Ludington VS Sleeping Bear / Platte River Campground

[bgradert]

Here is a question for you folks who have been to Ludington and Platte River campground.

We are planning our very first trip to Michigan and have narrowed our destinations to two. Ludington or Platte River. I have some questions as we are planning a June 18th to 25th trip;

- Would you go to Ludington or Platt River? We are planning a 7 night trip. Would you do both?
- Will the weather be warm enough to enjoy the rivers and lakes?
- Black Flies. What are the black flies like during that time of year?
- Are there plenty of things to do?
- Would you go in July rather than late June?

Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[Opie431]

Platt River has sites that are large and private which is what we like. Most of the sites have electricity but one loop does not. Get your reservation in now as ever since someone came out with the information that they have the best NP sites they fill up fast,

[2gypsies1]

When you get to Sleeping Bear Dunes you'll know why there are no reservations left. 🙂 It's a beauty!

[michigansandzil]

bgradert wrote:
I made my reservation 6 months out last week. Checked it today, sold out. Crazy.

Yep, normal. There is no spontaneity when it comes to camping near Lake Michigan in the summer at a state park.

[stripit]

This place is about 1/2 hour East of Ludington, but well worth the drive. If you can find the time to spend a night inbetween one of the other parks you decided to go to you will find an amazing place in the woods. Pere Marquette Oaks, RV Resort

[brirene]

Actually, normal. Glad you were able to get some dates. Have a great time!

[bgradert]

I made my reservation 6 months out last week. Checked it today, sold out. Crazy.

[camperforlife]

You can't go wrong with either. As someone else said, plan early as getting reservations can be challenging. If you can't get in an want to stay around Ludington, Pancho's Pond is a decent alternative for a private CG.

[Parrothead_Mike]

bgradert wrote:
Thank you so much. ! Like Parrothead Mike said, there is always next year!

Do you know if there are any Fourth of July activities in that area? We are either thinking the last week of June or fourth of July week.

Just a note on your possible dates: The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is July 2-9, 2016. Lots of parades, air show, and the usual festival happenings.

[ericosmith]

bgradert wrote:
Thank you so much. ! Like Parrothead Mike said, there is always next year!

Do you know if there are any Fourth of July activities in that area? We are either thinking the last week of June or fourth of July week.

Don't know if they'll do it this summer but often the SS Badger has an evening cruise along the lakeshore on the 4th which ends with viewing the fireworks from out on the lake.

[bgradert]

Well I went ahead and booked three days in Holland and 5 nights at Platte River. Were going to save Ludington for another time!

[dewey02]

Be sure to take the scenic drive through Sleeping Bear Dunes Natl. Lakeshore.
We were there during the first two weeks of June last year. Neither mosquitoes nor black flies were a problem (but I don't know if we were just lucky).

[bgradert]

Thank you so much. ! Like Parrothead Mike said, there is always next year!

Do you know if there are any Fourth of July activities in that area? We are either thinking the last week of June or fourth of July week.

[2gypsies1]

Definitely Platte River - we volunteered there for nine seasons! 🙂

Sleeping Bear Dunes has awesome beaches and the gentle Platte River gives a safe canoe or kayak ride. The rental can be walked to from the campground - along with an ice cream cone.

The whole area has unique quaint small towns to explore. It's a gorgeous area. You can also take a ferry to South Manitou Island for a day trip and tour the lighthouse (we lived on the island three season to give the tours) and there's also a farm tour of the early inhabitants. No stores so bring your drinks and lunch.

We've never had a mosquito problem and flies were bad only for a few day period one year.

It's an extremely popular park so get your reservations now.

[wing_zealot]

It's not black flies you have to worry about, it's mosquitos. And yes, they will be plentiful. You just need to be prepared. Everything has it's pluses and minuses.