Northern Michigan RV trip

If you are looking for scenery, then Traverse City might not be right for you. We just spent 4 days there at the state park, and although we had a great time, it was hotel after hotel after hotel after fast food! Very touristy and the beach was not nice at all. If you're not into go-carts and fast-food, you might want to stay a bit farther out and come in for a day trip. I remember passing the Traverse RV park and it seemed close to the city, but not in the center.

We took a day trip out to Sleeping Bear Dunes national park. That was amazing. It's a forested area with a huge sand dune in it. The surrounding area is not developed and basically pristine with a sprinkling of houses. If you like to kayak/tube, all the rivers make a lovely spot for it.

These two places are about 40 minutes away from each other and if you're going to Traverse, then I'd suggest stopping by the dunes. It was rated the most beautiful place in America in 2011.

When you are visiting Pictured Rocks, see it from the lake! Get into a kayak or canoe, or take a boat cruise. Driving down the road just won't do it justice.

Campground near Pictured Rocks
Munising Tourist Park- right on Lake Superior. Cool Breezes- Bring a Hoodie!
While you are there visit Lakenenland Sculpture Park then travel to Marquette and see their city park- Presque Isle Park.
If you fish, consider a charter to Stannard Rock. Again bring a Hoodie!

Head over to Taquamenon Falls State Park. Then visit the shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point

Spend a couple of days in Sault Ste. Marie at Aune Osborn CG. Watch the freighters pass right by your campsite. Take a Soo Locks boat cruise through the locks.

Travel to St. Ignace. Others can recommend a CG here. Castle Rock CG , I think. Or you could stay at Mill Creek CG near Mackinaw City. Don't forget to stop at the fort on the south side of the Bridge. Fort Michilimackinac.

Travel on Hwy 31 to Traverse City

Gotta go to work. Will follow this thread. I'm sure Travelnutz will give you her take on other spots to go. Remember to relax. That's what the UP is all about!

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to check on some of these. Southern Sky... from one fellow Louisianan to another.. that's one heck of a long way. A lot longer for you! I say let's go for it!

To the OP,

Just be aware that there can still be some very chilly nights that late in the spring or early summer months. No snow or ice though. The Great Lakes have not warmed up yet from winter deep cold and tend to keep the air chilly up there. Bring warm clothes incase you encounter some cold days and/or nights as you will be coming north from a very warm to hot area in late May and it might be a shock to your body. Summer really doesn't begin in the U.P. until mid to late June but it's still warm in October as the Great Lakes are now holding the summer's heating that rises and blows across the land. Then again, you may have some temps in the 80's during the day for a high! Varies a lot from day to day or week to week due to weather fronts up there in late spring.

You will be well ahead of the crowds that go to the U.P. and that's in your favor, however, many of the trees may just beginning to get their leaves so it looks very different than just a month later in the year when the forests are very lush. The U.P. is simply gorgeous anyway 12 months of the year!

Will be watching this post, thinking about the same trip.

Everyone seems to recommend Mill Creek near Mackinaw City.

You are in for a treat, it will be a great trip.

To get started search this Forum in the RV Parks section for the locations you will visit eg. Mackinaw City, Traverse City, etc.

Maybe a sort of loop with Porcupine Mountains area, copper harbor, Houghton area then down to Pictured Rocks, then Grand Marais, Taquannamon Falls, Castle Rock, Mac island from St Ignace (look for the schedule that takes the ferry out under the bridge before heading to the island) then down along lake Mich through Harbor Springs and Petoskey, lk Charlavoix, Torch Lk, Traverse city cherry festival (apache trout restaurant on the west bay), charter/lk trout fishing with a guide named sonny in Acme on east bay Lol,Mission point/ peninsula, Leelinau wine country, north port(?), sleeping bear dunes, crystal Lk, Platte river, Frankfort, manistee. Dont go to Detoilet. Its a ghetto.