Forum Discussion

jibocach's avatar
jibocach
Explorer
May 31, 2013

Ontario/Michigan Campground Recommendations?

We had a 3 week roadtrip planned this summer taking us from Ontario down the east coast to Florida. Unfortunately, my father-in-law has become terminally ill and we don't want to leave my mother-in-law for that length of time alone so soon after his passing. We have canceled the roadtrip part of our adventure (we're spending a week at Disney), but are looking to compensate with some shorter camping trips closer to home. We have a few weekends booked at the KOA in Port Huron, MI but are looking for other recommendations in either Michigan or Ontario that are great for families.

Thanks!
  • tomman58's avatar
    tomman58
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    If port Huron is doable then the Caseville, port Austin area on Saginaw bay is. Try Sleeper state park or Crescent state park in the thumb. The areas beaches are mostly sandy and the water is shallow quite a ways out into the bay.
  • TravelTracer's avatar
    TravelTracer
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    Jtroop1 wrote:
    Check out Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, Mi.


    I've been looking at the Harbortown RV Resort website. We will be spending some time there this summer....never been there before. Do you have any pros/cons about Harbortown...thanks for any ino.

    TravelTracer
  • mbutts's avatar
    mbutts
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    If you don't need full hookups (electric only), Lakeport State park is really nice and RIGHT on the water.

    Lakeport
  • M_GO_BLUE1's avatar
    M_GO_BLUE1
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    TravelTracer wrote:
    Jtroop1 wrote:
    Check out Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, Mi.


    I've been looking at the Harbortown RV Resort website. We will be spending some time there this summer....never been there before. Do you have any pros/cons about Harbortown...thanks for any ino.

    TravelTracer


    Located off I-75 at exit #11 (LaPlaisance Road) in Monroe, MI...if coming southboud I-75 turn right on LaPlasaince Road at exit and park is about 1/4 mile down on left side

    Campground is close to the train tracks but any noise is very minimal if at all...very nice RV resort...across the street is a mini outlet of stores (like Great Lakes Crossing but much smaller), golf course...close to Toledo where they have a casino, horse race track, Toledo Zoo (must-see)...also being not too far from Detroit you have the casino's there also, Belle Isle, Comerica Park for a Tigers game...in Dearborn, MI you have The Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village, Automotive Hall of Fame
  • M_GO_BLUE1's avatar
    M_GO_BLUE1
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    jibocach wrote:
    We had a 3 week roadtrip planned this summer taking us from Ontario down the east coast to Florida. Unfortunately, my father-in-law has become terminally ill and we don't want to leave my mother-in-law for that length of time alone so soon after his passing. We have canceled the roadtrip part of our adventure (we're spending a week at Disney), but are looking to compensate with some shorter camping trips closer to home. We have a few weekends booked at the KOA in Port Huron, MI but are looking for other recommendations in either Michigan or Ontario that are great for families.

    Thanks!


    I can add here the Yogi Bear RV park in Frankenmuth, MI...if you have never been to Frankenmuth it is well worth the stop and make sure you alsogo to Bronner's (huge Xmas store open 361 days of the year)
  • noe-place's avatar
    noe-place
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Jtroop1 wrote:
    Check out Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, Mi.


    I was going to suggest Harbortown too but he beat me to it. I had to be in the area on business for a week so I took the family with me. Harbortown is a great place. Even though the summer amenities were closed we were very impressed with the size of the sites, the cleanliness of the entire resort and the courtesy of the staff. It was autumn and cold but the grounds keepers mowed the grass and picked up things like cigarette butts, etc. DW wants to go back.:B
  • noe-place's avatar
    noe-place
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    noe-place wrote:
    Jtroop1 wrote:
    Check out Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, Mi.


    I was going to suggest Harbortown too but they beat me to it. I had to be in the area on business for a week so I took the family with me. Harbortown is a great place. Even though the summer amenities were closed we were very impressed with the size of the sites, the cleanliness of the entire resort and the courtesy of the staff. It was autumn and cold but the grounds keepers mowed the grass and picked up things like cigarette butts, etc. DW wants to go back.:B
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    Not sure what you are looking for, but my preferences are the public campgrounds (State Recreation Areas, officially) on the chain of lakes from western Oakland County towards Jackson: Highland, Proud Lake, Island Lake, Brighton, Pinckney, Waterloo. Or, for something a little more "organized" Camp Dearborn. Many summer weekends and weeks spent camping in these areas.

    But not the KOA experience, fewer commercial facilities, a lot more open space. If KOA experience is what you seek, then back to the KOA maybe.

    Camp Dearborn is great for organized activities at various age levels.
  • michigansandzil's avatar
    michigansandzil
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Just to add our experiences to the list of suggestions already given:

    The Yogi Bear in Frankenmuth has VERY small sites and you're only allowed to have a fire if you bring your own fire pit. Pay for the deluxe site or your slide will nearly touch your neighbors awning. The pool is indoors so that's ideal for early spring/fall or when it's raining. We plan to go back again, paying for the larger sites.

    Camp Dearborn does not allow dogs at all.

    Highland rec is only for rustic camping. No campers at all.

    Brighton rec was beautiful and we enjoyed it a great deal.......until I found a tick on my 7 year old son. A local fisherman said that there are lots of ticks in the area. Then, I found one in the camper. It must have come off of someone's clothes. I had to bomb the entire camper and refuse to go back!

    Tawas Point state park is pretty nice. It's on Lake Huron and you have the option to swim in either the calm bay or the open water with bigger waves. Some sites are right on the bay side, you just have to walk through the a tree line to get there. They also have a dog beach. The town is nice also.


    I've heard that Port Crescent is really nice. It's at the tip of the thumb on Lake Huron. We have not been there yet.

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