Wisconsin/Michigan/Indiana/Illinois August Road Trip

[ctbruce]

We are taking a 2 week road trip this coming August to get out of Kansas City. Here is where we will be staying. Does anyone have any input on these parks?

1. Fox Trail RV Park, Baraboo, WI
2. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, Mackinaw City, MI
3. Timber Ridge, RV and Recreation Resort, Traverse City, MI
4. Oak Grove Resort Campground, Holland, MI
5. Timberline Valley Rv Resort, Anderson, IN
6. Coles Creek Recreation Area, Carlyle, IL

What will the weather be like 2nd and 3rd week of August in Wisconsin Dells and Michigan? Your input appreciated. :cool:

[kfxgreenie]

Anywhere from 70-100, anything from sunny to cloudy, and could be rainy, although it is usually a little drier that time of year. Does that help you on the weather? :lol: Sorry its a crap shoot

[ctbruce]

Anywhere from 70-100, anything from sunny to cloudy, and could be rainy, although it is usually a little drier that time of year. Does that help you on the weather? :lol: Sorry its a crap shoot

Hopefully it will be cooler than Kansas City in August. That is along the lines of what I was thinking it may be. Thanks

[busterbrown]

Mackinaw Mill Creek is a great campground. Extremely large and right on the waterway. If you get a lakeview site, you'll have a wonderful view of the bridge. Lots of pedal bikes as it's the best mode of transportation on the property. Pool area is nice as well as a shallow, kid friendly beach area. Take a day trip over to the island by ferry as it's well worth the time. Fort Mackinac is a must. Rent or bring bikes as the island is very big.

August is good for travel in the upper parts of Michigan as flying insects can be very disrupting during the late spring/early summer months. Bug repellent is helpful. Weather is always hit or miss but the water temps should be the warmest during your travel dates.

We'll be at Mackinaw Mill Creek between June 28 and July 1. Can't wait. Our kids loved it last year.

Happy and safe travels.

[66joej]

Hopefully it will be cooler than Kansas City in August. That is along the lines of what I was thinking it may be. Thanks

Hey Chip If you are thinking cool think Canada. :cool:

[ctbruce]

Hey Chip If you are thinking cool think Canada. :cool:

That's probably coming someday soon. Michigan this year. Phoenix next February, and who knows after that. Canada is beautiful, especially your area.

[gearhead]

We're attempting to escape Houston heat & humidity ourselves. Have tickets and RV spot at Eldora Speedway in Ohio for NASCAR truck races in mid July. Then up to Hoffmaster SP Michigan and Fort Wilderness, around the top to Wisconsin and ease back home.
I looked at daily average temps on AccuWeather and it's better than ours.
If it wasn't for wanting check NASCAR on a dirt track off the bucket list, I'd go to the mountains.
I'm seriously considering Alaska in the truck camper next year. DW says: "go for it, by yourself" .

[ctbruce]

One of these days! DW has MS so doing heat is not good for her. Trying to find cool in the middle of the summer is a crap shoot at best. Last year on July 7th it snowed on us on the Bear Tooth Pass. Glorious!

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[JRTJH]

If you're trying to find "cool" in August, you'll definitely find it in the UP and northern Michigan, especially near the Great Lakes. Daytime temps away from the water will range into the 80's, possibly even the 90's, but when the sun falls below the horizon, temps will quickly drop to the 60's and maybe even lower. Bring a warm jacket (not just a wind breaker) or you'll be doing some shopping after the first night. Yup, the UP is the only place I've ever seen that stocks sweatshirts and jackets all summer long......

As for bugs, they are "available free of charge" in the UP from around "ice out" on the lakes until the first "hard freeze" so prepare for that. Bring "bug spray". Most locals use Avon Skin So Soft which is effective for no-see-ums and even deer flies. Most Avon stores now stock Skin So Soft "bug edition" (not sure of the actual marketing name) which has an added bug repellant already in the mix. That's what we buy and use religiously when sitting outside in the evenings. During the spring, even in the middle of the day, they'll "pack you away" without protection. Later in the year, most "cleared land" is pretty much bug free, but get away from the city and into the forest and you'll be very thankful for a bottle of Avon in your pocket....

Let me know when you get closer to your trip and I'll get you more information on things to see and do in the UP. There are several "lesser known must do" side trips that just make sense if you're only going to be here for a couple of weeks and some things that are "nice, but why" kinds of "time fillers".....

Enjoy your planning, that's always a fun part of any trip.

[ctbruce]

Thanks, John! I had heard the state bird of Michigan is the black fly. I'll be sure to come armed and prepared.

I'll appreciate the info. We'll be moving around a bit and want t see the best parts. Thanks for the tip on the coats too.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[Homer & Marge]

This will be your view! August is awesome. The last picture was taken at the dog beach at the west end of mill creek. A great place to spend a week. I might see you there.

