kayaker or hiker Pictured Rock Lake Shore is awesome.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)

Have fun and enjoy the U.P. it is a really kewl place.