Greetings. We are currently planning a trip to the UP of Michigan. Looking for any information on private campgrounds around the Lake Superior area. Looking for full hookup, with things for kids 12-13 to do. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.Thanks,Shane

We made a trip through the UP back in 2007. Camped for a couple of nights at Munising Tourist Park, which is right on the shore of Lake Superior in Munising. They have some sites with FHU. Click on their Reservations link to see a campground map. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is nearby.

We always enjoy a stay at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Many full hook-up campgrounds scattered throughout the UP. Bear in mind that the UP is a very large area. You could easily spend a month and not come close to covering it all. I would also not limit myself to just the Lake Superior shoreline side, there are many beautiful areas on the Lake Michigan side also. My favorite spots in no order: Grand Marais, Tahquamena Falls, Soo Locks, Keewanaw Pennisula area, Porcupine Mountains (Lake of the Clouds is here, absolutely beautiful in the Fall), Little Brevort Lake, Mackinaw Island and Mackinaw Bridge (both a must). That should get you started! Will be a trip of a lifetime for you and your family. Take your time and enjoy.

jagocampers wrote:Greetings. We are currently planning a trip to the UP of Michigan. Looking for any information on private campgrounds around the Lake Superior area. Looking for full hookup, with things for kids 12-13 to do. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.Thanks,ShaneWe always stay at state parks in the UP, so can't help you on the campgrounds.We went to the UP 3 years ago and are going back this summer because we enjoyed it so much.We really enjoyed Pictured Rocks (which is a national lakeshore). It's beautiful, but you need to see it from the water, driving by or walking on the shore just won't do it justice. If you don't have a kayak, go on the 3 hour cruise offered out of Munising. Stop by Tahquamenon Falls, the upper falls. The lower falls are pretty as well but much less impressive than the upper falls. Close to Tahquamenon is Whitefish Point with a wonderful lighthouse and keepers house. You can also view the shipwreck museum which is all on the same grounds. The beach at Whitefish point is full of smooth flat stones, very unique and it has stuck with me. If you get over to Soo Locks and are looking for a meal, go to Antlers in Sault Ste Marie. Great food. We still remember this place from 3 years back and plan on stopping by again this summer. If your kids want to swim, Brimley State park is between Tahquamenon and Sault St Marie. It's in White Fish Bay and is supposed to be the warmest part of Lake Superior. My kids enjoyed swimming there.Mackinac Island is also a must. You can catch a ferry from either the UP or the LP. It's a unique experience. If you're really into biking, you can take your bikes, but the island is very hilly so be prepared for a workout. Last time we went we had younger kids so we took the horse-drawn wagon ride through the park. It stopped at Fort Mackinac, which was the highlight of my son's trip. Don't forget to have some fudge.

michigansandzilla wrote:jagocampers wrote:Greetings. We are currently planning a trip to the UP of Michigan. Looking for any information on private campgrounds around the Lake Superior area. Looking for full hookup, with things for kids 12-13 to do. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.Thanks,ShaneWe always stay at state parks in the UP, so can't help you on the campgrounds.We went to the UP 3 years ago and are going back this summer because we enjoyed it so much.We really enjoyed Pictured Rocks (which is a national lakeshore). It's beautiful, but you need to see it from the water, driving by or walking on the shore just won't do it justice. If you don't have a kayak, go on the 3 hour cruise offered out of Munising. Stop by Tahquamenon Falls, the upper falls. The lower falls are pretty as well but much less impressive than the upper falls. Close to Tahquamenon is Whitefish Point with a wonderful lighthouse and keepers house. You can also view the shipwreck museum which is all on the same grounds. The beach at Whitefish point is full of smooth flat stones, very unique and it has stuck with me. If you get over to Soo Locks and are looking for a meal, go to Antlers in Sault Ste Marie. Great food. We still remember this place from 3 years back and plan on stopping by again this summer. If your kids want to swim, Brimley State park is between Tahquamenon and Sault St Marie. It's in White Fish Bay and is supposed to be the warmest part of Lake Superior. My kids enjoyed swimming there.Mackinac Island is also a must. You can catch a ferry from either the UP or the LP. It's a unique experience. If you're really into biking, you can take your bikes, but the island is very hilly so be prepared for a workout. Last time we went we had younger kids so we took the horse-drawn wagon ride through the park. It stopped at Fort Mackinac, which was the highlight of my son's trip. Don't forget to have some fudge.All great suggestions!!!!As for the Mackinac Island biking, there are rentals available. Though they aren't your own bike! Lol Not sure if Doc is still doing the bike tours, but he would meet I think at the bike shop on the island Mon-Sat at 10am, and take bikers on a couple hour tour. Giving some of the folklore stories of the island along the way! Price- donations accepted! If you stay on the outside of the island, it isn't bad concerning hills, just 8 miles around. But can be very busy!!!!Mackinac Island Fudge- the BEST is at the Murray Hotel!!!! Which is across the street from the Arnold Line Ferry Dock. They run a special each day for fudge bought before 10am last I knew!IF you end up in Mackinaw City with the trolls, and like hot wings, go to the Keyhole Bar and Grill, which is necxt to the Pancake Chef!!!! Favorite wings to date!!!! As for Antler's in the Soo, glad to hear the food was good! Last I had heard quality was down, but maybe that was just a bad meal! It has been a few years since we have been there. Maybe stop on the way home next month from the cabin and try it again if I can convice the wife & In-laws!!!

