Wilderness State Park, MI

Thanks all...now I need to get off my rear end and make some reservations!

Matt_Colie wrote:
As Dale said, it should be too early for bugs, but if it is, it will require jackets. We have camped a lot in both northern lower and upper Michigan, and it is always good. Long about August the bugs are feeding up for winter, so that is a good time to be elsewhere.

We have never stayed a wilderness, but be aware that ever vehicle entering a MI state park needs an 11$ sticker. Sure, it is good for the year, but this may not be a value if you are only in the state for two weeks. Even with that, the state parks are still decent value.

Matt

Nonresident annual permit is a little under $40, last I knew. Which is worth it if the OP intends to spend at least 3 or 4 days in MI state parks.

Just like everyone has said so far ---wilderness State Park is a nice campground it's fairly small sites along the water but if you go away from the water......the sites are bigger.

Bugs along the water tend to be not too bad usually especially that time of year .

If you get to the Inland Park and if it's near the swampy area there and we get a warm wet spring (because it is still a ways off -)---you could get mosquitoes but.... right by the water there you should not have too much trouble--- and its a good spot too.........basic stuff no frills state park.

Be aware...in addition to a fee for each vehicle...Michigan just raised the per night fees ....Popular parks...went up more,than lesser used parks.....
Be aware of this.:R

Even in May there might still be snow on the ground, especially in the wooded areas. Temperatures were far below average this year, and there was no mid-winter thaw like we usually get. Just months and months of temps well below freezing. Much of Wilderness sits pretty near lake level, and could be soggy depending on how our spring melt goes here in Northern Michigan.

The sites along the water vary from spacious to tiny, with many of the ones on the beach itself being uneven loose sand, not dirt or grass. The inland campground is where the modern showers are, and the sites are grass / dirt, and more uniform in size.

As Dale said, it should be too early for bugs, but if it is, it will require jackets. We have camped a lot in both northern lower and upper Michigan, and it is always good. Long about August the bugs are feeding up for winter, so that is a good time to be elsewhere.

We have never stayed a wilderness, but be aware that ever vehicle entering a MI state park needs an 11$ sticker. Sure, it is good for the year, but this may not be a value if you are only in the state for two weeks. Even with that, the state parks are still decent value.

Matt

I was waiting for others to comment. Wilderness is a great park with electric only, dump station, and water fill at the dump station. The section of park near the lake is smaller sites while the wheel area away from the lake is for larger units. In May you could have very cool weather which means jackets yet no bugs.

You are only a short distance from a Dark Sky park great for stargazing. Mackinaw, the island and other tourist things are nearby.

In May you probably won't need reservations unless you are hitting a holiday.


Have a great time.