Upper michigan

[tech740]

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'm about a 24 hour drive from there. I've learned not to trust RV park pics too much.
The back in sites look like they could get crowded if many people are parking a boat next to their RV.
The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a reservation are the bugs in July. I'm going to have to get off the fence soon.

I am planning on a deluxe pull through. On google earth they look large. The campground pics look pretty secluded for what it is.

[gearhead]

That's what I was thinking as well.

[billsr]

We took a trip to the Upper Peninsula a couple of years ago and our Minister and his Wife went with us. We spent a week up there during the 1st part of July. Took the boat out of Munising to see Picture Rocks, which was awesome.
We stayed at two different campgrounds up ther, sorry don't remember the names, but they were both very good.
we used the GPS to get to one of the campgrounds, and it took us through the Hiawatha National Forest. We were on a single lane dirt road hauling our 27 foot Bullet through the Forest, and finally decided this was not a good thing. We were low on gas too. Came up to an area where a tree had fallen over the road, and it had been cut away so vehicles could pass. Wasn't sure the camper would get through without damage, but we made it. Came upon another vehicle coming in our direction and no room to pass. Luckily they were able to pull over enough so we could get by. We informed them we were lost and they said they were too. They told us to keep going and we would come to a paved road, and we finally got out of the Forest. Finally found a gas station and my 36 gallon tank took 35 1/2 gallons to fill it up.


You have to try the "Pasties" also. They are good.


Beautiful scenery up there and we want to go back someday.

[Northern Lights]

Be sure to watch the UP Movie classic,
"Escanaba in da moonlight" with Jeff Daniels before you go.
It's a movie about the stereotyped lifestyle there..
It's one if the funniest movies I've ever seen.

[Mikelff]

I am also looking at a Michigan UP trip next September. I grew up outside Detroit and have never been to the UP. Been all over Canada(not camping) and Traverse City area. I now live in North Texas and miss the autumn and the colors. Forgot about those deer fly’s. They are NASTY. I wouldn’t dare go out in the woods without plenty of good bug spray. The strongest stuff you can find. This is great info for where to stay and what to see. Keep it coming! I’m taking notes! 😎

[legger99]

Originally Posted by tech740

I have not. I plan to this summer. The sites back in the trees look fantastic. Granted I am going off photos. I am about 4 hours south of there so it would be a drive to scout it out.

I have stayed in that campground. Probably 5-6 years ago before I had a camper. We stayed in one of the cabins. My mom/sister came up from Traverse and my family and I came from where I live and this was our halfway point (sort of).

I recall it being a rather quiet campground, I don't remember the size of the sites in the woods, but the ones along the edge were spacious.

There is a big hill to walk down to get to the lake.

Early May/June bugs (mosquitoes / black flies /ticks) are bad, but usually calm down when it gets hotter.

Any other questions about the U.P. feel free to ask!

[geesie and lolo]

Just got back from keweenaw peninsula Oct 5-9 and had cool and windy but beautiful weather. Stayed at Sunset Bay campground with water and electric. Some sites have sewer. Water was a little rust colored but good to drink. Right on the water. Plenty to do and see up there!

[danielm300]

We have been to the UP twice. Beautiful area. We took our bicycles on the ferry to Mackinaw Island and rode around the island. My wife had an aunt in Pickford which gave us an anchor point to the sights in the eastern UP. Soo locks, Whitefish Bay, Lots of wilderness and very little cell phone coverage. Picture Rocks is a must see by boat. Hope to go back there soon.

[geeman]

Originally Posted by tech740

Superior is so cold. Even when the locals call it warm/

But darn refreshing!! Love the Superior sunsets.
I could spend 2 weeks easy just going up the Superior side....or just stay up there all summer if work did not make me return to Iowa.

[Zoe]

The UP is one of our favorite camping destinations. I’ll try to be brief... Taquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point and Newberry are all pretty close together. There is a Very nice full hook-up campground near Newberry that would make a nice base camp for exploring the eastern UP. Further west are a couple of full hook-up campgrounds near Munising, just outside of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. One is very nice, and one is very new. Pictured Rocks and the surrounding area is a must see For anyone visiting, especially if this is a one time trip and you like hiking and waterfalls. From Munising, it’s a beautiful drive south to Manistique, Kitch-it’s-kipi (amazing) and the Garden Peninsula, home to Fayette State Park On Lake Michigan, which has a really interesting archeological site with restored structures relating to Michigan’s iron history. The park grounds are lovely, with crystal clear azure water, white cliffs like Dover, and the museum buildings are well researched and preserved. Back north again is Marquette, hockey anyone? Right on Lake Superior again, A fun city to check out, museums, stately old historical buildings and if you’re a foodie, it’s a college town with many quirky eateries as well. From Marquette it’s not far to the beginning of what might be my favorite part of the UP, the keweenaw Peninsula. There is a very nice City campground at Houghton-Hancock that I don’t think offers sewer hook-up, but does have water and electricity sites. It’s a lovely campground and kept clean and also has a small laundry area. North from there is a veritable treasure trove of hiking, thimbleberries, waterfalls, copper mines, museums, beaches, forts, pasties, curiosity shops and farm stands. The entire city of Calumet is a National Park Recognizing and celebrating Michigan’s important roll in the copper industry. You could spend days to wind your way north to the northernmost point of the state of Michigan and back, with beautiful views of Lake Superior, more water falls, Jacobsville sandstone beaches, buildings and quarries, Fish markets, and more. Further west are the porcupine mountains and more of what we love about Michigan’s upper peninsula. Oh gee, I forgot to mention lighthouses, have we got lighthouses!!! And fishing, and wild blueberries and... you can literally spend ALL summer up there and not see it all. I do recommend late July through even early October (beautiful fall colors!) or making sure you have whatever insect repellant you prefer at the handy. Enjoy!

