camping in machigan

Start here, Pure Michigan, for destination ideas. I keep it as an app on my phone.

For antique shopping, you might do well in the small cities strung out along southern Michigan along US-12 / I-94 (Detroit to Chicago) or I-96 (Detroit to Muskegon). Williamston, east of the Lansing area, is a nicely recovering small city catering well to visitors.

Growing up in southern Michigan, though, camping, RVing, and vacations were all about "going up North" which meant something north of Mount Pleasant, ideally Gaylord and beyond. The area around Traverse City is the real summer visitor hot spot, the place to be if you can afford it.

No specific campground recommendations (my preferences may not be yours) except that my favorite place for the past 50 years has been Interlochen State Park, just west of Traverse City. But Interlochen is so nice that it stays booked solid for the whole summer, more so than some of the Lake Michigan beach parks.

Most of the time when I go back to Michigan, I stay with relatives, have lots of them happy to have me visit.

Fourth of July weekend is the busiest in the Michigan Summer season, for accommodations and road congestion, particularly getting to the northern half of the Lower Peninsula. The Fourth is when the smarter Michiganders stay home to celebrate with family, or go to a local park. Then they take their lake or northern woods vacations later in the summer.

I wish you good luck finding a place, if you can figure out where to go.

KOA in Petosky would be a great place to roam from. Small towns to shop in. Beautiful coast line and parks.

There is a Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park near South Haven. South Haven has some really good shops, and several are great for Antiques, Farmers Market, Lake Michigan, Beach, Tall Ship tour and ride, great little shops and some very nice restaurants. The campground has a pool and all the other things you would expect at a campgrounds.

Might want to try Frankenmuth or Holland if you're looking for interesting towns.

We've stayed that the Yogi in Frankenmuth twice. It's a nice park but the pool is inside. We go for the Halloween camps and it's perfect.

I've never stayed in Holland so I have no personal reference for campgrounds in that spot, but I'm sure the area is loaded with them.

Go to Ludington, Ponchos Pond or the others nearby. Plenty to do, great food, Lake Michigan, and several pools.

There are probably hundreds, if not more, locations that would fit your wants. Pure Michigan website will give you lots of information. Have a great trip!

Mackinaw Mill Creek Resort is large and they have a pool. They are also located in the Straits of Mackinac (between Lakes Michigan and Huron) so you could just jump into the big water which might be a bit colder.

Mackinaw MI.? that is something you guys might like! the bike ride (only way around other than horse and carriage) around the Island is great and there are a lot of small shops there. beautiful area.

We have not decided on a specific area. My wife however does like small quaint towns and loves to shop for antiques. We are looking for private campgrounds.