Tossing it out there ... planning our vacation..

Smokey's are nice. Lot of history too.

Colorado too. Many places. You could spend a whole month there south of I-70.

Crossing the border into Canada is not a problem. You need passports or enhanced driver license to return into USA. Michigan has a lot to do. Coast of lake Michigan has some great places to visit. For the kids there is Silver Lake. Further north is Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes NP. Mackinaw at the tip of the peninsula. Lots to do around Metro Detroit.
We like Canada. Niagara Falls and Toronto are prime areas. Other areas are Kingston and Gananoque, Ontario. We like Tobermory, Ontario and the Bruce Peninsula also.
So many places to visit in Michigan and Ontario and so little time.

You could just put up a map of the good ol USA and thro a dart, check out where it sticks and if not good next turn. I don't believe you could go wrong with either choice you have so far. It is amazing what we have found within 500 miles or less from our home. Larry

Michigan is wonderful in the summer, (right now it's 3 not including wind chill and I'm ready to lose my mind!).

We're all about the water here. I have to politely disagree with the previous poster, I would never encourage anyone to visit the Metro Detroit area. Not exactly a city worth visiting. But the lakes here are fantastic.

I prefer Lake Michigan, it can't be beat. Just throw a dart on a map on the western coast, you can't really mess up. White sand and fresh water as far as you can see. Numerous state parks are on the water and if you can't get a reservation at the campground, you can always stay at a private campground and go to the beach for the day.

If you're looking into crossing the border then you may want to visit Lake Huron instead. You could start north and go to Mackinac Island for a day or two then try to get a spot at Tawas Point State Park before heading over the border. But that's a lot of north to go south driving. You also have the option of Lake Erie, but I have to be honest that Lake Erie isn't worth the drive. Lake Michigan is really where it's at.

Do you realize that Sarnia is only 3.5 hours from Niagara Falls? If you're coming from Texas, I am guessing your kids have never been there. What's 3 more hours to see the falls. The Canadian side is very touristy but the best way to view the falls. TONS to do there.

A lot of nice lakes and State Parks in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Then go up in to Canada from there. Great summer camping.

Jenny,

Michigan is a great destination. Unfortunately, there is so much that I don't know what to recommend unless we have some input.
Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Ghost Forest are all neat and can kill several days. You will want the Jeep for the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive (don't miss that).
As you come up from the south, if you are west, look up the Gilmore car museum. If the kids are interested, you should also stop at the Kalamazoo Air Museum (Zoo). (It used to called the air zoo because they housed a collection of Grumman Cats.)
If you are coming up east, do not miss spending at least a day, maybe two at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (attached, but two items). Each of these can kill a day if you have the time.

Let us know what you are most interested in and further advice can be more directed.

Matt

Thank you all so very much for your input! These are great suggestions! We love visiting the museums and doing the things that each of you mentioned. It's all right up our ally.

I found this really great article about beautiful locations around the US. It's directed toward those who love to take photos, but has some really great suggestions!
http://www.campercorralms.com/--have-camera-will-travel

crossing the border into Canada at Sarnia. Has anyone ever done that in an RV? Any problems you encountered?

Yes, indeed, we have done that with our 34' fifth-wheel. We did not encounter any problems at all, a very pleasant experience.

We met friends who live in Ontario at the park they reommended for us: Fifty Point Conservation Area on the shores of Lake Ontario and close enough to Niagara Falls to drive over to visit the Canadian side.

We did go up through Ohio and Michigan. We met other RV friends at a State Park on Lake Erie. In Ohio we stayed at Sauder Village RV Park

I don't know how much time you have for the trip, but you could come back by New York state, Pennsylvania Amish area, even the Smokey Mountains, for example. We came back by Montecello in Virginia and Sevierville in Tennessee. These are just examples of the possibilities.

Jenny,
On a side note, did you do Angels Landing at Zion? That will make your legs tremble!