Labor Day is fast approaching and to an RVer it means different things. Maybe you’ve had such a busy summer that a vacation hasn’t happened yet and it’s time to throw a vacation Hail Mary before the kiddies overrun the fall calendar. Or you just want to enjoy a weekend of pleasant weather outdoors before it gets a little unpredictable. Or you see Labor Day as the kick-off to the fall RVing season – if you live in or have traveled the great state of Michigan, you know that the sights get better when the nights turn chilly and the leaves change colors.
Whatever your situation, it may be late in the game to book your favorite camping spot this weekend, but there is sure to be an open camp site somewhere with your name on it. Just get creative, do some research, you’ll find what you are looking for. The Weather Man I am not, but a recent Michigan weather check revealed rain for the end of the week and a weekend with sunny and mild temperatures – looks to me like it might be a nice weekend to get out and enjoy your RV.
To give you some destination ideas, I hit the maps to provide you with some quality Michigan RV campgrounds and state parks. In no particular order, here’s five destinations worth checking out:
1. Copper Harbor, Michigan: Lake Fanny Hooe Resort & Campground
Located at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, you can’t get ANY farther north in Michigan than Copper Harbor. Despite the remote location, there’s plenty to do and an incredible amount of things to see and experience. The rugged shorelines and beaches of Lake Superior, stunning Brockway Mountain vistas, remote hiking and biking trails, abundant wildlife, historic landmarks, nearby Fort Wilkins State Park, ghost towns, mine tours, lighthouse sightseeing, hunting and fishing, a quaint village and of course, the serene Lake Fanny Hooe will make this a trip you’ll remember. Lake Fanny Hooe Campground sits in a north woods forest, next door to over 250,000 acres of wilderness. Campsites have all the amenities and hookups you need for a comfortable weekend in your RV.
2. Ludington, Michigan: Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park is located on Michigan’s west coast between the shores of Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake and features three different campgrounds to choose from for a combined total of 355 campsites. A Michigan favorite, there is a lot to like about Ludington State Park for those wanting a true Michigan experience: stunning Lake Michigan shoreline vistas and sunsets, miles of shoreline beaches, scenic sand dunes, protected ponds, marshlands and forests, boating, hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, canoeing and much more. The campgrounds are RV friendly, feature electricity, modern bathroom and showing facilities.
3. Traverse City, Michigan: Timber Ridge Resort
A popular campground with easy access to one of Michigan’s most popular vacation destinations, Timber Ridge Resort offers something for everyone. For the outdoor enthusiast, there are miles upon miles of maintained wooded trails that connect to the campground for biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Just a short drive from the campground, you will enjoy East and West Grand Traverse Bay which offer clean beaches, great fishing, boating and other water sports. Also nearby are a host of challenging golf courses, a vibrant downtown with terrific shopping, dining and entertainment options and many nearby vineyards, wineries, orchards and farm markets. Timber Ridge can easily accommodate any RV from a pop-up tent trailer to full-size motorhomes and 5th wheels in their spacious and wooded sites complete with all necessary hookups. If you choose to stay on-site your family will enjoy the heated pool, clean bath houses, various sports activities, climbing wall, wagon rides, seasonal activities, peaceful solitude and much, much more.
4. Bay City, Michigan: Bay City Recreation Area
An Eastern Michigan favorite, Bay City Recreation Area is situated within Saginaw Bay and features a mile of Lake Huron shoreline and access to the Tobico Marsh, one of the largest remaining freshwater coastal wetlands in the Great Lakes. Due to its location and surroundings, the Bay City Recreation Area is a convenient place to camp and enjoy nature. Since it is a staging area for migratory birds, nature watching is a popular activity thanks to a network of trails complete with boardwalks, observation platforms and interpretive programs that let you experience and learn about the surrounding marsh and its inhabitants. Swimming, boating, fishing, hunting and more are also popular activities as the campground practically sits within throwing distance from Saginaw Bay.
5. Onsted, Michigan: W. J. Hayes State Park
One of Michigan’s oldest state parks, 654 acre Hayes State Park was dedicated in 1920 under the name Cedar Hill State Park. Because of its proximity to Michigan International Speedway, access to Wamplers Lake and a plethora of nearby inland lakes suitable for boating and fishing, as well as a vibrant crafts and antiques scene have made the area a popular tourist destination and this campground a Southern Michigan staple for many years. You’ll find a peaceful campground in a wooded setting with nearby boat launches, swimming areas, fishing pier, picnic areas and scenic views that make this an enjoyable destination for a quick Southern Michigan weekend getaway.
While there are many more places that are sure to be great destinations, this list is just a sample of some quality campgrounds you’ll find throughout Michigan. What are some of your favorite Michigan campgrounds? Share your favorites below, we’d enjoy hearing from you! So if you are wrapping up the summer camping season, or kicking off the fall season, the staff at Lakeshore RV Center wants you to do it right and go RV camping in Michigan!