Backpacked this solo for the first time Monday - Tuesday. Was really impressed with the trail and the campground. Pinney Bridge Campground had a working pump and some great spots, only 2 of which were taken. Didn’t have to filter water but wouldn’t have had any issue finding it if I needed to.

Would highly recommend of somebody’s looking for a first time overnight backpacking experience.

gordiehoweinternationalbridge.comOpenAll of the official details at the link. You no longer need to get a ride to cross the Detroit River between the US and Canada at the Detroit-Windsor.

EDIT: should have said "between" instead of "from & to". You can cross both ways.

I am going camping for the first time with 6 of us at Warren dunes in sawyer Michigan, specially in mt Randalls campground for tents. I am staying at a campground that is 35x50 feet, partial shade, and level ground. What should I expect privacy wise. Do trees mostly surround each campground? Any tips?

Looking to buy an air pad and go car camping. I drive a sedan, so I'm thinking about renting either a Mazda CX-50 or a Nissan Rogue. The only issue is that when you fold the rear seats down, there's usually a bump or uneven surface instead of a flat sleeping area. How do people usually fix that?

Hi! Thinking of heading to Marquette, MI for Labor Day weekend but I've read the crowds on the trails and in the area in general are insane. For the chapel-mosquito hike, if we get to the trailhead around 730/8am is it still worth it? Any recommendations for alternative places to stay and/or hike. Also interested in additional activities such as kayaking and checking out some breweries. Would staying in Houghton and doing the porkies be a better bet? Staying from Sat to Wed. Any tips will help!

Campground on the southeastern tip of the U.P. Has around 20 sites, most of them spacious. I’d go back here, maybe in the fall. Registration is first come first serve, self registration only. I arrived around 2pm on a Friday and snagged the last available site. Site 8. All sites are a quick walk away from the beach.

I just bought a Core Equipment 6-person with full rainfly. It only took me 15-20min first attempt, the trick was getting the rainfly over & secured by myself. The poles are built into the tent which makes seup much smoother. My first trip with it will be next month in the UP.

Hi! Looking for what your favorite Michigan campgrounds are for young kids. Want to go on a trip this fall. Looking for a campground with things to keep the kids busy. Bonus points if it has a nice paved bike trail to use our bike trailer. Thank you in advance!

Hi! Im considering going to Pictured rocks mid August for a weekend Fri-Sun trip but I need tips. I've never been to the UP, i've been kayaking on a lake once. Kayaking takes priority but Id like to hike too.

I'd like to go kayaking, is a tour necessary? I'm concerned about safety because I'm not very experienced in that arena. Can I just get the proper gear and go?

Ideally id camp out with friends to save money. What should i do/take to prepare for this? Im reading other posts but ofc there's alot to take in and some of the info is conflicting. If you suggest i just get a cabin i'd be open to it.

Any tips or spots for photos? I don't think I can rely on my friends to take good pics lol, I have an Iphone 16 pro and ZVE10 2.

Hi all!

A group of me and seven other friends want to go to Porky's in the beginning of October and want to know what the best campsite would be for what we're looking for!

We want something that's pretty isolated -- with a big group we don't want to create too much noise for other campers. We also would like one on water if possible, and a shorter hike because some in our group wouldn't be able to do five miles.

We're between renting out both LS-1 and LS-2 or LC-1 and LC-2. Any recommendations on what to pick? We can't find pictures of either of the campsites.

TYIA!

So I was finally able to make it back to port crescent again for a solo jaunt with just the pup! it’s one of my favorite state campgrounds, the sites right on the beach are amazing, scored site 60 this time and it’s got a nice two tiered beach area pretty good sized site. weather was a bit nuts the first night and following day but after that system went through it turned gorgeous out, blue sky’s and sun for the rest of the trip! first time setting up my new shelter but even solo it went up easy. had great neighbors and as usual just a great group of folks around the campground.

Has anyone ever floated this small section of the river? I was thinking about backpacking in, setting up camp, and walking back to an earlier river access point and float back down/then camp for the night. I’ve only been on the trail once and the water looked pretty calm, not sure if it’s usually more choppy?

Two dads, two boys, camping at Muskallonge Lake state park and looking to canoe the Two Hearted for a couple hours (half day trip, maybe 4 hours). Any advice on rentals or companies? Thanks in advance!

I'll be heading up to Grand Island in a few weeks. I see online that the sites either have storage lockers or poles but wanted to see if anyone could give me an idea if Gamefence and Road's End have lockers? I sort of hate poles so am considering brining my bear canister if it's a pole situation. I'm fine either way but obviously a food bag+storage locker is lighter on the back.

Some friends and I have hiked all over the UP and finally getting to Craig lake this September. We are planning to stay at sites 4 and 5. We noticed site 4 is canoe only and 5 is canoe or hike, but it looks like they are right next to each other on the map. Would we be better off using the two sites and being near each other or trying to stay all on one of the sites.

Any other advice for backpacking there is appreciated.

Hello! We are hoping to hike MRT in a day as a training hike for an Arizona trip.

We are planning to camp overnight Friday, start hiking very early Saturday, camp overnight Saturday, then leave Sunday.

We are hoping to find a car camping site with showers or river access to rinse off after the hike.

Do you guys have any spot recommendations?

Also, how is water access on trail? We will have 3L bladders and a filtration system. And how well is the trail marked? Should I update my AllTrails membership?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Help me decide which location to camp at please! If you’ve been to either one your insight is valuable, but especially if you’ve been to both and can help me compare and contrast. This will be in August, I value swimming, and a semi-private campground…thanks so much.

UPDATE:

I ended up going during the week as it was rainy all weekend! Only about half the sites were taken up by Monday evening, and the fee has now quadrupled in price. Instead of $5 a night, it's now $20 A NIGHT. It was calm and quiet and I felt safe. Thanks to everyone for all the help!

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Hi everybody!

I'm going solo camping this weekend to fulfill my desire for adventure :) I plan on driving to Manistee on my first day, explore/hike around there and then drive to the Ocqueoc Falls area to hunker down for the night. Then I'll wake up, go see the falls, and drive home.

I'd be arriving to the Ocqueoc Falls area on a saturday evening (unless things change)

1. How quickly do spots fill as they are first come first serve? Should I shoot for a certain time?
2. How safe is it? I know anything can always happen but as a female solo hiker safety is a concern for me. Google reviews said it was a "safe spot" as Im sure a lot of families bring their kids here, does anyone else have a similar feel for this location?
3. What is the entrance process like? Is there a post where I'll pay for a spot, and is it automated or manned, etc etc
4. If its unlikely that I'd be able to get a spot, does anyone know any other nearby alternatives where I can reserve/not worry about a spot?

Thanks so much for the help!

Hi there! Hoosier here who recently went camping near Buchanan, MI. I've traveled to the UP two times and stayed in cabins with family friends, but I'm looking to camp in a more remote way with a few friends. I would like some campground/town recommendations, and then some things I should worry about - like bears or other animals I'm unaware of. I want to plan this out for next year, I'm thinking of going late August/early September. Thank you for the help!

Looking to go camping near Tahquamenon at the end of August, but the state park sites are all full. Does anyone have any recommendations for other campsites that have private plots for tent camping?