[Redtruckvc]

Michigan has a plethora of State Parks, all over, including the UP. All have W & E sites, and shower and toilet facilities but generally, no septic hook up. But they all have dump stations.

Camping has gotten incredibly popular. Wherever you decide to stay, private or State parks, I strongly recommend making reservations well in advance. Last minute you might be able to find a vacant site for two consecutive nites, but no more.
September is my favorite month to camp in MI. Weather can be 50's and rainy or gloriously sunny and mild. And no bugs!
You can reserve in advance on line on DNR website. State forest camp grounds have no hook up, vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and water, hand pump or faucet. No dump site. Camping is FCFS, and sites will generally be available, unless it's a holiday weekend.
I love sharing my beautiful home, but spur of the moment camping is getting more difficult.

[travelin texans]

I'll say Michigan, especially the UP, is a beautiful place in the summer!
Although from about now til about late May/early June I don't want to be anywhere near there!!!
I don't do cold/snow anymore & by all the Michiganders we've met in the south from Arizona to Florida there's a lot them that don't either.

[rshipyor]

[My wife and I live in the up and there are many atate parks and private ones . Baraga state park was remodeled last year and has quite a few with full hookup. Also if you go to midnrreservations.com you can select site with those specific features up to 6 months in advance. And the are many private and city own with such features as well. Th UP is still my favorite place to go. Enjoy.

[hornet28]

Not all Michigan State Parks are full hook up. Go to the Mi. State park reservation site and it'll tell you what the facilities are

[geesie and lolo]

We just got back from camping in Keweenaw peninsula( Oct 5-9 ) and it was beautiful. Weather was cool with wind but some sun most days. Stayed at Sunset Bay campground with water and electric. Some sites had sewer. We were right on the water(all sites are close) and had beautiful sunsets and stargazing was amazing! Fall colors were at their peak. We will go back because there is so much more to see!

[Rbpinney]

Check out the UP State Fair in Escanaba. It's separate from the Michigan State Fair for lower Michigan. Some of the Kewadin casinos have overnight boondocking for RV'rs. We stayed at the one in Manistique.
Sault St. Marie is also a cool place to go. Find one of the RV campgrounds on the river and watch the freighters go by. Or you can take the boat tour. Cross the bridge for a quick trip to Canada.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by Rbpinney

Check out the UP State Fair in Escanaba. It's separate from the Michigan State Fair for lower Michigan. Some of the Kewadin casinos have overnight boondocking for RV'rs. We stayed at the one in Manistique.
Sault St. Marie is also a cool place to go. Find one of the RV campgrounds on the river and watch the freighters go by. Or you can take the boat tour. Cross the bridge for a quick trip to Canada.

Yeah I spent 3 days at Manistique casino . That one has free hookup 20 amp hook up. It was good location for the toy hauler. The the roads and riding where good. There’s a little grocery store nearby that had really good pasties.

[Mikendebbie]

Really enjoyed reading this thread! Hope we can make it to MI some day. It sounds great! Thanks to all who shared!

[gearhead]

I think we have scratched Michigan off as a mid summer trip. Betty is a no-go with the bugs, and I'm not too crazy about them either. I'm sure September would be fine but Betty has obligations that prevent that. Our purpose is to escape the coastal Texas heat and humidity of July. So for us I'm thinking it's back to Colorado or some higher elevations in the Smokies. We are talking about a "big trip" east in the spring to include some racing that we already have tickets and a RV site for. That may be our big one for the year.

[CrazyCain]

Originally Posted by gearhead

I think we have scratched Michigan off as a mid summer trip. Betty is a no-go with the bugs, and I'm not too crazy about them either. I'm sure September would be fine but Betty has obligations that prevent that. Our purpose is to escape the coastal Texas heat and humidity of July. So for us I'm thinking it's back to Colorado or some higher elevations in the Smokies. We are talking about a "big trip" east in the spring to include some racing that we already have tickets and a RV site for. That may be our big one for the year.

Bummer you scratched off Michigan as a mid summer trip. By Mid June all the real pests, black flies, have hit the road, only Skeeters remain, but they can be managed easier. Don't let Michigan honorary state bird stop you from seeing our beautiful state, especially Northern Mich and the UP..... A trip you would not forget...