Cruiser Camping in Michigan?

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zayd

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Been a member for a while, but finally started posting again now that I'm back into a Cruiser.

I've always been an outdoors type, doing lots of hiking, camping, fishing, and biking. But now that I've got a little family going, can any Michiganders recommend good camping destinations in Michigan? I'm in the metro Detroit area and would prefer LP, but wouldn't mind a great UP spot as long as it's not too far from the bridge. I've got two little ones, so I'm not looking for hardcore wheeling, just remote sites to pitch tents, maybe do a little hiking/fishing if it's around, and generally just expose the kiddos to nature and everything it has to offer. The kids are still young, so I want to be able to drive right up to a good spot instead of hiking to the campsite... also want the convenience of having all of our gear handy.

My wife is easy-going and open to camping, but she's never done it before. So I'd love to wow her with great spots and nice views. These will be weekend trips and I'd prefer to be far from any other campers, so community campsites/RV spots are out.

Thanks for the ideas...

Zayd
 
Hi Zayd,
This trip report is a little further away, to the Keewenaw, but well worth it.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-te...epmts-return-home-swimming-lake-superior.html

Near there, but to the south of L'Anse is another area that we've enjoyed.

There is also a pretty good area that is south of Munising and the Painted Rocks National Park (currently closed:frown: but maybe open by the time of your trip?) where we've camped before.

Very helpful in general for planning such trips and enjoying the back roads is the DeLorme Atlas for Michigan. Unless your GPS has a topographic map file of the specific area you're in, it won't be nearly as helpful as the DeLorme Atlas, which shows lots of land and water features, as well as RRs, etc. Cost is around $20.

I'd be happy to answer specific questions to the best of my ability. I've not camped in the LP, so can't help with that.
 
Awesome information, thanks Mike. I'm still relatively new to Michigan and have yet to discover the UP. Pictured Rocks looks beautiful. Is camping allowed basically anywhere you can get the Cruiser or is it restricted to particular campgrounds? I'd check their website, but the shutdown even has government websites down!
 
Hi Zayd,
Camping in the National Lakeshores, Parks, etc is usually restricted to designated camp sites, unless there are backcountry, hike-in camping available, as there is in many of the Western US parks.

What we did when we visited PRNL was camp in Hiawatha National Forest, which is just south of Munising and Pictured Rocks NL (sorry, got the name of the Nat'l Lakeshore wrong yesterday.) Regulations vary between nat'l forests and between them and state forests, so always good to check on the latest conditions and regualtions by calling the local HQs. For instance, in dry conditions there are often restrictions on the use of fire, so sometimes you'll need to pack the camp stove and not count on roasting marshmallows, as sad as that can be for the kids.

BTW, not sure about the timing of your trip, but while the nati'l forests may be officially shut down, I would think you can go ahead and camp in them, although I'm not sure how or who you'd check with to confirm that.

Generally and in accordance with local regs, you can just pick a campsite along the forest road or trail. Typically, you're allowed to drive up to a certain number of feet off of it to your campsite, say 250 feet (it varies) as long as you're not busting brush, etc.

Obviously, you'll have no services and are usually required to pack everything out, not bury it. This sometimes requires use (or at least possession of) a portable toilet. There are typically sites, often near the forest office or HQ, that have place to dump you trash, get water, and get info even if the offices are closed.

Some nat'l forests do have campsites with some amenities like tables, firepits and bathrooms, but these usually require a nightly fee. Just camping in the forest is typically free.

Hope this works out for you. The UP is well worth the drive. And if you go all that way, a visit to the Soo locks is great, also. You can watch as the ships move through the locks just feet away from visitors. Let me know if any more Qs.
 
Zayd,
Well, bad news, good news heard this morning on NPR. While the National Parks are closed, i.e. Pictured Rocks National Seashore, apparently most of the National Forest lands remain open. So camping out will work in the National Forest, but a visit into the National Lakeshore itself is out until the politicians get their act together.
 
timbercruiser,
Thanks for the reminder. I did correspond with MI DNR on state lands and camping, just forgot all about it since we ended up on fed land when we did camp (other than that parking lot at Pt. Abbaye :p).

I also missed on the link to upoverland, as that's an excellent site to explore the exploration possibilities of the UP. Highly recommended, good folks there.
 
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