[orulz]

My brother lives in the Ann Arbor area and he is getting married this summer. I'm the best man, so I'm "in charge" of the bachelor party. Neither he nor I are into the bar / strip club / etc scene and he enjoys the outdoors so I thought we could go camping with some of the guys.

So my question is, what are your recommendations for good campgrounds within a ~ 3 hour drive of Ann Arbor? I'd like to find something with hiking nearby.

I understand the state parks in MI tend to book up well in advance but it seems there's a pretty good online reservation system (better than here in NC). How's the weather in early June? Is it pretty temperate everywhere? Really cold at night? Or will I have to be right on the lake to avoid getting too hot?

[Bydand]

My personal favorite is Ludington State park which has all kinds of hiking trails through it. Plus it borders the Nordhouse Dunes which is national reserve land and all hiking as well. It is about 3 1/2 hours from Ann Arbor, right on Lake Michigan. June here is usually very nice. It will seem a bit cool to you coming from NC, but the days are nice and the nights are cool and comfortable.

[skahar]

Well the weather in June can be hard to predict, it should be warm but the way this year is going I'm thinking it might be kinda cool in June. As for campgrounds we like Old Orchard in Oscoda. It is right on the Ausable river and is great if you have a boat or wave runners that you could take. The lots are also very big so it doesn't feel like you are right on top of your neighbors.

[suydam]

June camping is a crap-shoot... have a backup plan just in case.
I've camped when it was under 35 degrees at night (Manistee National Forest) and I've camped when it didn't get under 70 at night.

For the most part, it should be warm enough for camping.

If you want to drink, you'll need to avoid most state parks... many of them don't allow beer and there are so many places that do there's no reason to break the rules.

I'll second Ludington State Park as a great spot. Check into PJ Hoffmaster too, that's my other favorite.

[michmoldman]

I second anything on the west side. Here are a few of our favorites. A few may be a bit longer than 3 hrs, but well worth the drive.
Alcona Park - 1100 Acres of Trophy Producing Fishing Waters

White River RV Park & Campground - Montague, MI

Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area

[orulz]

Originally Posted by suydam

If you want to drink, you'll need to avoid most state parks... many of them don't allow beer and there are so many places that do there's no reason to break the rules.

If all the nice places with hiking nearby and good facilities are state parks then we'll gladly forgo the beer, but barring that we probably would bring up a few six packs.

Just for interests sake, do you have any suggestions for places that do allow beer?

[JGatti]

There is a little known place in Waters. Right between Grayling and Gaylord, called Headwaters Resort. I've never been to the others mentioned but I can tell you what I like about this one. For one they have some cabins if that's what you would prefer over tents. They have one big one for bigger parties and 4 or 5 smaller ones, all with little stoves, own shower and restroom. They are located right on a very nice lake, with a beach and a boat launch plus you can fish from shore within walking distance from the campground. We were up there in early June before and pulling some good size bass right from the shore. At the boat launch they also have docks to store your waverunner or boat. There are places to rent em in town also that will bring em and drop em right in the water for you. Camping here you are also close to just about anything you want to do. You can drive 20 minutes and canoe right out of Grayling on the Au sable or drive about an hour to MIO ( much nicer part of the river) and there are some places a little further north off 75. Gaylord also has Big Buck Brewery, you can shoot there for some steaks, and micro beer. There are also a few other places worth going to for eats and drinks. I like this area because your not too far in the boonies if you get bored, but at the same time your not so close that it seem's like you still back home. Best of luck. Oh another reason I mention this area is we had two bachelor parties there. Mine and a buddies, same situation. Have fun and be safe.

[kimba01]

What kind of hiking are you looking for? Trails or trails with climbing...? Most state parks have trails that you can hike and I have camped in many, many state parks as it is the only ones my dad would go to. Even as an adult, I have gone back to many of them, I have NEVER been asked to get rid of the alcohol as long as it is under control. Put it in cups. I have been at st. pks where we actually had to ask the groups around us if they could control their language as they were partying pretty good and the next morning their site looked like a Bud truck blew up on it. So...that said there are many private campgrounds that are great too!

Have fun!

[bsemion]

Where would you like to go? Are you looking for rustic or concrete pad, all hooked up to the sewer line-type place? i can direct you.
Bill

If you're/he's into fly fishing, try Gates Au Sable Lodge for indoors. If you want outdoors, contact me.

Early June can be great, in the 70s and 80s in daytime, and depending where you are and depending how early you're talking, 40s-60s at nite

[orulz]

I can be flexible but I'm looking for something a bit on the rustic side. Running water and bathrooms are OK but not necessary. We can do completely without water/sewer/electricity. This will be tent camping - we don't have RVs / Campers. Actually my favorite place to camp in NC are the kind where you won't find RVs at all. The kind where you park your car in a parking lot and then walk in to the campsites, rather than the kind where you drive right up to the sites. Having all these RVs and drive-up sites feels less like camping to me, with people playing their stereos until all hours etc. Although I would definitely not decline a place on the grounds that it has drive-up campsites.

Don't really care much as far as where to go is concerned, as long as it's no more than a 3-4 hour drive from Ann Arbor. I'll only be up there for a weekend and I want to spend the time camping, not driving.

Ludington seems to be a common recommendation - even my dad who went to college in Chicago recommended it. Maybe I'll look into that. Any other suggestions for privately owned, but rustic, places?