Camping in the upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Eating out could be a challenge unless you are willing to try small local grills. Make sure you check their hours. Some may be breakfast and lunch only, others may close before 8 PM.

The UP is an Amazing Place.

Plan two days in Sault St. Marie. As you get into town, drop someone at the lock visitor center and run it to look at the board and see when the next ship is coming through, then make plans for the day. The board isn't always right, but they try. You really want to be in the upper deck of the "peanut gallery".

Both campgrounds in town are good, and as you have transportation, Anne-Osborne is quieter. Neither is all FHU. No cable either.

There are also three "Museums" in town. River of History is closed on Sundays, the museum ship "Valley Camp" and the Tower. There is a three item ticket that is just barely a deal, but if you don't have time for the tower, you can miss it. The other two are worth the time and money.

When you go north from there toward toward the Whitefish Point Shipwreck Museum, and as you pass through the village of Paradise, look for where M-123 goes west. If you need a place to stay, there is a snowmobiler parking lot about 1/2 mile west of there (on the south side of the road and not marked) and it is mostly unoccupied for the few weeks that there is no snow.

Most of all, take you time and watch your fuel. The UP is not very populated and so you have to be aware of those things.

Matt

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a bit out of the way but an amazing place to see. Upper and lower falls and a great hike between the two with a shuttle to take you back to your vehicle. There is also a decent brewpub at the upper falls. There is a CG there but we did not take the time to look at it.

The Island Resort and Casino is near Bark River, about 20 minutes from Escanaba. There is an excellent county CG about 20 minutes south of Escanaba right on Lake Michigan, O.B. Fuller County Park, it's also about a 20 minute ride to the casino.

Several good restaurants in Escanaba and nearby. The Hereford and Hops is a brewpub with good beer and and a wide variety of really good food. We have not been to, but have heard great things about Stonehouse Restaurant & Lounge. Mo's Pub is really good. The Upper Brewery has a tasting room near the Delta County airport. No food but excellent beer. In Ford River the Ford River Pub and Grill is great.

In the Keweenau Peninsula we ate at Fitzgerald's. We liked that place a lot.

We looped Lake Superior and did 54 waterfalls in 17 days. August is a good time as the mosquito's and black flies are at a minimum.

With less than a couple months you will only get a sample of the UP but it will be enough to bring you back.

We stayed at Munising Tourist Park Campground. Nice place right on the water. Nice views of the island and lots of opportunities to do everything you like to do!

If you can get to the Porcupine Mountains, camp at Union Bay. Right on Lake Superior it's a gem. Little Girls Point is cool as well, no electric though so I don't know if you'd like that.

My favorite private CG is Jack Pine located between Munising and Manistique.

Plenty of waterfalls to hike to as well...http://gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/maps/statemichigan.shtml

Lake of the Clouds, Lake Gogebic, the ski jump at Copper Harbor, Pictured Rocks, Indian Lake, some of the highlights and never ever ultra crowded. We've visited the UP many times and always love it.

I recently went to the top of Copper Peak Ski Flying jump. It was a great view. You ride a ski lift, take an elevator and then climb the rest of the way. The best part is that when you get to the very top of the structure, you can look straight down to see how high you are because the floor is expanded metal mesh. The top is cantilevered out over the valley and is high enough that you can feel the entire thing move with the wind.
https://copperpeak.net/visit/

Went to Mackinac Island a few years ago and stay at Castle Rock Lakefront Mackinac Trail Campground. Our site was right on the shore of the lake had a great time. You have to try a "Pastie" its a local eating favorite.

Copper Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Keweenaw National Historic Park (copper mining), Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, and the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee near Marquette.

You can also take a ferry from Copper Harbor all the way out to Isle Royale National Park. There hiking trails and boat rentals (but no cars) on Isle Royale that can take you all around the island.

The Soo locks at Sault Ste. Marie were fascinating, watching the huge ships come and go. We stayed at the city owned park, Aune-Osborn