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05-18-2016, 05:57 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2016 27' International
Charlottesville
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 21
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Headed over Lake Michigan / Northern Michigan Camping
My wife and I are finishing a long trip out west and plan to make our way back to Virginia by going over Lake Michigan to then see Traverse City and then Grand Rapids, etc. We are looking for good spots in northern Michigan on the western / northern side of Lake Michigan. We have heard really good things on this forum about the Keweenaw Peninsula, specifically the City of Houghton RV Park, and are looking for other ideas.
We are starting this leg in Rochester, MN (will suck up a long driving day to get up there) and then have five nights to play with. One potential itinerary is Rochester to: (1) Houghton (a painful 6:45), then three nights camping in Houghton and exploring the Penninsula; then on to Hiawatha National Forest (~3:15) for 2 nights of hiking and exploring; and then over to Traverse City (~4:30).
We would appreciate any thoughts on this as well as must-see sites/hikes or favorite campgrounds. Thanks!
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05-18-2016, 06:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,193
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There's lots to see and do in the Keweenaw peninsula. I have tent camped at McLain State Park, on the Superior shore west of Hancock. It was cool & windy there; the park in Houghton is inland and gets less wind. I don't know if McLain has sites big enough for RVs.
My recommendations for sites to see: scenic drive to Copper Harbor, Ft. Wilkins, Brockway Mountain, Estivant Pines, harbor cruise in Copper Harbor, the various parts of the Keweenaw Historic National Park, a mine tour, the Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech, Hungarian Falls.
I grew up in Houghton but haven't been back much in the last few decades.
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05-18-2016, 08:20 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 

2006 22' Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,348
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Go to the Shipwreck Museum on Whitefish Bay.
Maggie
__________________
🚐 Interstate Owner Emeritus 🚐
🌹 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last. 🐚
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05-18-2016, 08:39 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member 
1975 31' Sovereign
Prudenville
, Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 49
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Lots of wine in the peninsula. It's just beautiful. Sleeping Bear Dunes is awesome. Traverse City has a huge state park. There seems to be endless campgrounds in Michigan.
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05-18-2016, 09:09 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
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The UP and the Keweenaw Peninsula are among our favorite places.
First thought, if you don't want to drive all the way from Rochester to Houghton in one shot, there are nice and inexpensive city park campgrounds along your route, Curry Park in Ironwood and Sunday Lake at Wakefield to name two. Both campgrounds are right on the highway.
The Houghton City RV Park is nice, and right on the Portage River (variously known as "canal", "lake", and "river" depending on where you are on it) but it's basically a parking lot; not much in the way of trees or dog walking grass and no restrooms or showers. It is, however, within walking distance of the downtown Houghton restaurants and bars. If you camp there, do get over to the Ambassador for dinner one night.
We prefer the Hancock Recreation Area right across the river. It has roomy wooded spots, lots of trails, and nice restrooms and showers. Also economical; $25 a night as I recall. And, if you are going to spend your time touring around the Keweenaw Peninsula, staying at Hancock puts you north of the river and congestion on the lift bridge.
http://www.cityofhancock.com/recreat...campground.php
I second all sights to see mentioned previously, and would add,
Do the Quincy Mine tour, just north of Hancock. http://quincymine.com/
And stop at the Jam Pot, a unique bakery run by the Holy Transfiguration Skete of the Society of Saint John. Their stuff is expensive, but there is always a line at the cash register! http://www.societystjohn.com/index.php
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05-18-2016, 09:11 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
Hampton
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,127
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__________________
Brad (The Slowsky's)
2019 Airstream Classic 30RBT, 2021 Ford F350 King Ranch 4X4 w/6.7L Diesel, Hensley, ACI #1313
travelwiththeslowskys.com
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05-18-2016, 09:12 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1970 23' Safari
2005 30' Classic
1986 31' Sovereign
Lorain
, Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,645
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I really enjoy the Indian casinos on the UP. They practically pay you to camp!
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05-19-2016, 01:28 PM
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#8
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From Beautiful Egg Harbor
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Egg Harbor
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 21
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Sound like a great plan. If you're traveling before June 20 the lilacs will be in full bloom at many places. Mackinaw Island along the way (ferry boat ride at either side of the bridge) is well worth the visit and features a Lilac Festival in June.
Fayette State Park, also on the way on the Garden Peninsula is very interesting; here's the link: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandt...=417&type=SPRK
Michigan does have a fine DNR web site describing all the state parks and great reservation system, if needed.
In summer we do our camping on the water and cruise from Door County Wisconsin to our favorite places, all recomendable for day-trips, or stay-overs: Traverse City (National Cherry Festival early July), Charlevoix, Petosky, and Harbor Springs.
Too bad you don't have a handful of weeks, and spend some time in Wisconsin too!
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05-19-2016, 03:02 PM
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#9
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New Member
2018 30' International
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 4
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Northern Michigan/Traverse City area
My wife and spend summers in Traverse City and know the area very well. You might want to consider Lake Leelanau RV Park. Very well-run campground with lakefront sites and is very centrally located for visiting Leland, TC, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Glen Arbor. There are a number of wineries in this area as well, including almost 40 within 30-45 mins drive. The venues are getting better every year.
Hope you have a great trip!
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05-19-2016, 06:42 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member 
2003 25' Safari
Grayling
, Michigan
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 76
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Another campground to consider in Traverse City is Holiday Park whiçh is a Michigan Airstream Park. Up until about 5 years ago, Airstreams were the only type of RV allowed in the park. Since that time, it is now open to other RVs.
The park has full hook-ups and it is located south of the city and almost midway between Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City on Silver Lake. We are camped at the park right now and it is beautiful here with lots of trees in bloom. Hope you consider that.
Another park to consider in the Keewanaw is the Hancock City Park whiçh is across the river from Houghton. There are a few beautiful sites there that are right on the water and the rates are very reasonable.
Also, when we are in the U.P., we love staying in Marquette at Tourist Park. Marquette is home to Northern Michigan University and is located on Lake Superior.
Munising also has a very scenic Township Park located right on Lake Superior.
In Mackinaw City, we like to stay at the TeePee Campground. It's a small family owned campground right on Lake Huron. It is also within walking and/or biking distance to downtown restaurants and the ferries to Mackinac Island.
Anyway, we have wonderful parks and wildnerness areas in Michigan and I hope that you have a wonderful visit.
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05-22-2016, 08:38 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member 
2008 27' International FB
Oklahoma City
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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We were not in an rv, we rented a sailboat in Traverse city a few years back. We thought Traverse City was a nice place. Charlevoix and Petosky are very nice areas. We spent a few days in Charlevoix and thought it was just about the neatest small city we had been in.
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