Forum Discussion

Thismamacamps's avatar
Thismamacamps
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017

Southern/central Michigan state park camping w/toddler

Hello,

This is my time using the forum so help me out with all my mistakes ...

I'm working on planning a long weekend trip to southern/central Michigan and looking to stay on the beach.

We have camped in Van Buren, Grand Haven, South Haven, and Taverse City.

I would like to be at the beach AND walking or biking distance to town. I would prefer a town that had some decent restaurants and things to do. We love Grand Haven and Traverse City, but were looking for something different.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
  • travelnutz's avatar
    travelnutz
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2017
    We live at Grand Haven, God's country and seldom leave in summer, but wife happened to find a week opening at Burt Lake State Park just south of Mackinaw City so here we are for a week with the boat too over our 56th anniversary. Seldom happens in summer to find a site open for a week here. Do what you gotta do! He he
  • dverstra's avatar
    dverstra
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2017
    GordonThree wrote:
    Great point. Looking forward to back to school, thin out the crowds at the parks.


    X2 Waiting for the quiet to return.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    Rog & Nan wrote:
    You should also be aware that if you are in a motor home and pulling a car you will be charged daily for both vehicles even though the MH stays in place as a trailer would. If it has a Motor you pay a daily entrance fee even if you don't move the car. Michigan state parks as in Indiana are reserved months in advance and weekends are full even after school starts. But with that said all above mentioned parks are well worth a visit.


    Starting this year, non residents will be required to purchase daily passes or a season non resident pass for the MH, while the toad will cost $7 for a pass that is good for the length of the stay.
  • Rog___Nan's avatar
    Rog___Nan
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    You should also be aware that if you are in a motor home and pulling a car you will be charged daily for both vehicles even though the MH stays in place as a trailer would. If it has a Motor you pay a daily entrance fee even if you don't move the car. Michigan state parks as in Indiana are reserved months in advance and weekends are full even after school starts. But with that said all above mentioned parks are well worth a visit.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    drsteve wrote:
    GordonThree wrote:
    drsteve wrote:
    If you do not already have reservations, you will have a very hard time getting a site that is on the water.


    Young State Park, should be able to get a water site late September. Boyne City is an easy walk from the park, there's a paved trail now.


    The OP did not say when he planned to go. I was assuming between now and Labor Day, but you are correct--once the kiddies go back to school, it gets a lot easier.


    Great point. Looking forward to back to school, thin out the crowds at the parks.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    GordonThree wrote:
    drsteve wrote:
    If you do not already have reservations, you will have a very hard time getting a site that is on the water.


    Young State Park, should be able to get a water site late September. Boyne City is an easy walk from the park, there's a paved trail now.


    The OP did not say when he planned to go. I was assuming between now and Labor Day, but you are correct--once the kiddies go back to school, it gets a lot easier.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    drsteve wrote:
    If you do not already have reservations, you will have a very hard time getting a site that is on the water.


    Young State Park, should be able to get a water site late September. Boyne City is an easy walk from the park, there's a paved trail now.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    If you do not already have reservations, you will have a very hard time getting a site that is on the water.

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