OT: Lake Michigan

[momz]

We are new tent campers....LOVE IT!!! anyway, we are located in the Indianapolis area and don't have a lot of vacation time, so are looking for campgrounds a little closer to home than FW. I would love a beach vacation, but the closest coastline is Lake Michigan. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Are there campgrounds on the lake? Is it an appropriate destination for little kids (6, and 3)?

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Young kids love the Jellystone Parks. There's one at Silver Lake:
http://www.silverlakejellystone.com/

We've never stayed at that one but all the Jellystone Parks we have been to are very, very, kid-friendly. They tend to have activities geared toward the little ones.

 

[VAN]

We always stay at Van Buren State Park near South Haven, MI. You can reserve these online; however, weekends usual book up very soon after the 6 month advance window.

The campground is within walking distance of the beach ... South Haven (10 min away) has public beaches and a marina. Lots of shops and restaurants. You are also only a 30 min drive from Saugatuck, another artsy town with a marina, shops and restaurants.

These are very fun, relaxed resort towns ... lots of folks come up from Indiana and Illinois - especially Chicago.

During the season, there is a Blueberry festival and you can pick berries in the fields too.

 

[tellnotails]

Lots ta choose from along the shore line in michigan.....all depends how far north you want ta come.....


June, July, and August are prolly sold out you would have to try stand by...

 

[momz]

the weekends may be full you say? Well, the good news is we are looking at a Sunday through Wednesday stay, so maybe we can find a place. thanks for the tips.

 

[bianca]

We like the Holland State Park for it's lake view. There are actually 2 campgrounds .... 1 new and 1 older. The older campground is about 1 mile inland and is more rustic. The newer one is directly on the beach and you can hear the waves coming in all night long. The only drawback for the newer park is that it does not have a lot of amenities outside of a nice bathroom and great pavillion area. It has limited playground equipment for kids, but there is a lot to do in the surrounding area. As another poster mentioned, Silver Lake is nice. Also, the Ludington area has some of the best beaches in the state, but is a bit further north for you.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

the weekends may be full you say? Well, the good news is we are looking at a Sunday through Wednesday stay, so maybe we can find a place. thanks for the tips.

Let us know what you chose along with a report We're always looking for out-of-state places to tent camp. DS(11) has a mission. He said he wants to rough it in all 50 states.
I'm looking forward to the Alaska one!

 

[Disney Campers]

lots of campgrounds on Lake Michigan, As a kid we were taken to Grand Haven SP, Holland SP, PJ Hoffmaster, Ludington SP, also Traverse City is nice. We are looking to plan a trip up the MI in summer 2008, its been a long time since we have been up there.

 

[McRed]

Here's a thought...why not try Lake Erie. There are campgrounds near the Lake Erie Islands between Toledo and Cleveland. East Harbor State park and Kelleys Island are really close to Ceder Point amusment Park and Sandusky. Lots of stuff for the kids to do. We are going up to Kellys Island in late July to camp right on Lake Erie. From Louisville the trip is only 5 Hours and from Indy it should be a little closer.

 

[tellnotails]

i look at Lake Michigan as .................Fort Wilderness...


i look at Lake Erie as........................KOA.........

 

[momz]

I actually looked into Kelley's island on Lake Erie, but couldn't get a site for our dates. someone suggested taking the kids to Hannibal, MO. Not a lake, but caves. hmmmm, so many choices.

 

[DISHUD]

Indiana Dunes State Park. In Porter County, they just revamped the campground a year or two ago, and although I havnt been there in years I herd its very nice.
Try to find the IDNR website and I think you can find more info there.

Hope this helps

 

[LBKB]

Grand Haven MI also has a really nice Yogi bear park. When our boys were younger we would stay for a month sraight. Hubby could still drive to work during the week. Ludington also has a really nice place called Ponchos Pond I really liked this one. Really a nice clean place with planned activities.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Thanks for the info... DH just asked me tonight to inquire about nice campgrounds in the Chicagoland area and beyond.

DH is new to camping - I've been tenting it for years and can handle just about anything, but DH is a different story We usually stay at the Wilderness Lodge (hard to bring camping supplies on a plane!) but we've visited Fort Wilderness and DH wants to know if there's anything comprible around!

His concerns: CLEAN facilities, electric hookups, private sites, woods & water, and not too many hillbillies that play their music loud and party all night.

Please keep the recommendations coming! We won't be camping this year (with the baby coming) but next year we'll be breaking in the new tent!

Thanks!!!

 

[tellnotails]

and not too many hillbillies that play their music loud and party all night.

Hey......I ownly due that wen da PVMs are around........but I'm not gunna take my Dale Jr. flag down.....nope no way.....

 

[FlyingBelle]

Hey......I ownly due that wen da PVMs are around........but I'm not gunna take my Dale Jr. flag down.....nope no way.....

Oh boy... you're exactly the type DH wants to stay away from

 

[tellnotails]

heh......I aint smart.........butt I can reproduce.......

 

[VAN]

http://www.midnrreservations.com/campgrounds/

Here is the Michigan State Campground reservation link. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance of check-in date. Especially if you want a weekend, make sure you mark your calendar because they begin to book up immediately upon the window opening.

 

[cobbler]

Holland State Park and Van Buren State Park are where we camp a lot.

 

[VAN]

Hey Cobbler ... you must be from SW Michigan!

We check in to Van Buren on Thursday for a 6-night stay!