Which campground

[Oct.1]

What Michigan campground do you like best?
Over the years my wife and I have covered nearly all the State Park campgrounds in Michigan.
We plan on starting some of the private ones this year. So far I really like Ludington, Silver Lake, Yankee Springs, Higgans Lake and Harrisville. I think my best is Mitchell Lake State Park in Cadillac. You can walk into town, they have docking for your boat by some of the campsites and a moderate mooring area, a wild life museum close by and my wife's favorite a put - put golf coarse.

[The Paper]

When I go camping, I rough it. I always go rustic. I am lucky that I married a beautiful woman whose parents always camped rustic. So my wife enjoys going rustic. My kids are still kids, not teenagers; so they enjoy going rustic. For the most part, when I go camping, I always stay at a Michigan State Forest Campground or a National Forest Campground. My goal, some day, is to stay at or spend some time at every State Forest Campground in Michigan. Though I have been to a few in which I will not return, most have been very enjoyable. My favorite Campground that I have been to is Pretty Lake State Forest Campground in Upper Luce County.

Usually for a campground to hit my favorite list, it must provide good fishing. Though the fishing can be good in the spring, Pretty Lake is not the best fishing site, but it still hits the number 1 spot on my favorites list because of the solitude and peacefulness I feel when I am there. Ask anyone who has been up there; it is beautiful and peaceful. There are tons of small lakes in the area to fish and a lot of things to see. The campground has trails that connect 7 different lakes, and for a trout fisherman or a canoeist, it is a paradise.

You must like seclusion. You are 40 miles from the nearest town and many times my group that I was with is the only people in the campground. The sites are large and secluded. In most sites, you are unable to see your neighbor. I will definitely be there for the trout opener, and hopefully for one summer trip.

[rookie1]

I like P.F. Hoeft wich is north of Alpena. The facilities are decent but I really enjoy the nice beach along Lake Huron.

[Shoeman]

I really enjoy Henning in Newaygo.
It's on the banks of the Muskegon and close to town. They keep it very clean, the sites are huge and there's grass. Only one draw back, No sewer. This year, I may invest in a "Turd Turtle."

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Camped at Mullet lake the last two summers. Really love the lake. Clean and clear with real nice sand bottom. Nice lake for tube pulling or skiing especially around the campgrounds or the north end of the lake.

[Oct.1]

Paper,
I understand the State Forest Camping and love the nowhere, nobody idea. For a few years I would take the Pick-up camper and find a fire trail.
The first time my wife camped this way she couldn't sleep. She said it was too quite.
Over the years we have understood each other to the point that if she wanted to see me she had to learn to hunt and fish. I also have learned if I want to spend time with her I had to find a campsite with modern facilities.
So we conceded to each other. Summer camping at a modern campground, and Deer season out in the middle of no where. Yep I now own a 10 X 14 tent, a 8 foot pick-up camper, and a 28 foot travel trailer. I can go anyplace, anywhere, unless the wife tags along.

[stelmon]

Oct 1,
I don't really know if this is a state campground or not, but you might want to try out the porcky pine national park. I was there for a week and loved it. it is right on lake michigan and has some awsome rock formation on the shores. THis is in the UP. If I had one place to go back to, that would be it. I don't know of any fishing around there though.

[Spinner]

The Paper, that campground sounds perfect for me. I love the peacefullness of that style of camping. I think I'll have to go there this summer thanks for the info:)

SPINNER

[Ruler]

Actually Stelmon, I believe the Porcupine Mountain State Park you refer to is on Lake Superior. I've been there quite a bit, but it was several years ago. Not much fishing to be done there from what I can remember though. I did get a really cool shot of the sunrise over the lake though. :)

[jimbos43]

Used to camp at a state forest campground just west of Alpena, and south of the airport right on the Thunder Bay river. That was during the tent days.

Now of course my favorite is Petosky S.P.,sits right on Little Traverse Bay and is great spot to contemplate life, while water watching.

[Shoeman]

Is that what you were doing while sitting on the edge of that trailer? Contemplation Rocks. :p

[jimbos43]

The trailer at the St. Joe? Nope wasn't doing any contemplating there, I was makin? sure no one stole Spanky's trailer. Can't trust us city boys you know.;)

[Oct.1]

Steelman,
Thanks for the advice. I was at Porky State Park two years ago. Beautiful place. I covered the entire coast of the U.P. that year. I was really surprised to find that at some of the more popular campsites required reservations. If you get a chance to take the northern route, around Superior, threw Canada, take it. We started in Sarnia. Very nice trip.