MIchigan Camping Trip

Jellystone at Silver Lake has tons of activities for the kids. It is along Lake Michigan. It is only 20 minutes from our house but we leave our camper there for 7 weeks. There is a lot to do in the area as a family. Just do a Google search and you will see what I mean. There is also Duck Creek Campground which is across from Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park which just happens to be 10 minutes from my house. You can message me if you have any questions about this area.

If your trip is this summer it will be tough to get a campsite at the more popular state park campgrounds at this late date, especially along and near Lake Michigan.

Duck Creek RV Resort is a nice place directly across the street from Michigan's Adventure

Traverse City State Park is convenient to a nice beach on the bay, nearby family activity buusinesses, and a paved biking/hiking trail running adjacent to the campground.

Mackinaw City is another family friendly area with Mackinac Island a popular destination.

The trip is for next summer. That's why I'm on it so early--I know the state parks are hard to book. Where is a good place to stay Near Mackinaw Island? I have more questions but busy at work right now.

Thanks so much!

Jeremy

The kids would love Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Great fun running up and down the dunes.

Mill Creek is a nice Campground in Mackinaw City.

Almost anything along highway 31- Silver Lake brings back memories of 30 years ago when watching the sun go down my daughter said 'daddy, do it again'. Sleeping Bear is great. Traverse City and Petoskey are really nice areas. Out near the middle, Hartwick Pines State Park gets you a lot of logging history, and either Grayling or Gaylord (I don't remember) is the Fred Bear museum. And just east of Petoskey is Indian River. Getting into the U.P., you gotta go to the Upper/Lower Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point lighthouse.

Why not plan a loop around Lake Michigan? We did a similar trip years ago and it is still one of our kids favorites!

Start at D H Day campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. Head up to Petkosky for a few days. There is a lake front state park there. You can then camp near Mackinaw Island. You can take the bridge to the UP and work your way over to Door County, WI. Peninsular State Park in Door County is very nice. On your way back to NJ you can spend time visiting Chicago and stay in a state park, Indiana Dunes near Gary, ID.

You are wise to plan and book in advance. I know that D H Day and Peninsular campgrounds are very popular.

Wilderness State Park is right on lake Michigan. I'm talking 150' walk into the water. Great swimming for little kids. It's very shallow a long way out. You may need to set an alarm to book your site though. I think it's 6 months prior to your stay. I believe that some (enthusiastic) people book extra days prior to their stay then cancel in order to ensure a choice site. The park is about 10 minutes west of Mackinaw City where you catch the ferry to the island.

Thank you for the responses. This is exactly what I was looking for.

I agree with Silver Lake Yogi Bear. We go there every year.

We just went to Hartwick Pines. The campground was very nice but I wouldn't go in the middle of summer. There's no pool and no beach anywhere close by.

Tawas Point State Park is very nice. You have both shallow calm bay and the open water of Lake Huron with big waves.

When we went to the UP we stayed at Brimley State Park and used it as a central location to go to Mackinac, Tahquamenanon Falls, and Pictured Rocks. If you're going to the UP, you have to go to Munising and take the boat tour of Pictured Rocks. It's beautiful.