Camping in the upper Peninsula of Michigan.

[caseyhoward]

We are looking to go Camping in the upper Peninsula of Michigan.
We will arrive mid August and will have all the time we need to take in the sights.
So give us your must see locations.
It’s my wife I and our dog. We like exploring, hiking, biking, boating, eating out, farmers markets, shopping, casinos, full hookup camp grounds, or boon docking,
We have a 4 wheel drive truck and a 25 foot Nash travel trailer.
looking forward to you tips and information...

[Gjac]

You have received a lot of good information, the only thing I would add is to stop at Bay Furnace CG it is a NFS CG right on Lake Superior. We saw the northern lights from there. Take the tow car to Pictured Rocks CG and hike to the lake, nice hike different views than you get from the boat ride. Lake was clean but cold.

[Trekkar]

August is usually a great month to visit the U.P. We just returned yesterday, and enjoyed our time there once again. Fayette Historic State Park is southwest of Manistique, and a nice park.

Have a nice trip!

[travelnutz]

I think the mine was in Hancock Mi which is north of Houghton right across the lift bridge.

[travelnutz]

jensenst,

I thought the mine tour was fantastic but my wife litterally froze and was speechless until we got back out after they turned the top string light bulbs off for about 5-10 minutes when we were about 1/4 mile inside so you could feel what true total darkness is really like and experience not having any sound or air vibrations at all. It was so erie and you lost the feeling of the fact that were actually standing upright and they had a pipe rail for you to hold on to. You didn't dare to move! It was so weird!

Now she won't even go down in any cave ever because she was so affected and even scared too. The funny part is that she's actually quite adventuris and always has been but don't even suggest her going into a mine or a cave.

[jensenst]

Quincy copper mine tour in Houghten is something you may want to do. Jam Pot in Eagle Harbor is interesting run by Monks

[travelnutz]

There are 3 state park campgrounds in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. All have electric and are very nice. 2 at the lower falls (Portage CG - our favorite and about 1 block walking distance from the viewing area for the lower falls). We have been there every year for the last 57 years. About 370 miles north of our lower peninsula home. Also is Hemlock CG at the lower falls - up the hill about 1/4 mile or so behind the lower falls entrance check in building. The 3rd is the river mouth CG between the Tahquamenon River and where it goes into Lake Superior.

The entire upper peninsula only has 311,000 population or 3% of Michigan's population and it's beautiful. The U.P. is big - 384 miles E to W and about 160 miles N to S. Thousands of lakes and very forested. Michigan has over 11,000 inland lakes (not even including 4 of the 5 huge Great Lakes that border Michigan. There's no place in the state that you can be more than 6 miles from a shore. 87,000 miles of rivers in the state too. Fresh potable water everywhere! So much wildlife everywhere in the U.P. and the L.P. Thousands of various CG's in the state so always one nearby.

[we3]

Couple of ideas that have already been mentioned are mackinaw Island. I would put this on the list of must do. It is an all day place and if you can book a stay on the island, so much the better. We usually stay at Straits S P in St ingnace. Nice park.
Then when in Escanaba Herford and Hops is good if you like craft beers but what was also mentioned is Stonehouse Restaurant and Lounge. All that I need to say on that is to get reservations even on a week day. Every time I have been in there it was packed, and was worth it.

[CFerguson]

Agree with ALL of the above. The UP is a great place to explore. I would add only 2 things:

-Seaman's Museum in Houghton. https://www.museum.mtu.edu/ . I am a geologist and have seen many museums and this one is by far my favorite. The Smithsonian may have more, bigger, and better stuff, but this one blew me away. Its a Must See imo. Great history of the area museum incorporated into it too. The curator obviously is one of the best- a labor of love if I ever saw one.

-you have Got to see the ski jumps up close. I know it isn't the season, but my god are they impressive. you have to be near insane to climb one of those things, much less jump from one! (and no, I am not afraid of heights)


Couple of other thoughts:
- the rangers at the big springs state park must have been having a bad day when we were there- saw them be quite obnoxious to several people for no reason. Very unlike the other parks we visited.
- Bishop Baraga SP was very nice. Peaceful.
- Visit some of the old courthouses if you have time. Some neat old buildings.

[ppine]

Great place. Just be ready for rain, mosquitoes and some cold weather.

[theoldwizard1]

Don't miss Palms Book State Park. No camping, but you will see one of the most amazing fresh water springs in the world, Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring).

[theoldwizard1]

Eating out could be a challenge unless you are willing to try small local grills. Make sure you check their hours. Some may be breakfast and lunch only, others may close before 8 PM.

[Matt_Colie]

The UP is an Amazing Place.

Plan two days in Sault St. Marie. As you get into town, drop someone at the lock visitor center and run it to look at the board and see when the next ship is coming through, then make plans for the day. The board isn't always right, but they try. You really want to be in the upper deck of the "peanut gallery".

Both campgrounds in town are good, and as you have transportation, Anne-Osborne is quieter. Neither is all FHU. No cable either.

There are also three "Museums" in town. River of History is closed on Sundays, the museum ship "Valley Camp" and the Tower. There is a three item ticket that is just barely a deal, but if you don't have time for the tower, you can miss it. The other two are worth the time and money.

When you go north from there toward toward the Whitefish Point Shipwreck Museum, and as you pass through the village of Paradise, look for where M-123 goes west. If you need a place to stay, there is a snowmobiler parking lot about 1/2 mile west of there (on the south side of the road and not marked) and it is mostly unoccupied for the few weeks that there is no snow.

Most of all, take you time and watch your fuel. The UP is not very populated and so you have to be aware of those things.

Matt

[Campfire_Time]

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a bit out of the way but an amazing place to see. Upper and lower falls and a great hike between the two with a shuttle to take you back to your vehicle. There is also a decent brewpub at the upper falls. There is a CG there but we did not take the time to look at it.

The Island Resort and Casino is near Bark River, about 20 minutes from Escanaba. There is an excellent county CG about 20 minutes south of Escanaba right on Lake Michigan, O.B. Fuller County Park, it's also about a 20 minute ride to the casino.

Several good restaurants in Escanaba and nearby. The Hereford and Hops is a brewpub with good beer and and a wide variety of really good food. We have not been to, but have heard great things about Stonehouse Restaurant & Lounge. Mo's Pub is really good. The Upper Brewery has a tasting room near the Delta County airport. No food but excellent beer. In Ford River the Ford River Pub and Grill is great.

In the Keweenau Peninsula we ate at Fitzgerald's. We liked that place a lot.

[dalenoel]

We looped Lake Superior and did 54 waterfalls in 17 days. August is a good time as the mosquito's and black flies are at a minimum.

With less than a couple months you will only get a sample of the UP but it will be enough to bring you back.