[mackinac81]

Originally posted by: kimba01
I always loved Ludington St. Park. Love the lighthouse, the little town, Lake MI, the sand dunes being close, and Hamlin Lake. It is pretty hard to get into though. I also enjoyed Silver Lake St. Park.

I've never managed to get into Ludington, but I'll second Silver Lake. Very nice place

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

I've never managed to get into Ludington, but I'll second Silver Lake. Very nice place

Actually, my ex has great luck getting on the waiting list and then calling once or so a week to see if there were any cancellations.

When we went as kids, they only reserved very few spots, if any. It was a first come basis. I can remember sweating in the long lines (we did not have AC)waiting to see if there were any open spots.

[Ann_Arbor]

Pinery Provincial Park, Ontario- 1 hr east of Port Huron. Great camping on and around coastal sand dunes

[YAZ]

It's been a while since I've camped in Michigan, but I'll give ya some of my favorites. Hopin' y'all have a chance to go before summer is over....

Brighton State Recreation Area - Murray Lake Campground

A "rustic" campground that is only open from Memorial Day weekend 'til Labor Day weekend; weekends only I should add. Kinda small with secluded sites, water from a hand pump and nasty outhouses. The DNR enforces "quiet time" after dark, which really enhances the experience. Bring a rowboat/canoe and your own toilet paper.

Ossineke

A cool 'lil spot that is right off Old U.S. 23 on the south end of Thunder Bay. THE best place to catch the Michigan sunrise while you're enjoying your coffee. Stunning.

Monacle Lake - just west of Brimley

One of my favorite spots in da U.P. You can hear the freighters on the big lake while you're laying down for the night. Prepare for bear!

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by Bydand

I forgot about Van Riper, I stayed there about 6 years ago. Very nice place.

Originally Posted by 1eyedjack

I've stayed at Michigamme Shores Campground several times over the years and really liked it there also. Just down the road a few miles from Van Riper.
Have been going to school over the summer and now also for the fall. Probably won't make it up there this year

We went hiking in the McCormick Wilderness tract (the west entrance), I think it was Tuesday?? Anyhow we've been eyeballing the area to buy a house in so we spent the evening exploring. Drove by Michigamme Shores Campground but didn't stop in (we should of in retrospect) and drove through Van Riper so we can pick out a few preferred campsites to check the reserve status (going to camp there weekend after next) and we were shocked at how empty it was!! Gorgeous week for camping and I would guess it was only 15 - 20% occupied!!
Appears many folks must be staying close to home to do thier camping.

For the lower peninsula I also second Ludington State Park and........ awwww I forget the name! What's that park/campground just north of Franfort but south of Sleeping Bear Dunes?? Those are the two we went to the most when I was growing up.

[SALteacher]

Ludington...it's the best hands down. Great town, great atmosphere and wonderful state park with beautiful beaches that match and even beat Florida's

[suydam]

If we're only talking state parks, then my favorite for hiking, camping, sight-seeing and pretty much everything else outdoors is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Seriously folks, if you haven't been there, you're missing out. Unfortunately it's a LONG ways away for must of us.

In the lower peninsula, I like Wilderness State Park (as previously mentioned) for camping, Ludington State Park for swimming, Hoffmaster State Park for a great blend of the two.

[nessatar]

We love Porcupine Mountains State Park. Lots of great trails and waterfalls. And rustic campgrounds that are private and quiet. They have YURTS now! I cannot wait to try them out! And I've always wanted to cross country ski there, but haven't had the change. It's a long drive to make in the winter...

It's a national park, but Isle Royal National Park is awesome. Hard to get to and I'll be lucky to go twice, but really... it's stunning.

There is also a campground... I think Lake Michigan Recreation Area? It's just north of St. Ignace. Lots of sites right on the dunes and close to a lot of "touristy" stuff if for doing the sightseeing thing during the day.

I think Ludington is a beautiful park and the beach is amazing, but I don't like camping in such close proximity to other people. Personal preference of mine. I like really small campgrounds with no hook-ups.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

ok, i know i already put in for Wilderness State Park for being my favorite..i. Must add that I LOVE tahquamenon state park.....one summer i spent nine different mini-camping trips up there (i was a "tripper" for camp walden)....our days consisted of first visiting upper falls...then if it was warm we'd either row boats to the lower falls island or walk across shallow water to get there, then spend the day swimming in the various waterfalls all around the island-some of the campers would lay out in the sun on the flat rocks...others would go exploring in the woods......if we had a more adventurous group we'd hike between the upper and lower falls.....we would go on any Explorer guide or interpreter programs/hikes to see old bear dens, or to pick wild blueberries....there is a nice shallow semi-warm beach on lake superior right in paradise near the tahquamenon river mouth....we would go up to whitefish point to watch the sunset and to skip stones...........of course our night was topped off by a camfire and smores

[Dchickie]

Ludington State Park!!