Any must see areas in Northern Michigan & Great Lakes?

TragedyTrousers wrote:
Any campgrounds open up in the UP after mid Oct? Was just up there and was disappointed to see most everything close on Oct 16. We wanted to enjoy the cold weather longer.

Isn't Tahquamenon a year round state park? I thought at least one of the campgrounds was open all year. The DNR website says there are 15 campgrounds open all year.

precioustime wrote:
Thinking of going up that way near Canada and Minnesota.

When?

You are pretty much out of season now until April-May for the northern L.P., May-June for the U.P.

In season, I like Traverse City during the Cherry Festival, Sleeping Bear and Interlochen, and Benzie-Betsie area all summer long.

Mid to late May is nice for the U.P., parks, inns and restaurants starting to open but the crowds and biting flies not yet there. To see: Mackinac Island, Soo Locks, museum in the Valley Camp, Marquette iron ranges, mining country in the Keeweenaw, the port at Duluth-Superior (though outside Michigan). Some of the other sites, like the Picture Rocks shore and the falls, it depends on whether you've seen similar things in other places.

Then it gets to what do you want to do? The U.P. parks have places where you can hike and have a sense of being in the wilderness. Traverse City is great if you want the feel of an upscale, artsy resort community, kind of a Sedona on the lake without red rocks. Interlochen for almost continuous permormances of music and theater in the Arts camp. Point Betsie (or a few places on the Superior shore) for going to the beach on a really cold body of water. Deepwater game fishing out of Munising. Small game fishing and pleasure boating on the hundreds of larger small lakes (smaller small lakes number in the thousands). Golfing? That would be Traverse City to Mackinaw City.

If you go now, you are too early for the winter sports season (skiing and snowmobiling) but chances are good the U.P. and northern L.P. will be ready for winter visitors by Christmas. Don't expect RV parks to be open with services, though some campgrounds will be open for winter tent camping.

dewey02 wrote:

GoinThisAway wrote:
I'll add Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquemenon Falls State Park, and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

Wow, tall order. Way too many cool things to list. The above listed, plus Kitchi-Ti-Kipi (big spring), Porcupine Mts State Park and Copper Harbor in the U.P. In Minnesota - Duluth waterfront/canal park, 8 state parks going up the north shore of Lake Superior along Hwy 61 also know as The North Shore Scenic Drive National Scenic Byway. - great waterfalls and Lake Superior Views all along the way from Duluth to Canada. Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais. Plus lots more.

In addition to these I liked Goosebury SP on the N Shore and free diving Lake Superior (found some old wreck debris and some agates in about 20-30 ft of water which was cold). Saw the northern lights in Bay Furnace CG in the UP.

Any campgrounds open up in the UP after mid Oct? Was just up there and was disappointed to see most everything close on Oct 16. We wanted to enjoy the cold weather longer.

We are from MI, so follow the weather. Kind of early snow this year.

doxiemom11 wrote:
If this isn't a future trip, you probably won't want to go now - it's snowing there.

I'm in southeastern Michigan and it's snowing right now. Fun fun.

If this isn't a future trip, you probably won't want to go now - it's snowing there.

Pictured Rocks. Muninsing (SP?) has a city run campground where the tail of our trailer was hanging out over the beach.

Qunicy #2 at Houghton.

michigansandzilla wrote:


Just fyi- each year is different, but we were in the UP last July. It was 38 degrees at night and we wore gloves and made hot chocolate. Also, when we stayed at Tahquamenon Falls the mosquitoes were horrendous; even came into the sealed closed camper. Bring a gallon of bug spray and winter clothes.

Have a great trip.

Hey, that's Michigan. Dress in layers and enjoy any sun that you get.

We did a tour of Lake Superior, went all around it, and saw 54 waterfalls in 17 days plus many lighthouses and other attractions. You won't lack things to do.