[ctbruce]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It looks wonderful. If we are there at the same time would love to meet you.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[craign]

ctbruce,

We stayed at the Wisconsin Dells KOA August 20-21, 2015. The first morning (based on when I took the dog outside) started at 55 degrees and the second morning started at 65 degrees. My journal isn't the best, so I didn't record the high temperatures for the stay. Still, it was a nice visit.

Here's a web page that will give you average temperatures for Wis dells.
http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/wisconsin-dells/wisconsin/united-states/uswi0756

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Craig

[notanlines]

Chip, when in the Mackinac Island area be sure to get on one of the boats and tour the island. It will be too late for you and Momma to get reservations for a nice room at the Grand Hotel, but I thought I'd pass the rates on to you.

Deluxe lake view guest rooms, some with a balcony.

Weekday: Sunday-Thursday
Double: $435.00 per person, per night
Single: $795.00 per night

Weekend: Friday-Saturday
Double: $474.00 per person, per night
Single: $873.00 per night

The lady at the desk told us we need to make reservations a year in advance. The price was $10.00 just to tour the lobby and then they let us credit that money towards the $29.00 lunch buffet in one of the restaurants. A real bargain!

[ctbruce]

Wow! Talk about taking one in the shorts! That is French Lick kind of prices. I think I'll get my binoculars out and just looksie across the bay....:nonono:

Chip, when in the Mackinac Island area be sure to get on one of the boats and tour the island. It will be too late for you and Momma to get reservations for a nice room at the Grand Hotel, but I thought I'd pass the rates on to you.

Deluxe lake view guest rooms, some with a balcony.

Weekday: Sunday-Thursday
Double: $435.00 per person, per night
Single: $795.00 per night

Weekend: Friday-Saturday
Double: $474.00 per person, per night
Single: $873.00 per night

The lady at the desk told us we need to make reservations a year in advance. The price was $10.00 just to tour the lobby and then they let us credit that money towards the $29.00 lunch buffet in one of the restaurants. A real bargain!

[JRTJH]

The lunch buffet this year is $30, Supper (coat and tie required) is $80 and "High Tea in the Parlor" (also coat and tie required) is $40. Add $10 per person "admission" to even get into the hotel. If you do decide to stay overnight, the boat ride is about $30 per person to the docks in either Mackinaw City or Saint Ignace. Add a carriage ride from the docks to the hotel ($100) plus any gratuity. (They won't leave your room until you tip appropriately)....

It's an experience, but unless you've got the "upper crust income" just plan to pay your ten bucks to walk through the lobby and head on back down the hill to where "real people enjoy the island"..... LOL

If you do manage a day on the island, do plan to at least visit the Grand Hotel and take a few pictures on the front porch.

[Homer & Marge]

We will be at Mill Creek in Mackinac 8/13 - 8/21 Look for us lakeside west!

[ctbruce]

We'll look for you. I think that's around the time we'll be there.

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2017 3500HD Silverado LTZ

[CrazyCain]

Gonna be in the UP ourselves at the same time, but in Germfask, Mi at the Northland Outfitters campground, parked right on the Manistique river..

:marshmallow:

[ctbruce]

Gonna be in the UP ourselves at the same time, but in Germfask, Mi at the Northland Outfitters campground, parked right on the Manistique river..

:marshmallow:

Maybe we should just plan a Camporee!

[mikell]

Be warned there will be pirates in Mackinaw this summer.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/05/mackinac_island_ferry_adds_pir.html

[CamperGill]

We are taking a 2 week road trip this coming August to get out of Kansas City. Here is where we will be staying. Does anyone have any input on these parks?

1. Fox Trail RV Park, Baraboo, WI
2. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, Mackinaw City, MI
3. Timber Ridge, RV and Recreation Resort, Traverse City, MI
4. Oak Grove Resort Campground, Holland, MI
5. Timberline Valley Rv Resort, Anderson, IN
6. Coles Creek Recreation Area, Carlyle, IL

What will the weather be like 2nd and 3rd week of August in Wisconsin Dells and Michigan? Your input appreciated. :cool:

How was your stay at Oak Grove in Holland? Looking at switching up from our routine of South Haven and came across Oak Grove so I thought i’d Get your two cents.

[ctbruce]

How was your stay at Oak Grove in Holland? Looking at switching up from our routine of South Haven and came across Oak Grove so I thought i’d Get your two cents.I thought it was very nice. Well maintained, not over crowded, really nice people. The location was great, as we used it as a base to tour the country side. I highly recommend this campground and all of the others on this list as well. They were all great spots. There, that's at least a quarter!

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[ken56]

Timber Ridge in Traverse City is nice also.

[ctbruce]

Timber Ridge in Traverse City is nice also.Timber Ridge was excellent. I recommend all the campgrounds I listed as very nice!

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