Question about boondocking along the Great Lakes

[Butch50]

After the Midwest Truck Camper Rally my wife and I would like to travel up into Wisconsin and then on into Michigan. I am looking for places that we could boondock along the way. We will be traveling with our TC and pulling a 14' enclosed trailer with out Harley trike in it.

We plan on traveling along the south side of Lake Superior and then across to the Mackinac Bridge and then down the west side of Lake Huron.

Like I said looking for suggestions on some places a person can boondock. Not looking for anything right on the shores of the water.

Also looking for suggestions on what to see. This is the first time up here for the wife and it might as well be for me also as I was about 14yo when I went through some of this area with my folks. So that has been over 50 years ago.

[realter]

sMore people might see this if you post in roads and routes.

[realter]

You might consider taking the ferry over to Macinac (sp) Island. Really interesting place, no cars at all. You can rent a bike and ride around island along the shore, eat fudge and taffy, lol. Really a pretty place. Good day trip.

[GordonThree]

Heading North, maybe along Michigan 35 (western shore of Lake Michigan)? Check out JW Wells State Park, you can camp right on the waters edge.

Check out USFS and DNR motor vehicle use maps for areas you are interested in, they often list "dispersed" camp site locations.

Most of the lakeshore (Michigan / Superior) itself is private property, and they don't take kindly to outsiders (in my experience)... the few public access areas that allow camping are not free but are beautiful.

[camperpaul]

In Wisconsin, annual state park admission sticker cost is $25 for Wisconsin residents or $35 for nonresidents.

Most County parks are free admission.

[dlk]

Butch50, If you will be traveling up through Wisconsin into the UP, there is a county park just north of Menominee on state hwy M-35, right on Lake Michigan there are also a couple more along with a state park north of that in delta county just south of Escanaba. on M-28 just west of Munising is a NFCampground and a city park also. East of Munising along county road H-58 are several State forest campgrounds on small lakes, and H-58 is a road to be ridden by motorcycle to Grand Marais. Along US-2 from Escanaba to the big mac there are a few campgrounds, also just north of Manistique on M-94 lies a private CG and a few federal forest ones also. Any of the State parks and campgrounds require a pass which is like 10 bucks for the year allows entry into any state facilities.

[dewey02]

The Hiawatha National Forest exists in two different units, one in central UP and one in Eastern UP. NFs allow boondocking, especially along old woods roads. They also have nice campgrounds w/o hookups. I suggest you call the Ranger Stations at Munising and Sault St Marie/St. Ignace. Also, consider Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Very nice, but of course not free. The Ottawa NF is in the Western UP and also allows boondocking and also has campgrounds w/o hookups.

Huron-Manistee NF in the lower peninsula also offers camping and parts of the NF are adjacent to Lake Huron. Call the Huron Shores Ranger Station for info.

[JoeChiOhki]

If you're looking for simply a place to rest overnight, the Kelowna Casinos in U.P all had free RV parking with power for overnight.

[Artum_Snowbird]

One thing we find here, if you can pay the price for a decent state park, they like to put them where there is scenic beauty for all to enjoy.

If you really want to boondock and stop for free, you miss some of the best scenery there really is.

[Pepperoni]

I look for scenic view turnouts, historical markers and old type rest stops (before the interstates). Many of these are on the water. The old rest stops are about 50 miles apart along older highways.
Much of that area is state and federal forest. Hunters make access during the season, but will be vacant in summer. Much of this land is thick wilderness. Do not wander out of sight without gps.
In many places, access is provided for boat launching and even paved walkways in nature areas. even bike trails will have parking areas for access.
Areas around river mouths will have parking and services for massive numbers of fishermen, but little traffic in summer.