Any "must see" areas in the GreatL Lakes region?

In Mackinac City -- just minutes from Mill Creek Campground or Wilderness State Park -- is Ft. Michilimakinac. We walk through every year. Tells a lot about the area's history with interpreters in period costume.

There are also many geocaches and a really neat lighthouse by a dark sky park. The lighthouse nature trail has a different view of the bridge.

If you do go southwest from the island , Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Northport, Leland, and Frankfort are cute little towns with artsy stores and LOTS of ice cream! There is canoeing on the Lower Platte River. The river empties into Lake Michigan. The Campground is right up the road -- Platte River Campground. There is a great car drive through the woods with scenic stops to see the lake. This is the Stocking Drive. Sleeping Bear dunes is just down the road. They have been building a very nice bike trail. My son says it is fantastic!

Farther down, Ludington is a nice beach town, and there is a very popular State Park there.

Then, farther downstate, along US 31, is Holland and Saugatauk -- both nice tourist towns.

As you can see, there are many places to see in this part of Michigan!

precioustime wrote:
Driving from Accord, NY to Mackinac Island area this July. I heard Mackinac Island is cool. My rv is 24 ft long and pulling a small car. Any rv parks near the ferry station? I know cars are not allowed on the island. Should I go up the coast and avoid I 75? What about the other lakes? How often does the ferry go back and forth? Any rv parks I should stay in along the water? have 2 dogs that travel with us. Anything helps. Thanks!

The ferry leaves every half hour.
Avoiding I-75 isn't necessary unless it's southbound on the last weekend day of a holiday weekend.

It would be helpful to know what you're looking for when we make suggestions. How old are you, do you have kids, do you like towns, solitude, hiking, swimming, etc.

Going over the bridge to the UP is a neat experience. Stay in the UP only if you like solitude and driving for 1-2 hours between anything of interest.

If you're in Michigan for a limited amount of time, I would recommend focusing on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Traverse city is a nice town to visit. Sleeping Bear dunes is pretty, but the best sand is found farther south in Ludington, Silver Lake areas.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an absolute MUST. The whole area is awesome with great views of Lake Michigan.

My question would be, how long do you plan to spend in Michigan? I agree, going across the bridge from Mackinaw City to the U(pper) P(eninsula) is a great idea, and there are some great places to visit there: Soo Locks (Sault Ste Marie, which is pronounced "Soo Saint Marie), the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, etc.

As for getting there, don't follow the shoreline of Lake Huron until you get past the "thumb" (past Flint or so), or you will find yourself dealing with the traffic & other hassles of several big cities (Detroit, etc.) However, once you get about halfway up the lower peninsula, driving the shore route is fun - slower than the interstate, of course, but it's neat to look at the summer cottages, glimpses of the the beaches, lots of pine trees, etc.

BTW, the state park mentioned previously, located across the bridge from Mackinaw City, is Straits State Park. Some nice sites there; electric hookups available. Wilderness SP is also nearby, west of Mackinaw City, should you prefer this kind of camping to private CGs. Both nice, both popular; by now, sites may already be booked, especially for weekends.

Not sure how often the ferry runs but you can probably find a schedule if you google it. The island is worth a full-day visit at least.

interesting

I would also go up in the U.P. And see Pictured Rocks. We are staying at Munising Tourist Prk Campground.

I found the Soo Locks very interesting. Sleeping Bear Dunes is worth a visit since you are pretty close.

The I-75 bridge is pretty cool, unless it is really windy. Anywhere in central and northern Michigan is great RV territory along the coastline. You may want to continue on up into the UP. We did a month and the circle around Lake Michigan a few years ago....what a wonderful State.

Bring your bicycles. Ride around the Island and there is a gravel path across the street from the Mill Creek campground. No problem parking at the Ferry and they run frequently but the earlier you get there the better. Buy some fudge on the Island.
See the old video of how the bridge was made at the pizza place in Mackinaw City. Always pronounce Mackinac as if it was spelled Mackinaw.

We always stay at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground in Mackinaw City. It is right along the water with Mackiaw Island and Mackinac Bridge in view. Not all sites are along the water. It's a large campground, but July is peak. Call and make reservations NOW.
There is also a State Park Campground in St. Ignace, north of the bridge.
You will thoroughly enjoy exploring the area....about an hour north of the bridge is the Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie. They are interesting to see and you can take a very interesting boat tour and lock through the locks themselves.