Camping in Northern Michigan (Lansing, East Lansing: rent, school, live)

DetroitsOwn · 03-02-2009, 09:59 PM

Me and about 10 friends are looking for a place to camp this May after we get out of school . We would be leaving from East Lansing and would like to drive no more than 5 hours , but would like a pretty remote area where we could maybe rent a cabin on a lake or just pitch a few tents . But would like to be able to go fishing and possibly hike.

Any suggestions?

michmoldman · 03-03-2009, 05:39 AM

If your going five hours you might as well go to the U.P That would be my first choice, but it may be cold there in May. If not, one of my personnal favorites is Alcona county park in Glennie. Its on the Au-Sable river floodwaters above the Alcona dam, has cabins, a place for you to put a tent, good fishing, and its in the middle of the Huron national forest. This is one of my favorite areas in lower MI. we go here every year. its absolutely awesome!
http://www.alconapark.com/

Bydand · 03-03-2009, 06:01 AM

Kid of difficult to get into a "remote" area in the LP really. But maybe somewhere in the Piegon River State Forest by Gaylord and Vanderbilt may work for you. Or Nordhouse Dunes in the Ludington/Manistee area. Even the Manistee National Forest might have what you are looking for someplace out by Walhalla. That is right on the Pere Marquette river and you might get into some steelhead there as well that time of year. Along with some good Brown Trout and a chance to pick up a few good sized Northerns. I just don't know about pitching a tent there.

blackzzz01 · 03-03-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michmoldman

If your going five hours you might as well go to the U.P That would be my first choice, but it may be cold there in May. If not, one of my personnal favorites is Alcona county park in Glennie. Its on the Au-Sable river floodwaters above the Alcona dam, has cabins, a place for you to put a tent, good fishing, and its in the middle of the Huron national forest. This is one of my favorite areas in lower MI. we go here every year. its absolutely awesome!
Alcona Park - 1100 Acres of Trophy Producing Fishing Waters

That Alcona campground looks awesome...only wish the cabins had electricity.

michmoldman · 03-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackzzz01

That Alcona campground looks awesome...only wish the cabins had electricity.

Oh man its gorgeous! If you have a boat you can go south and west up the river and see the huge sand hills, and the beautiful scenery. We were not gonna go there this year for some crazy reason, but we cant pass it up.
You have a fire and batteries right? who needs electricity?? lol!

blackzzz01 · 03-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michmoldman

Oh man its gorgeous! If you have a boat you can go south and west up the river and see the huge sand hills, and the beautiful scenery. We were not gonna go there this year for some crazy reason, but we cant pass it up.
You have a fire and batteries right? who needs electricity?? lol!

That's true...I should be made of sterner stuff right? Think I'll take a look at my work schedule tonight and I just might give it a shot. My ex has a place in the area (McKinley) so I think I'll live dangerously!

Crustedfilth · 03-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michmoldman

Oh man its gorgeous! If you have a boat you can go south and west up the river and see the huge sand hills, and the beautiful scenery. We were not gonna go there this year for some crazy reason, but we cant pass it up.
You have a fire and batteries right? who needs electricity?? lol!

right! Its not campin if you have a TV and your Wii with you.

I have a place in Antrim county on a stream, with lots of lakes in the area. Remote enough to get out of control drunk and not worry about anyone complaining.

blackzzz01 · 03-03-2009, 02:19 PM

Not at all interested in a TV or a Wii (whatever that is) or anything else like that...just would like one convenience such as 'light'. I'll just bring some battery operated power..no big deal. Not real interested in getting out of control drunk either but I won't pass up a cold one.

bluebird39 · 03-04-2009, 06:57 AM

Hi there,

It all depends on how rustic you want. State parks are quite expensive (IMO), plus you typically need reservations, which can be hard to get during the peak of summer.

I'd try the National Forests or State Forest campgrounds. Most of these have only pit toilets, and some may have electricity, but many don't.

It also depends on how "away" you want to get. The smaller campgrounds will give you less people.

I'd look in the NE corner of the LP if you want fewer people, West side if you want to be closer to traditional tourist attractions.

Crustedfilth · 03-04-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebird39

Hi there,

It all depends on how rustic you want. State parks are quite expensive (IMO), plus you typically need reservations, which can be hard to get during the peak of summer.

I'd try the National Forests or State Forest campgrounds. Most of these have only pit toilets, and some may have electricity, but many don't.

It also depends on how "away" you want to get. The smaller campgrounds will give you less people.

I'd look in the NE corner of the LP if you want fewer people, West side if you want to be closer to traditional tourist attractions.

not too mention the place is wall to wall citidiots wtih big ass RV's which they cannot back up to save their life.