Northern Michigan

I would recommend taking US 31 to Traverse city, Than M22 around the little finger of Mich. then back to US 31 thru Ludington, Holland, and South Haven.

Yes, there's a lot less traffic on US-23 from Mackinaw City south all the way to Bay City, a distance of 240 miles or 5 hours of driving at the speed limit, and there's many reasons for it. A few are that the 7 counties along Lake Huron coast that US-23 goes thru ahve lost a lot of population in recent years. 5 have lost more than 10% and are still losing. Unemployment is high, welfare and poverty is high, and many businesses have closed or are boarded up. Goggle each county for the details as wikipedia has them thru 2013 or 2014. The West Coast of Michigan is just the opposite as it's prosperous and growing in population constantly and some of the counties are growing very fast.

Another reason is that the air in summer in these US-23 counties is very different that on the West Michigan Coast. It's hotter and far more humid and also much more buggy as the prevailing winds SW, W, and NW blow the air in from over a couple hundred miles of heated land before getting to these counties. It's so much like the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan. Hot and humid in summer and bitter cold in winter as it isn't a tempered climate like on the West Coast of Michigan. The air blowing over the West Coast of Michigan has crossed approximately 100 miles of cooler than the land by 10 to 20 degrees F which is like having natural A/C free. In winter, the now warm lake heat rises and warms the air passing over the West Coast of the State. 5 to 15 degrees difference between being on the shoreline of either the West Coast of the state or the East Coast of the state. Very well documented in many climate reports from actual studies.

Depends on what a visitor to our state wants to see, experience, or be in. Only a few of the 124 lighthouese are along this 240 mile long stretch.

I'm only trying the set the record straight with actual facts anyone can check/research for themselves. The devil's in the details.

On your way south consider taking US-23.....along the lake huron shoreline. It is the "Natural" side of the state without the traffic and tourist traps like in West Michigan. About 2.5 hour from the bridge you will find Harrisville State Park where you can set up camp right on the beach...literally, it is 10 feet from the sand and a beautiful state park. You'll pass many of the states lighthouses like Presquill, Sturgeon pointe, and 30 minutes south of Harrisville is Tawas pointe state park and lighthouse. Many, many small towns with quaint restaurants and shops and a much slower pace than the west shore of Lake Michigan.

If you want a very peaceful stop on your way back home give this place a call and see if they have a lot open. Clean, paved sites, grass and a great pool & spa. Love this place! Pere Marquette Oaks

Thanks for the info. I have reserved a spot at Lakeshore Park Campground. We plan to spend a week or so traveling down through Michagin on our way back south. Any suggestion on thing to see or places to stay?

I'll 8th MillCreek, but the OP wanted info in the U.P. side of the bridge!

X7 on mill creek

Having stayed many times at both Mill Creek CG at Mackinaw City south of the bridge and Straits State Park in St Ignace north of the bridge, both are very nice and are large in site numbers.

The real difference is Mill Creek has a playground, a pool, a sand beach, and a game room for those with smaller kids along who want the campground to babysit them for hours at a time. Lots of noise and kids running around all the time. Has about 600 campsites in several sections on 310 acres.

While Straits State Park generally appeals to older adults or having older kids along as it's a purely natural nature setting and usually is very quiet camping when compared. Has roughly 275 campsites in 3 sections on 181 acres.

Almost apples and oranges! Pick the one that suits your needs and wants.

Both CG's have great views of the huge 5 mile long suspension bridge (longest in the world for many years and still is the longest suspension bridge with only two towers between end anchorages) both day and night. Dwarfs the Golden Gate Bridge in length. The Big Mac is 26,371 feet long and the Golden Gate is only 8,980 feet long. Both are high above the water below, approx 200 feet.

Mill Creek ditto.

X2 on Lakeshore Park we were there a couple weeks ago. Had a site that backed up to the lake. Quiet road between campground and lake. Shuttle service from the campground to the boats to Mackinac Island. St.Ignace is called the quiet side and it was. Msg. if need more info.