OK plotting a draft route for this summer. We are going to follow US 2 from Bonner's Ferry in far northern Idaho across to Duluth MN. Then which way? Go east to Saute St Marie then down into Michigan. And which coast Huron or Lake Michigan. Or south from Duluth and follow the Lake Michigan west shore. My problem with that is south of Green Bay it looks like I-43 follows the shoreline south.This will be past mid-July or early August. Hopefully past Black Fly season.Incidentally I think I spotted my very first campsite in Peninsula State Park in WI. I knew it was near Green Bay but didn't know which park it was. It was not a good night, heh. We were ill prepared and tried to sleep in tube tents (if anyone recalls those monstrosities) The mosquitoes were almost as big as the ones in the Everglades.Michigan also has the good point of putting us near our home Interstate I-75 which we will follow back to Florida,

Why would you not like I-43? I have not been there but a trip along the lake would be quite scenic. Any of the routes you suggest take you through major metropolitan areas which I really like to avoid. My choice would be the Soo then Michigan to Port Huron, cross into Canada then back into the U.S. at Niagara Falls.

Zooming down an 6 lane interstate at 63 mph (pulling TT) would not be the scenic way to go in my mind. I'd rather follow secondary roads and explore as we go, more slowly.

If you go across upper Michigan then down along the Lake Michigan shoreline, you can catch all four of the National Lakeshores in on trip.Apostle Islands National LakeshorePictured Rocks National LakeshoreSleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreIndiana Dunes National LakeshoreWe just did a 3-week past October up from Indiana Dunes to as far as Pictured Rocks. We really enjoyed it but plan on going back in September one year so we can have better weather. If you like state parks, when you get to Michigan, pay the $32 for the annual park pass (exp end of year) as you will get it back if you spend five days in parks. Makes it really easy to stop and visit all the little parks along the coast.

West MI along the Lake Michigan shore has good scenery and sandy beaches. The opposite sides of the great lakes are more stony, if that matters to you. If you have never been across the Mackinaw Bridge, that alone is worth taking the MI route. Be sure to stop in Mackinaw City and get some homestyle cinnamon bread or pecan rolls at the local bakery.

Wisconsin or Michigan | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

jplante4
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2019
We did that in August/September last year in the opposite direction. I went through WI because I wanted to visit an old Navy buddy. If I hadn't done that, we would have just stayed on US2. Picture Rocks is very popular and gets good reviews.

In Diluth, see if you can get a spot at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors. Nice CG with views of the lake.

The east side of Lake Michigan had Petoskey Stones as well (in Petoskey). I'd also recommend a side trip to Frankenmuth.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2019
OK thanks everyone it sounds like the vote is for the west side of Lake Michigan. Maybe we will find some petoskey stones.

I considered driving all the way around the Canadian side of Superior thru Thunder Bay but we probably won't have the time at that point. We started doing that, the other way around, and only got to Pancake Bay. The two older kids were bickering so much that we just turned around and went home.
we3
Explorer
Feb 09, 2019
I can't believe no one has mentioned Mackinaw Island. Historical landmark, the whole island is a state park and well worth the visit. We take this run every couple of years down the west side of the lake. Nice towns Petoskey, Charlevoix, Magnus campground is really nice right on the water in Petoskey. Petoskey is the place the wealthy people from Milwaukee and Chicago use to come to spend their summers, over 300 victorian houses in the town of Belle View 1/2 mile from the campground.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2019
I am in the process of trip plotting in the area as well. Been there before but taking more time this year. Doing the eastern shore of Lake Michigan northbound. Maybe go around N shore of Superior from Sault to Duluth then don't know till Oskosh for the July air show. Giving Chicago a very wide berth headed homeward to the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Feb 08, 2019
edbehnke wrote:
either way is great, BUT, avoid Chicago if you can.

Yeah I know about Chicago, I was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station for a while going to school. We had a saying about Chicago there but like many Navy witticisms, it cannot be repeated in polite company. I'd really like to go to the Natural History Museum but will not visit that town.
edbehnke
Explorer
Feb 08, 2019
either way is great, BUT, avoid Chicago if you can.
Trekkar
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2019
If your plan is stay away from interstates until I-75, then you should have a much more relaxed trip heading to Sault Ste. Marie.
Places not mentioned yet are Tahquamenon Falls, and Pictured Rocks, both of which are nice stops. Plus you can fill up on the best pasties this side of Cornwall!
tragusa3
Explorer
Feb 08, 2019
We did the Western shore of Michigan and the UP this past summer. I feel like I'm the only person to ever say this, but I will not be back.

It could have been any number of variables, but it was very average for me. Bugs chased us indoors a lot, the temperatures were NOT typical. We were in the upper 90's much of the time.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Feb 08, 2019
I live in Wisconsin and travel along the west shore of Lake Michigan frequently. You will get a few views of the lake from the interstate but not many. Most of the trip south on the I will include metro areas. I would stick to the state roads.
My preference for a trip suck as this would be to go across the UP of Michigan, visiting the Apostle Islands, Porcupine Mtn St Park and Keweenaw Peninsula, Sault Ste Marie, Mackinac Island & bridge. Take your time going across the UP, there is a lot to see.
Door County Wisconsin is great but you can spend a week there and not see it all.
paulj
Explorer II
Feb 08, 2019
When I lived in Chicago, Door County was a favorite camping area, summer and winter. But getting close to the lake short south of Sturgeon Bay wasn't easy. WA42 through Manitowoc and Twin Rivers touched on it some times. I43, once it was completed, was a welcomed alternative to other NS inland highways.

And 43 puts you into Milwaukee and urban freeways all the way to Indiana.

Best views of the lake were from US2 across the north side of Lake Michigan.