Hi All, my lovely bride and I want to take a two week trip up north in August to get away from the mid-west heat. We're thinking about the U/P of Michigan or someplace in Minnesota but have been to neither one so we're looking for suggestions on where to stay. We don't require lots of activities, we just enjoy visiting our camping neighbors and going out to eat and generally unwinding. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

A lot of Minnesota can be just as hot as Missouri in August, plus you have to put up with the mosquitoes too, and the humidity can be equally fearsome. We spent several summers there when I was a child. Lots of lakes though if you like to fish, boat, or canoe.I was in the UP in August after leaving the Oshkosh fly-in and the weather was pretty pleasant. However you'll have to get more information from someone who had been there more than the one time I passed through.My choice would be the UP.

Both places are great to visit.We like the upper U.P. the best. When it gets hot we go over and camp by lake Michigan to beat the summer heat. Have a great vacation.

Both northern Mn and the UP can be hot, humid, cold, dry, wet, rainy, or sunny. The bugs can be bad in both places. Not much of a difference. If the wind is from the north, drier and cooler. Wind from the south means warmer and more humid.Both places are beautiful and peaceful, if you find the right campground.In MN, the state parks fill up fast for August. All state parks with camping have some non-reservable sites. Get there on a Monday morning or Tuesday morning and you can nab one of these and stay up to 2 weeks... There are a few electric and non-electric sites in this category.There are plenty of city, county, and private parks in the upper half of MN. Finding a place to camp shouldn't be a problem...Good luck

Having summered in the U.P. several times, and visited lakeshore Minnesota, I would say your chances of cool weather are about the same both places if you are on the Lake Superior shore, but most of the rest of Minnesota might as well be in the Dakotas or Iowa, hot continental summer climate.That being said, one late June day when I was in Marquette it set a record as the hottest place in the U.S. that day, and the next day it was the coldest. The storm in between was really interesting and I was happy not to be camping that night.No guarantees.

Despite being Northerly, Michigan's UP is anything but cool in the summer time, and the mosquito's love it up there, hot, humid and lots of ground weather.Its cold and humid right now in Northwest Lower Michigan, been that way for more than a week. Forest Festival will start in a few days, HUGE draw for tourists.

U/P Michigan or Minnesota? | Good Sam Community

dverstra
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Sadly, I will be home from the U.P. on August 8 and working.:(
Paul1944
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Thanks to everybody for the info, I knew I could count on my FF (Forum Friends).
We have decided to visit the UP. Leaving home on Aug 15 so expect to arrive at UP on 17th for a 10-day stay.
Now all we have to do is decide where to stay and whether or not we need to make reservations.
We hope to meet some of you there.
Thanks again.
Winged_One
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Minnesota.
mich800
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
I will add if you are into mountain biking. The trails at Michigan Tech and Copper Harbor are worth the trip alone.
MNRon
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
You're going to have a great time going in either direction.

We love our annual August trip up the north shoren of MN, it's a beautiful drive - lots to see. We've stayed each of the last 22yrs at the Grand Marais municipal park (previously mentioned). It's on the lake and a walk into town. Sven and Ole's wild rice pizza is GREAT, the Angry Trout is a very nice restaurant for more up-scale tastes. Wouldn't miss this trip each year.

We've also camped a couple times per year for the last 6 in the Keweenaw peninsula (UP) as our son was going to college at MTU in Houghton. Also beautiful country! We've stayed at McLain State Park but prefer the Hancock municipal campgrounds, more secluded spots right on the portage as McLain seemed pretty packed in during the summer. Lots of things to explore in the Keweenaw, you have to catch the snow thermometer gauge by the side of the road indicating annual snowfall (~25' average if I recall correctly). Many students at MTU fall in love with the UP and want to go back if they get the chance.

In between you could do the lower end of the north shore (Duluth) and then head along the south shore through Superior WI, Bayfield, Ashland and end up in the UP. We've driven this a few times, and camped in the Bayfield area once, again on the Superior shore. If you have enough time, and like to drive you could do the Superior Circle Tour around the whole lake and get to see it all. We did a 10day tour a couple years ago, I wouldn't recommend any faster and suggest taking even more time if you have it. The northeast shore of Superior (in Canada) is gorgeous!