Family trip to the UP of Michigan | Good Sam Community

reinita
Explorer
Feb 28, 2014
Huge UP fans here. To get a feel for what's up there, here's an episode of the public TV show Under the Radar: http://video.dptv.org/video/2365148954/
michigansandzil
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
Need-A-Vacation wrote:
We stopped by Antlers on our way back Sun about 6:30pm, but didn't stay as they only had 2 servers working on a Sun night! Wait wasn't super long, but they said they weren't seating very many at a time due to only having 2 servers working!

Not a way to stay in business if you ask me!

We went to a local Pizza Hut between Christmas and New Years (when everyone is home and eating out); there was 1 server in the entire restaurant and every single table was full. It took over an hour to get a single pizza. To make matters worse, it was the waitresses second night on the job. Crazy!!

Nobody else seems to like Antlers, but it was the best burger I've ever had in my entire life. We're planning on stopping back this summer. We'll see if the food has gone down hill.
dverstra
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Pirate wrote:
Everyone keeps talking about the Antlers. Just talk. I wouldn't waste my money or time on a second visit.

Other than the animal mounts all over the walls and ceiling, you won't find a reason to go there especially the menu.
Pirate1
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Everyone keeps talking about the Antlers. Just talk. I wouldn't waste my money or time on a second visit.
Water-Bug
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Need-A-Vacation wrote:
We stopped by Antlers on our way back Sun about 6:30pm, but didn't stay as they only had 2 servers working on a Sun night! Wait wasn't super long, but they said they weren't seating very many at a time due to only having 2 servers working!

Not a way to stay in business if you ask me!

Let's face it, Antler's is a tourist attraction with decent food. Locals would probably only eat there on special occasions. February isn't exactly peak tourist season in da UP eh ? I'm somewhat surprised that it was even open in the winter.
Allworth
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2014
The Munising City CG has some full hookup sites that let you back down so the rear of the rig is just about hanging out over the water. Sunsets were beautiful. Nice people working there two years ago.

The City of Houghton also has a CG with FHU and water views. This time it is the Portage Canal. All of the Keweenaw Copper Country is a simple day trip from there. (That is the correct spelling. I looked it up.) The lady running the office acted like I was some kind of intruder in her personal space, but the rest of the staff was ok.

Have a great trip. It is beautiful country.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Agree with other posts in that there is enough in the UP to keep you busy all summer long. Our experiences with the following were all good:

Mackinac Island - IMHO this is a must-do.

Whitefish Point Light/Great Lakes Shipwreck Musuem

Toonerville Trolley/Riverboat to Tahquamenon Falls

Pictured Rocks Nat'l Seashore - this is also a must-do. Take a cruise AND drive/hike the park.

Bugs - like others have said, can be bad. We did some hiking right along the Lake Superior Beach from Hurricane River to Au Sable Point Light. No bugs. To hike back we took the road and the flies were awful - repellent didn't faze them a bit. Enjoy & safe travels.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
I suggest that you try some research by using RV Park Reviews.com (click below). Select a Michigan city where you might go and see if there are any campgrounds in that area. You can then go to the campground website, if available, to check on amenities available. There are also customer ratings for the various campgrounds.

http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/

Here's a FHU campground about 45 miles west of Marquette, Michigamme Shores CG. It's along M-28/US-41 on Lake Michigamme, a very large inland lake.

http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Champion.html

Check out these campgrounds in the Ontonagon area. The Porcupine Mountains State Park is just south of Ontonagon and is a great place for hiking. We stayed at the Ontonagon Township Park, just north of downtown Ontonagon. It has water & electric, but I don't think it takes reservations. It's a nice campground right on the beach.

http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Ontonagon.html

Another campground we liked which is right on Lake Superior in Grand Marais (between Munising & Sault Ste Marie) is Woodland Park. Again, water & electric, but it's a nice park with grassy sites. You can walk into the downtown area a couple of blocks away. Check out The Lake Superior Brewing Co.

http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Grand_Marais.html

Almost forgot to include Copper Harbor.

http://rvparkreviews.com/regions/Michigan/Copper_Harbor.html
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
We stopped by Antlers on our way back Sun about 6:30pm, but didn't stay as they only had 2 servers working on a Sun night! Wait wasn't super long, but they said they weren't seating very many at a time due to only having 2 servers working!

Not a way to stay in business if you ask me!
luvztheoutdoor1
Explorer
Jan 08, 2014
ExxWhy wrote:
How are the bugs in the summer up there?

It also depends if the wind is blowing off shore or not.