Michigan Dry camping locations

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StephenM

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Morning all,

Has anyone any recommendations for dry camping locations in Michigan.  If you do not want to post them here maybe you could message me with them, I will not share then online.

I do know 3 locations (2 National forest campgrounds).

I am looking for locations that are near hiking trails or water access for kayaking.  I will be driving a 34ft class A and will not have a toad.

Thanks very much,

Stephen
 
Hi Corky,

Anywhere in the state with access to kayaking or hiking (or both).
 
Try Gaylord area, Pigeon River state forest. Michigans only Elk herd with hundreds of miles of trails. Check with the Michigan DNR for maps and details. Also several areas nearby for water activities
 
Hi You might want to contact Len and Jo on this forum. They live in Michigan and I think they know a number of spots for this type of camping. Here is the link to their information.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?action=profile;u=403
 
Porcupine Mountains area with the Lake of the Clouds.

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=426

And the Presque Isle River

http://www.superiortrails.com/porcupine-waterfalls.html

This is my most favorite area for camping.

Corky

 
Have not tried the Gaylord area but definitely well.

I have been to the UP twice tent camping in April and loved. In fact I have a week long trip planned for early May in our rig.

There us place about 80 miles away near Gladwin that we dry camped at, but there was a Dog field trials meet on and the dogs were noisey.

I am looking to get out to test the 200w portable solar kit I got :)

Edit: we only got our rig in July and have about 20 nights in it so far, but hoping to do 45-50 nights next year


 
Hi Stephen,

I'll second the suggestion of the Porcupine Mountains as I have camped a few times there. Be aware there are black bear in the area.
 
Hi Al,

We definitely plan to get to the Porkies at some stage, it's a 470 mile drive for me, we could go their and visit Pictured Rocks on the way back

Hi Corky,

Port Austin is only an 80 mile drive for me, must definitely check it out.
 
Rifle River State Recreation Area:  https://youtu.be/vncIwzA9NpY

If you want to kayak the shore of Lake Michigan.  Try Lake Michigan Recreation Area just north of Ludington.  You must come in from the east.  Can't get there from Ludington.

Eastern side of the Lower Peninsula explore the Mio area.

UP ...  Look around Blind Sucker flooding ~10 miles east of Grand Marais.  Blind Sucker Campground #1 and #2.  Out of the way, quite place.  PLEASE keep it that way.

Not Michigan but Killarney Prov. Park on the north side of the Georgian Bay is FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC.  Did I say fantastic.  https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/killarney 
 
Thanks very much Len and Jo.

I must get out to Ontario in the rv.
 
Afternoon Len and Jo

I've been to Kilarney Provincial Park a few times, but was on Larger boat so havent driven in the park.

Can the park accomodate larger rigs, it's been my experience that the turns are generally very tight and vertical clearance can be a BIG problem.  I'd love to take the MH there.

One Provincial park we were at that can accomodate MH is Neys Provincial Park near Thunder Bay.
They have one area for our type of rig and it is magnificent. We looked out our front window over Lake Superior. My better half even watched me get wet in Superior.

Bob
 
We camped there in class B's.  Not sure about big rigs.  Best to call.  In the village of Killarney (few miles south of park enterance on Georgian Bay) there is also lodging and some RV camping for bigger rigs.  Remember this is a beautiful RUGGED  area of the world. The first time we went there 20+ years ago the road down to the park from Sudbury had just opened the year before.  Indeed they were still blasting rock to straighten the road out.  Until then the are was only accessible by boat via the fishing village.  I am sure the area has "improved" since then.  There are many lakes in the park, each is unique, and they are typically joined together by portages.  Great for canoes and kayaks.
 

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StephenM said:
Thanks very much Len and Jo.

I must get out to Ontario in the rv.

Forgot to mention Sylvania Wilderness and Sylvania Recreation Area in western U.P. just a stone throw north of the Wisconsin border.  Lots of lakes with short portages between them. 
 

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Len and Jo said:
If you want to kayak the shore of Lake Michigan.  Try Lake Michigan Recreation Area just north of Ludington.  You must come in from the east.  Can't get there from Ludington.

I came here to suggest this. I took my family to stay in Manistee National Forest, Lake Michigan Recreation Area the first week of August. We LOVED it. We have a pop-up, albeit a large one, so I can't comment on trying to wiggle a Class A in there. It's heavily wooded and an easy bike ride to the lake. It's also relatively close to nice grocery stores. There is a well-stocked convenience store about 10 minutes away. Two of the loops have flush toilets (if that matters). I don't recall any dump stations there, however. The camp hosts were terrific and they sell ice and kiln-dried firewood at the camper host site. We already plan to go back, though hopefully with a TT instead of a pup  :)
 
Great recommendation.

I often backpack the Manistee river trail and love it.

 
First and third loops are reserve-able (R).  The 1st loops sites are most all on the small side but the other three loops most are very large.  Have seen several class A's in there.  There is no dump station and sites do not have water or electricity.  Ron and Bertha (if I remember right) are the hosts for half the loops and all restrooms are extremely clean.  The most beautiful lake access is the far one by the day use parking.  All sites are very wooded, see pics.
 

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Unless you have already discovered these sites, as a Michigander, may I suggest visiting these links to maybe help you in planning your MI travels...

http://www.wmta.org/
http://www.uptravel.com/
http://mynorth.com/northern-michigan-vacation/northern-michigan-attractions/

I've been all over this state. Too many places to suggest to mention here. We own property surrounded by Manistee National Forest. Love it. The northern shoreline of the UP is beautiful. All the way up to Copper Harbor. All along the western shoreline of the lower peninsula there are many places to camp. The above links may help to accommodate you.
Have fun! 
 

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