Lake Superior trip planning
We're planning a 2 week family trip in July from London Ontario, through Michigan, to Lake Superior and then back home through Ontario. Looking for any insight as to parks to stay at and places to see...
Forum Discussion
Campgrounds are not something I know about as we are travelers and not camp ground campers. But as for things to see..
If you are crossing into Michigan at Sarnia, run Rt 23 up the shore of Lake Huron, two stops before Machinaw. One should be short, it is just the memorial to Rogers City people lots on the lakes. The next may take some time at Mill Creek Park there is a water powered mill there and it is interesting.
Machinac Island is mostly tourist trap, but the fort is a very good stop and as you are going across the bridge anyway, you might consider taking the ferry from St. Ignas instead of Mackinaw City. I don't recall it being cheaper, but it is often a nicer ride.
When you get to Sault Saint Marie, as soon as you can, get near the locks and go into the visitor center and look on the board for when ships will lock through. You may want to adjust your schedule. Watching the ships is free. There are two campgrounds on the river. Both are nice. It is kind of a stretch to say that either is walking distance to the locks, but they are not that far. Between the campgrounds and the locks are the Museum Ship Valley Camp, the river walk on E. Water Street and the Tower of History. You can get a single ticket for the ship, the tower and the River of History Museum (closed Sundays), but I am not sure the tower is worth it.
When you are all locked and shipped out, go out 28 & 123 to Paradise, but keep going the Light Station Museum at Whitefish Pointe. When you leave there, go back to Paradise, and turn right to go out 123 to the two (Upper and Lower) Tahquamenon Falls. There is camping there, but we didn't stay. You will need the Michigan sticker (11$) to get where you can park. That sticker is good for all Michigan's parks for the year.
From there, head west to Munising. The Munising Fall is interesting (and free) and then you can go into Munising and pick a boat ride out to the Pictured Rocks.
I am out of writing time now, but this should give you a good start.
Matt
If you are crossing into Michigan at Sarnia, run Rt 23 up the shore of Lake Huron, two stops before Machinaw. One should be short, it is just the memorial to Rogers City people lots on the lakes. The next may take some time at Mill Creek Park there is a water powered mill there and it is interesting.
Machinac Island is mostly tourist trap, but the fort is a very good stop and as you are going across the bridge anyway, you might consider taking the ferry from St. Ignas instead of Mackinaw City. I don't recall it being cheaper, but it is often a nicer ride.
When you get to Sault Saint Marie, as soon as you can, get near the locks and go into the visitor center and look on the board for when ships will lock through. You may want to adjust your schedule. Watching the ships is free. There are two campgrounds on the river. Both are nice. It is kind of a stretch to say that either is walking distance to the locks, but they are not that far. Between the campgrounds and the locks are the Museum Ship Valley Camp, the river walk on E. Water Street and the Tower of History. You can get a single ticket for the ship, the tower and the River of History Museum (closed Sundays), but I am not sure the tower is worth it.
When you are all locked and shipped out, go out 28 & 123 to Paradise, but keep going the Light Station Museum at Whitefish Pointe. When you leave there, go back to Paradise, and turn right to go out 123 to the two (Upper and Lower) Tahquamenon Falls. There is camping there, but we didn't stay. You will need the Michigan sticker (11$) to get where you can park. That sticker is good for all Michigan's parks for the year.
From there, head west to Munising. The Munising Fall is interesting (and free) and then you can go into Munising and pick a boat ride out to the Pictured Rocks.
I am out of writing time now, but this should give you a good start.
Matt
