Michigan Upper Peninsula camping

[camp-n-family]

Looking for recommendations for state parks in Michigan’s Upper peninsula. We’ve crossed the Mackinaw bridge and done the north side of Lake Superior before. We’re thinking of exploring the south side this summer. Family of 4 with a large dog and 35’ tt. Prefer wooded areas over open field camping and outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and fishing. Any suggestions? Thanks

[Parrothead_Mike]

Brimley SP is a nice grassy park west of Sault Ste Marie and on the big lake with a nice beach.

A bit further west in Grand Marais is a nice municipal park called Woodland Park. It's a first come park with electric & water on a bluff overseeing Lake Superior. You can walk or ride bikes to the small downtown area. Try Lake Superior Brewing Co. and their pizza.

You can then take a county road (H-58) out of Grand Marais westerly to Munising. Nice ride!

Munising has plenty to do and Tourist Park is right on the lake with views of Grand Island. Besides Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore there are plenty of waterfalls in and around Munising.

Marquette doesn't have a great campground there, although there is another Tourist Park on the north side of town near the Upper Harbor area with the ore boats come & go.

The Porcupine Mountains SP is the largest state park in MI. Lots of hiking trails and plenty of beauty. Union Bay SP in on the north end of the park and it's ok. If you get a chance go to the south end of the park and take the hiking trails along the Presque Isle River. Plenty of virgin forest, waterfalls, rocks, and it flows into Lake Superior. There is a campground on the south end, but it's rustic, although much prettier than Union Bay.

The Keweenaw Peninsula north of Houghton/Hancock is pretty. Fort Wilkins SP at northern tip in Copper Harbor is nice, but there's not much swimming there.

Personally, I'd shoot for the Porcupine Mts. I've been there many times and it's got a lot of wilderness.

BTW, there's a state park west of Marquette about 40 miles called Van Riper SP. It's at the east end of a very large lake. Might be a good stopover area, but get your groceries in the Marquette area first.

[garmp]

On your way up, try Wilderness State Park. We made a day/night over there and wished we had more time. Very nice park.

[camp-n-family]

Thanks for the replies so far. We got 2 weeks in July booked. It seems we were a little late to the party as several places were booked up already. Couldn’t get into Munising or near pictured rocks so we booked Fayette Historic park and Tahquamenon SP. We’re going to try North Higgins on the way up for a couple nights and Bay City recreation park on the way home to break up the drive.
Now just have to wait for the snow to melt so we can hit the road.

[drsteve]

Greydennyhawk wrote:
I am just too confused with all this UP, down, south of bridge, north of Bridge.......

I will leave it alone, until my brain thaws out about April 15 th?

Get your compass ready...

North shore of the UP is the south shore of Lake Superior. South shore of the UP is Lake Michigan, or Lake Huron, depending on if you are west of the bridge, or east of the bridge. South of the bridge is the lower peninsula.

Hope that helps... 😉

[Greydennyhawk]

I am just too confused with all this UP, down, south of bridge, north of Bridge.......

I will leave it alone, until my brain thaws out about April 15 th?

[GordonThree]

Here's another one to check out, Lake Gogebic state park. Both wooded and open sites on a big inland lake.

[dodge_guy]

troubledwaters wrote:

Greydennyhawk wrote:
Check out the area around Frankenmuth, we stayed at Jellystone, but I think there are other more rustic spots. Good creeks for fishing and kayak travels around this nice area. Cool town also!!

Unless they moved it recently, Frankenmuth isn't in the UP by about 200+ miles.

Turn the map over and it is!

[troubledwaters]

Greydennyhawk wrote:
Check out the area around Frankenmuth, we stayed at Jellystone, but I think there are other more rustic spots. Good creeks for fishing and kayak travels around this nice area. Cool town also!!

Unless they moved it recently, Frankenmuth isn't in the UP by about 200+ miles.

[Hammerboy]

2gypsies wrote:
All the above recommendations are for the north side of the UP. Unless I'm reading it wrong the OP wants ideas for the south side. 🙂

Not far from the bridge is Brevoort Lake campground - not a state park but I recall it's a national or state forest service campground. Also check out Fayette State Park. You do have more choices on the north side.

He said south side of Lake Superior which covers pretty much the U.P.:)

Dan

[GordonThree]

dalenoel wrote:
Fayette State Park has no facilities but just north is Indian Lake and it will work well for your size. Fayette and Palm Book are close to visit and very cool.

X2 on Fayette Historical State Park. It's really neat seeing an entire old town preserved. They were doing upgrades to the camping area last time I was there.

If you visit Indian Lake, you must make time to see kitch-iti-kipi ... It's a beautiful natural spring fed by ice cold water.

[Greydennyhawk]

Check out the area around Frankenmuth, we stayed at Jellystone, but I think there are other more rustic spots. Good creeks for fishing and kayak travels around this nice area. Cool town also!!

[dapperdan]

I'll "second" the motion on Munising City park! We've stayed there the last two years, very nice place. I would add do a little research for the exact area in the UP you are headed to, there are a ton of beautiful hiking trails that will take you to gorgeous water falls. There are several scattered throughout out the UP. Bond Falls is exceptional!

The keweenaw peninsula is beautiful! If in that area make sure to check out the Jam Pot. There's a great mine tour to be had in Hancock as well.

LOTS to see and do in the UP.

Dan

[dalenoel]

Fayette State Park has no facilities but just north is Indian Lake and it will work well for your size. Fayette and Palm Book are close to visit and very cool.

[2gypsies1]

All the above recommendations are for the north side of the UP. Unless I'm reading it wrong the OP wants ideas for the south side. 🙂

Not far from the bridge is Brevoort Lake campground - not a state park but I recall it's a national or state forest service campground. Also check out Fayette State Park. You do have more choices on the north side.

[theoldwizard1]

CarnationSailor wrote:
McLain SP. Woodsy and right on the water.

I have not been there in quite awhile, but it was very beautiful.