Enjoy!
georgelesley
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
FoCoNoCo wrote:
georgelesley wrote:
I will chime in since the town we live in, Grand Marais, MN has been mentioned. The mosquito fear is being overdone. Yes they are around now, but already starting to fade. By August, no big deal. Staying at the rec park in Grand Marais right on Lake Superior is wonderful. Temps in Aug will likely be in the low 80's max, more likely in the 70's by the lake. Overnite lows 40/50's. With the cold winter we just had, and Lake Superior nearly freezing over completely, camping next to it will be cool.

The entire town is easily seen on foot, and much to see there is. We also love the UP and go there at every opportunity.
. They could have been referring to Grand Marais, Michigan as well....

Since the post mentioned Sven and Ole's pizza place here in Grand Marais, MN, I think he meant the MN GM.
dewey02
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2014
Old Days wrote:
Both places are great to visit.We like the upper U.P. \the best. When it gets hot we go over and camp by lake Michigan to beat the summer heat. Have a great vacation.

I'm not quite sure where the "upper" Upper Peninsula" is located, and I used to live in the U.P. One thing I do know, if you are truly in the upper U.P., you would not be by Lake Michigan, you would be near Lake Superior.

In your vernacular, Lake Michigan (Big and Little Bay de Noc, and the open Lake) would be in "lower Upper Peninsula". I would guess that uppermost Upper Peninsula would be when you are on the Keweenaw Peninsula, which is a truly beautiful part of the U.P.

And I second, third or fourth the comments about not worrying about mosquitos. I really do get tired of non-residents warning people about MN and UP mosquitos in August, September and October. If you come in early-mid June, they are truly thick. Each subsequent hatch gets less as the summer goes on and things dry up. September is our favorite time for camping because both the mosquitos and most other campers are gone for the season. We generally have the state parks and national forest campgrounds to ourselves.

You may also get dire warnings from non-locals that this is BEAR and WOLF country and your dog (and perhaps yourself) will get eaten. Yes, there are bear and wolf here. You will be lucky to see one (you most likely will not) and we locals hike and camp with our dogs and don't have any problems. Just keep your animals on a leash and you will be OK. The state parks and national forests require that pets be leashed anyway, so just follow the rules.
FoCoNoCo
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
georgelesley wrote:
I will chime in since the town we live in, Grand Marais, MN has been mentioned. The mosquito fear is being overdone. Yes they are around now, but already starting to fade. By August, no big deal. Staying at the rec park in Grand Marais right on Lake Superior is wonderful. Temps in Aug will likely be in the low 80's max, more likely in the 70's by the lake. Overnite lows 40/50's. With the cold winter we just had, and Lake Superior nearly freezing over completely, camping next to it will be cool.

The entire town is easily seen on foot, and much to see there is. We also love the UP and go there at every opportunity.
. They could have been referring to Grand Marais, Michigan as well....
reinita
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
To the OP, you're getting excellent advice on the UP. We are partial to Muskallonge Lake State Park because you can do lots of day trips. Plus, you can spend the day on Muskallonge Lake or go across the street to Lake Superior.
Indian Lakes State Park is also a great spot, especially if you want to be on Lake Michigan.
Let us know what you decide and we can all give you tips on your final destination...as long as it's in the UP! ;)
georgelesley
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
I will chime in since the town we live in, Grand Marais, MN has been mentioned. The mosquito fear is being overdone. Yes they are around now, but already starting to fade. By August, no big deal. Staying at the rec park in Grand Marais right on Lake Superior is wonderful. Temps in Aug will likely be in the low 80's max, more likely in the 70's by the lake. Overnite lows 40/50's. With the cold winter we just had, and Lake Superior nearly freezing over completely, camping next to it will be cool.

The entire town is easily seen on foot, and much to see there is. We also love the UP and go there at every opportunity.