Van camping in Michigan

[Oldwolf]

I'll soon be traveling through Michigan on my way to Minnesota, entering from the Ohio border. Looks like I'll be on I75 until the peninsula where I'll take Hwy2 on to ND.
Does anyone have a camping recommendation near the MI southern border and another one somewhere on the peninsula near Hwy2?
Many thanks.

 

[INTJohn]

Are you looking for just spots to overnight while traveling or to set up a Kamp here or there for a time?

I-75 from the Ohio border north is basically nothing but “Detroit megapolis” or farmland until you get north of Saginaw. Once you hit the Huron National Forest land you can Kamp about any place you want on National Forest property.

If your not in a hurry I would suggest leaving I75 at Standish & drive US23 along the Lake Huron coast to the bridge.

Once in in the Upper Peninsula, US2 is the southern route and your blue line shows you leaving US 2 around Blaney north toward Senney to take the more northerly route on 28 & 41 . As far as camping in the UP; you can practically pull off and Kamp wherever you want as most of the UP is National or State Forest property.

(I’m in the “Beach Bums” area, sayin)
Again; I don’t know if you are taking your time or just looking for night spots while driving straight thru.

intjonny

 

[Gr8ful]

Lived in SW lower Michigan all my life but had a remote camp, more property & a farm in the western UP. I agree with John but would go north at Blaney Park (used to land at the old airstrip behind Blaney Lodge) used to be a great place to eat on the east just before Seney. I'd go west at Seney on 28 to Sidnaw & camp at the Sturgeon River Nat Campground. Only 5 or 6 spots in the bend of the Sturgeon river but awesome & have never seen anyone else there. When you leave I head west thru the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness area (my camp backed up to the property. Stop at the Bears Den overlook & Silver Mountain. You'll end up at S Laird rd, take it to Forest Hwy 16, go left to get back on 28 but I'd go straight to Rousseau & stop at the bar. https://michsnowmag.com/2022/07/08/the-legendary-rousseau-bar/
Go west when you leave & just over a mile you'll T into Wasas rd & be in front of our former farm, turn right go into Mass city then to Rockland, eat at Henry's Never Inn. Don't miss Old Victoria where the had a natural water run air compressor that ran for years after the copper mine closed https://www.exploringthenorth.com/oldvictoria/mine.html funny it's doesn't mention the Irish but before you get to Rockford there's the Irish cemetary on the left. On top of the hill is a reservoir & a huge pipe going way down hill around a corner & out of sight. It was wooden like a wine cask until a few years ago. You'll be close to Ontanogan & can head 3 directions from there but I'd suggest not missing Lakes in the clouds & the Pocupine Mtns https://www.michigan.org/property/porcupine-mountains-wilderness-state-park Feel free to PM me as there are many great places off the tourist traps.

 

[rvwandering]

We didn't stay here but stopped to check it out on our way through Michigan. Very nice but it looks like it closes on September 15. https://freecampsites.net/#!22912&query=sitedetails

 

[Oldwolf]

A lot to digest here. This would be overnight camping only at this point.
Let me think and I will get back to you.
Thanks for the information!

 

[Oldwolf]

INTJohn - Sounds like I may need to stay the first night in northern Ohio somewhere since I will be leaving from NC on the same day. Next day I can pass through the Detroit megaopolis and try to make it to the UP and find a site. US23 along Lake Huron coast sounds like a good option.

rvwandering - Thanks for the tip. I use freecampsites.net quite a bit. Most of the NF sites in the UP seem to indicate they close Oct 15.

Gr8ful - Let me investigate your suggestions. I need to locate on a map the hwys and locations you mentioned.

Brad

 

[INTJohn]

INTJohn - Sounds like I may need to stay the first night in northern Ohio somewhere since I will be leaving from NC on the same day. Next day I can pass through the Detroit megaopolis and try to make it to the UP and find a site. US23 along Lake Huron coast sounds like a good option.

rvwandering - Thanks for the tip. I use freecampsites.net quite a bit. Most of the NF sites in the UP seem to indicate they close Oct 15.

Gr8ful - Let me investigate your suggestions. I need to locate on a map the hwys and locations you mentioned.

Brad

There’s a large Horse Track/Casino south side of Columbus Ohio I use when I’m headed to & frum North Carolina (my daughter lives east of Raleigh near Greenville)
Also;
You’ll probably leave I75 & get on US 23/223 south of Toledo headed north to Ann Arbor otherwise i75 will take you into Detroit and you DONT WANT TO GO THERE! 23 connects back up to i75 by Flint.

There’s a rest area/ welcome center a few miles into the Michigan border on US 223/23 as you re headed north toward Ann Arbor. It’ll probably be packed with semi trucks, tho.

Once you’ve crossed the Mackinaw Bridge going into the Upper Peninsula there will be a welcome center immediately passed the bridge toll booths on the right. It’s pretty roomy and you can sleep there for the night.

intjohnny

 

[towboater]

Lived in SW lower Michigan all my life but had a remote camp, more property & a farm in the western UP. I agree with John but would go north at Blaney Park (used to land at the old airstrip behind Blaney Lodge) used to be a great place to eat on the east just before Seney. I'd go west at Seney on 28 to Sidnaw & camp at the Sturgeon River Nat Campground. Only 5 or 6 spots in the bend of the Sturgeon river but awesome & have never seen anyone else there. When you leave I head west thru the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness area (my camp backed up to the property. Stop at the Bears Den overlook & Silver Mountain. You'll end up at S Laird rd, take it to Forest Hwy 16, go left to get back on 28 but I'd go straight to Rousseau & stop at the bar. https://michsnowmag.com/2022/07/08/the-legendary-rousseau-bar/
Go west when you leave & just over a mile you'll T into Wasas rd & be in front of our former farm, turn right go into Mass city then to Rockland, eat at Henry's Never Inn. Don't miss Old Victoria where the had a natural water run air compressor that ran for years after the copper mine closed https://www.exploringthenorth.com/oldvictoria/mine.html funny it's doesn't mention the Irish but before you get to Rockford there's the Irish cemetary on the left. On top of the hill is a reservoir & a huge pipe going way down hill around a corner & out of sight. It was wooden like a wine cask until a few years ago. You'll be close to Ontanogan & can head 3 directions from there but I'd suggest not missing Lakes in the clouds & the Pocupine Mtns https://www.michigan.org/property/porcupine-mountains-wilderness-state-park Feel free to PM me as there are many great places off the tourist traps.

Sad sad day. The bar is long gone in Sidnaw