Reservations Needed In W Michigan & UP?

[Nutinelse2do]

We will be going North from Elkhart around the 12th of September, and have decided to check out Western Michigan and the UP for about 5-6 weeks.

Will reservations be necessary, or are we ok since it's after Labor Day?

Any recommendations for FHU or Partial Hook up Parks along the Lake for a 35' fifth wheel?

We are planning on parking and taking our bikes on the ferry to Mackinaw Island. Any must sees there, or along the way?

Thanks!

[DaYooper]

Some well regarded campgrounds in the UP, I can't imagine reservations would be needed, unless the town has some sort of event going on,but it would be safe to call ahead.

Aune Osborne in the Soo, allows you to watch the freighters go by on the St Mary's River: http://www.saultcity.com/Page/216

Grand Marais, Woodland Tourist Park. Cute little town and a decent way to see the east side of Pictured Rocks: http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/woodland-park.php

Munising Tourist Park, beautiful and has full hook up sites right on Munising Bay. Lots of waterfalls and sights to see on the west end of pictured rocks: https://munisingtouristpark.com/

City of Houghton RV park on the Portage River has full hookups and a great home base to see the Keweenaw: http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-rv.php

Another great option is McLain State Park on Lake Superior and just a few miles from Houghton/Hancock and Calumet. Only electricity here but the sunsets are beautiful and can be watched right from your campfire.

[Dick_B]

We always stay at Mackinaw Mill Creek Resort with our bikes. You can either ride into town (20 minutes) or drive to the ferry parking lot (we always take Sheplers) for the ride across to Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island. The trail around the island is about nine miles and is one of our favorites. If you are really feeling it one can ride ACROSS the island by taking the road past the Grand Hotel.
If you are really into biking there is a trail across the highway from the campground that goes thru the woods either into Mackinaw City or the other way to Cheboygan and beyond.
Be sure to have a Pastie while in Mackinaw City and watch the video of how the bridge was built at the free theater above Mama Mia's pizza.
and search this Forum for all of the above topics.

[michigansandzil]

Nutinelse2do wrote:
Great information. Thank you all. A friend who grew up in that area told us when the leaves are done changing, run away fast. Was hoping that wasn't till the end of October. Will check on all the closures and suggested campgrounds.
Everyone travel safe.

Be sure to pack warm clothes. I think it was 30* last year when we were there over the 4th of July.

[Nutinelse2do]

Great information. Thank you all. A friend who grew up in that area told us when the leaves are done changing, run away fast. Was hoping that wasn't till the end of October. Will check on all the closures and suggested campgrounds.
Everyone travel safe.

[bfast54]

At 5 to 6 weeks starting that you're going to be right on the edge most everything in the Upper Peninsula closes around October 10th or shortly after that And I do mean everything---- the Forest Service campgrounds things like that.


The state of Michigan DNR campgrounds stay open later---- most of them --but they don't have hookups or anything like that ---and almost all of your private campgrounds close right around October 10th ---so you need to check this out thoroughly-- if you are going to be in that area then still.


A few yrs ago.I Thought I would take a late fall vacation in the Upper Peninsula there's a real nice campground at the Munising City tourist park-- it closes --Aune Osborn Campground in the Soo, closes around Oct 10.. you know when it hits about mid October everything up there is shut down

[arvie]

In the UP campgrounds often close after the leaves fall by mid October. The first week in October is usually prime for color. You probably won't need reservations.

[Allworth]

On the U.P. there are municipal CGs at Houghton and Munising. Houghton makes all of Copper Country available as a day trip (or more likely two or three day trips).

Munising is base camp for Picture Rocks NLS.

Check with the campgrounds to see when they close for the season. Not much is open after the middle of October and maybe sooner. I would advise that for any camping location; State, municipal or private.

[azrving]

In west lower Mich there is the Platte River that goes to Lake Mich, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Suttons bay, Tall Ship Sailing Co on West Traverse bay. The ride north along lake Mich and through Harbor Springs is nice. The Traverse City State Park should be slowing down after labor day.

I would go to the island via Saint Ignace. Much nicer ride imo. Check the schedule as I believe one of the morning boats goes out by the bridge before hitting the island. You shouldn't have a problem with reservations at that time of year. Mich

Taquamenon(?) falls are nice. To the west of there is Grand Maris with a huge picturesque bay. Sable Falls are near GM.

Farther west is Munising and the pictured rocks. They have a boat ride out along the rocks that leaves from downtown and another smaller glass bottom boat that does the old ship wrecks. There were hundreds of wood ore boats lost in the Superior storms. I believe there is a hiking trail to the north east of Munising called Mosquito falls that goes out to a rock ledge shoreline. Minors Rock and beach are also up that way.

We are stopping at the Casino in Christmas on Sept 8 or 9 and then checking out Bond Falls flowage to the west and south of Bruce Crossing. I believe the Sturgeon River Gorge is over near Baraga.



I have been to the Keweenaw peninsula and Copper Harbor but I would investigate it before pulling my FW up there. They actually considered making Calumet the capitol of Michigan during the copper boom. I dont want to tell you to go up to Copper Harbor without knowing about rig size. I'm sure it's doable but? Porcupine Mt and Lake of the Clouds are also nice.

I went to Seney long ago but dont know how accessible it is. They have some rafts or boats that go out over spring feed ponds that are crystal clear.

The drive along Lake Michigan is also nice. Lots of sandy beach areas west of Saint Ignace and also a pull out at the cut river bridge roadside park. It has a walk way and steps down to the lake.

I read your post again and with 5 to 6 weeks you may want to look into the Keweenaw a little more. Rich history in copper mining. I know the last and farthest park is Wilkins at Lake Fanny Hooe. They are driving semis up there so it cant be a problem for RV's. I just remember some twisting areas that seem tight. probably just my memory as it was at least 15 years ago.

Just my opinion but if you want more of a wilderness type trip do the UP. You may even do the Soo Locks boat tour if you are into that type of stuff. Check the closing dates of some of the areas as the season goes on.

[Bob806]

For the Labor Day weekend, yes I would reserve sites (that goes for almost everywhere). Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great area to visit. Wilderness SP is great, we didn't camp there but I wish we would have after visiting there last month.

We camped at a place called Jack Pine near Manistique, and really liked it. There is quite a bit to do in the UP, you'll have fun for sure. I wish we spent more time there instead of near St. Ignace- it was fun taking our bikes over to Mackinac Island though.