Lake Superior Circle tour

[two_travelers]

Planning on taking Circle tour around Lake Superior in the spring starting Ste. Sault Marie. Our thoughts are to do it in mid to late May. Is that a good time to go in terms of bugs, crowds, weather etc.? Also at that time are the Provincial and RV campgrounds open then? Any must see/do things?

Thanks to all who share their knowledge.

[campingchessies]

We did the circle tour about 5-6 years ago, going clockwise. Our son goes to college at MTU in Houghton, so we made many trips there taking him to/from school. We made the tour when we dropped him off for his 1st year in late Aug.
Many years we had snow in the UP in the spring when we picked him up at the end of the year - as late as mid-May. Because of that many campgrounds were not open, or if they are, limited facilities (no water or the restrooms were closed) due to snow/cold.
Our circle tour was great. Since we made it after Labor Day, hardly any crowds at all, and still warm. Bugs were not an issue at that time either. My brother did the trip in October, and he ran into CGs closing for end of season.
Our favorite places on our trip - Gooseberry Falls SP in Minn, Sleeping Giant Provincial in Ontario, and Pukaskwa National Park on the North shore in Ontario. But we enjoyed all of our stops.
You do need passport or a enhanced ID to cross the border. Also any pets need documents for vaccinations. At the Soo was the only place we were asked for info on our dogs for all the times we have crossed the border.

[draboo]

I lived in the UP around 50 out of 63 years. Presently in mid OR.

"9 months of winter and 30 days of bad sleddin'" aboot sums it up!

It is a beautiful, scenic area that I cannot stay away from. We are hosting a campground at Sunset Lake Park in Iron County this summer, if anyone is in the area and needs a primitive campsite for a night. 13 sites with a pavillion with kitchen available. 10 bucks a night.

[Parrothead_Mike]

I've lived in the U.P. and will totally agree with others about the bugs in late May and early June. They can be bad news when you're looking to have some sight-seeing fun. July/August/early September is the best time for traveling and camping in that area. You might even get to swim in Lake Superior during that time. While the bug count will be down during this time period be sure to bring a couple of fly swatters with you.

[dewey02]

JaxDad wrote:
As was stated, spring comes a little later, and winter arrives a little earlier up there.

A few years back we spent the last weekend of May snowed in at the airport in Wawa Ontario.

The folks up there joke that us 'southerners' have 2 months of really nice summer weather and a month either side that's not too bad. They joke they have 2 weeks of really bad snowmobiling and a week either side that's not too bad, that's their summer.

They are joking of course, but there's a grain of truth to it also.

We take off the longjohns on July 3rd. Put them back on on July 5th. 🙂

[JaxDad]

As was stated, spring comes a little later, and winter arrives a little earlier up there.

A few years back we spent the last weekend of May snowed in at the airport in Wawa Ontario.

The folks up there joke that us 'southerners' have 2 months of really nice summer weather and a month either side that's not too bad. They joke they have 2 weeks of really bad snowmobiling and a week either side that's not too bad, that's their summer.

They are joking of course, but there's a grain of truth to it also.

[rolling_rhoda]

Last June 1 we really enjoyed the S shore of Superior. However, there were no boat cruises to Pictured Rocks as the icebergs were large and prevalent. The black flies were just starting near the water in Mackinaw City. And, the bike ride around Mackinac Island was very chilly. It was too cold for Mosquitos. Late spring with cold winds from across the icy water.

[dalenoel]

We did a 17 day trip around Superior August 10 to 27 in August and had no bugs, black flies or mosquito's. Saw 54 waterfalls and many lighthouses. We did do it clockwise. If you want the itinerary then PM me with your email and I'll send it.

[michigansandzil]

Veebyes wrote:
Bugs be damned we are planning an around Superior trip this spring into summer as well but doing it in a clockwise fashion.

We have done 3 Alaskan trips so we know a thing or 2 about bugs. Smear on the deet, get some smoke going from a fire & don't let the bugs win.

Have fun then but I would recommend early September to actually have a nice time.

[Veebyes]

Bugs be damned we are planning an around Superior trip this spring into summer as well but doing it in a clockwise fashion.

We have done 3 Alaskan trips so we know a thing or 2 about bugs. Smear on the deet, get some smoke going from a fire & don't let the bugs win.

[rwbradley]

On the Canadian side I would recommend doing Lake Superior Provincial Park (Agawa Bay)and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. At Agawa, I would personally get a beach front site, great sunsets and the wind off the lake will keep the bugs in check. They are both easily near the top of my list of favorite parks in Ontario. The Trans Canada highway from the Sault to Wawa is some of the most scenic driving in the east, but I cannot imagine it being nearly as nice before the trees have bloomed. I can say that the bugs in central and northern Ontario are fierce in the spring. Having grown up in it and being one of the more bug tolerant people in my family, I find the spring black fly season nothing short of torture. If you have even the slightest concern about Mosquitos or Black Flies, I would not consider it (as previously stated) before August. For me the ideal camping season for the north is around July to the first snow.

[dewey02]

I live near Duluth and and used to live in the U.P. I have travelled up the North Shore (Hwy 61) many times up to the Canadian border. If you can change your plans, I would suggest that you do the circle tour in late August or in the fall.

As others have said, depending on how late the spring is, you may still find ice on inland lakes, and the bugs will be coming out around that time. They really don't subside until about August (depending on how wet the summer is, the dryer the less bugs). By September, they are pretty much gone. Also, in August, you get the benefit of better weather. Of course in early May, the many waterfalls are at their strength with all the spring snowmelt, so that is nice to see.

If you come in May or June, bring bug spray with lots of DEET and a mosquito headnet. Our mosquitos and black flies just love out-of-state blood types!

[azrving]

^^^^ what he said. The northern lower peninsula is getting decent in late May. The insects can be pure heck but it depends on the year and the area. I have camped near Whitefish point on Superior and not able to leave the camper. Packed up and headed south.

Grand Marai is pretty and a big kayaking spot. Just open Superior water but seems many like to kayak there.
Do picture Rocks, the boat tour, swim at the base of Miners Rock. There is a glass bottom boat tour out of Munising that was interesting. There is a hiking trail in the P Rocks area that goes out to Superior. The shore is all flat rock with waist deep water. A short distance out it drops off 40 feet or so to rippled sand. I believe it's called Mosquito falls. What I just talked about would be best to do in July and August as Superior is never warm anywhere. It's beautiful as you go west along the shore and over to Copper country and down to the Porcupine Mts.

[Cobra21]

Might be a little early, many times the ice gets off the northern Minn. lakes in mid May. I know this because I go up for the fishing opener in mid May and the weather is usually terrible as in cold and wet. I wouldn't go before June.

Brian