There's plenty to do near Hoffmaster. If you get tired of the beautiful sandy beach, incredible overlooks, and world-class sunsets, Michigan's Adventure amusement/water park is very close by. Take a tour of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes at Mac Woods Dune Rides, or if you're really adventurous, rent a jeep at Parrot's Landing and drive them yourself. Or head south down to Grand Haven or Holland. Grand Rapids has Meijer Gardens and the John Ball Zoo. Or take a day trip down to Kalamazoo and check out the Air Zoo.
There's SO much to do and enjoy anywhere along the West Coast of Michigan and including the Straits area too that you could come back for 2 weeks every year for your entire lifetime and still not have done or seen it all. No matter which area you choose it'll be a pleasant surprise for you and your's. That's why so many millions of people and RV'ers come to the region every year. Holland, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, etc area is great and so full of attractions and Hoffmaster SP with it's 2 1/2 miles of beach and large sandunes etc is an excellent 1043 acre large State Park to stay in and venture out of. So is the Petoskey/Indian River/Straits area a great place to go. Then there's the "one of a kind" gorgeous and huge Sleeping Bear National Park Lakeshore area along with the Traverse City area that's very special. That's why it's a National Park! Add in the Silver Lake/Ludington area too for fun, fun, fun. The entire coast is very RV/camping and tourist friendly for all ages which is so helpful. The costs incurred are far less than many others areas of the country and the beauty and attractions are outstanding plus. Most activities are free to the public on the West Coast other than "for profit" private businesses. Again, that's why so many millions come back year after year after year. Especially the family groups.
No matter where you go along the West Coast of Michigan there are beaches galore, lakes, rivers, streams, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing etc, campgrounds, and so many attractions for visitors of ALL ages and desires. OR you can just do nothing at all and merely relax at your campsite that's nestled in the wooded valleys of the sand dunes with true nature's beauty 360 degrees around you. It's like a 300 mile long resort area and you are right in the middle. All the coast areas are safe for the kids to hike, most even if by themselves. Fun and a real learning experience exploring on the vast miles of marked trails, displays, and nature centers. There are also thousands of miles of pedal bike paths and trails connecting many different areas along the state's west side lakeshore communities and attractions.
Your problem is deciding where to go to for your first trip and it surely won't be your last!
2004 Chev 2500HD D/A crew cab LB 4X4, Air Bags & upgraded to 3500HD
Lance 990 Legend Camper 11' 4" with my 2' X 7' rear porch with box
29 ft Carri-lite 5th wheel - specially built
36 ft Carriage 5'er (took a tree falling)
Lance 915 Camper (just sold)
Thanks Travelnutz! I agree that this will not be our only trip to MI! I'm really trying to do my homework and figure out the "perfect" place to go...we want to go north and experience a change of weather from hot/humid Cincy...I don't think Muskegon will give us that true up north MI feeling. I think we are going to cancel our Hoffmaster res (fully booked CG and our site has a water spigot for community use) and book a full h/u (we have a 5'er) site in Indian River or Petosky area. We REALLY want to see Mackinac (a few years ago we camped at Marblehead SP in Ohio and went to Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie and kids loved the ferry ride/exploring the island...of course, we used golf carts to get around the island and I know Mackinac does not allow motorized transport) and we want a peaceful, full of nature surrounding. The Indian River RV Resort and Campground looks very nice...wooded, private and maintained...not much info on the sites at the Indian River Jellystone in that area though. The KOA in Petosky has high ratings but looks like most sites are in full sun. We are not sun/sand/surf kind of campers...the sand dunes would only give us a day of enjoyment and we would be over it. The Jellystone in Silver Lake gives me an impression of a Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN feeling...go karts, mini putt-putt and noise right next door. We love nature, hiking and new experiences but also like the conveniences of full h/u and a full service CG. We want to go tubing or canoeing, possibly renting a pontoon boat, etc. I will need to review Burt Lake SP, Mackinaw City, Wilderness SP, St Ignace, etc. to figure out what we would absolutely have to see/experience during our week. Also have to have wi-fi, so that limits our selections. I cannot seem to find any reviews of the Indian River CGs or Petosky KOA on this site. I went to RVparkreviews.com and most posts are old. Let me know if there str any other sites that offer more info...I've been searching the net and cannot seem to find anything legit. Oh, I did check out Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga on Pickerel Lake...pretty neat county park CG. Thanks for your input...I really appreciate it!!
Hope you got a heater if you're camping this week. Next two days up north highs barely 60 and lows in the 40s. In July! It'll be back up near 80 though by the weekend.
On Mackinac Island I think the best thing to do is take the horse carriage tour of the island. It's a couple hours and takes you thru the middle of the island and up to the fort. Very nice tour.
Any of the CG's you mentioned around the Straits general area are very good and are quite shaded. The area is wonderful for all. Any CG may have some sites that have a lot of sun so you can only go by generalizations. Hoffmaster and the West Michigan is also heavily forested and well shaded and you do NOT camp in the sand at Hoffmaster. Paved roads in a forest on fertile ground nestled between the sandunes with a creek running right thru it.
As for the weather/humidity/heat in the West Michigan area? I can assure that anywhere along the coast of Lake Michigan is vastly different than what it feels like in Cincinnati. Been to Cincinnati many times in the summer and we know of the sickening heat and humidity that overwhelms you and makes sure you hide in A/C. We have air conditioning in our home here by the lake but it hasn't been turned on in half a dozen years or more. Not needed as there's always a cooling breeze coming off the lake all summer long. It's just like A/C. The humidity is much lower than inland and so much lower than your Cincinnati area and that's why millions flock to the lakeshore every year after year.
Just a note of info for you! Our average temp here is 80 daytime and 60 nightime all summer long. Lots of sunshine near the lake because the clouds form over land which means they form as the air goes inland. Our winds are almost always from the westerly direction which means coming off the lake. Lake Michigan is a huge heat sink 100 milew wide and 340 miles long and is 923 feet deep. It takes all summer to heat up and all winter to cool off. The result is warm falls and winters until in Feb. and cooler springs and summers. Very different than just 30 miles inland where the highs and lows are much more extreme.
We're going to Indian River RV resort and CG July 1-7... I'll let you know how it is when we get back. I was told they have a pool, sites are nice, but the playground stinks. It sounds like you're looking for a place to entertain you though so I would suggest the Yogi CG you were talking about... they seem to keep the kids occupied.
We are camping at Silver Lake Jellystone the week of July 23-28, we have also chosen Michigan to get away from the Cincinnati humidity as we live across the river in Lawrenceburg. We have never camped anywhere except Indiana and Kentucky so wish us luck. Maybe we we will see you there.
Hi Mister D...yes, let me know how Indian River RV resort is and the site you were in after your trip...I actually booked the same CG for later in the month and am curious. I know there is no playground but it has wi-fi...hubby cannot live without internet. I really wanted the Jellystone but he won.
Hi Indymom...this is crazy that I know you and that you will be in Indian River at the same time. We both can compare notes on the two CGs and see who had the better time! If it were not for wi-fi, then we would definitely be at the Jellystone with you! I wish I could see more pictures of sites at this Jellystone...the website does not show many pix of the CG.
We are looking forward to our Indian River trip...exploring Mackinac, rafting on the Sturgeon River, seeing Mackinaw City...seems like there will be enough to keep us busy!
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If it were not for wi-fi, then we would definitely be at the Jellystone with you! I wish I could see more pictures of sites at this Jellystone...the website does not show many pix of the CG.
