Campgal2 wrote: I don't think Muskegon will give us that true up north MI feeling. I think we are going to cancel our Hoffmaster res ... and book a full h/u ... site in Indian River or Petosky area.
I'm not sure what you mean by that "true up north MI feeling," but by my definition, Hoffmaster will give you far more of it that any KOA or RV Resort in Petoskey or Indian River. Note that Petoskey is a large, crowded city (with a very nice downtown district, BTW).
Campgal2 wrote: we want a peaceful, full of nature surrounding. The Indian River RV Resort and Campground looks very nice...wooded, private and maintained...
Indian River RV Resort is a nice enough place, but cancelling Hoffmaster and booking there because you want nature is about as backwards as things can get.
Campgal2 wrote: We love nature, hiking and new experiences but also like the conveniences of full h/u and a full service CG.
For the most part, those two things are at odds in MI. Full hookups usually imply neatly-lined rows of trailers, much like like a neighborhood subdivision, and often coupled with concrete everything. Maybe you'll get a few trees, but you'll have to leave the campground to enjoy any real natural beauty.
To each his own, but we get far more vacation value by actually "living" in the natural surroundings rather than commuting to them. We couldn't possibly give that up for plumbing. Besides, our trailer has holding tanks for water -- don't they all?
Campgal2 wrote: Also have to have wi-fi, so that limits our selections.
Yes, it does. You can certainly scratch off any of the state parks. I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for (nature, full-hookups, and wi-fi), but if you do, please let us know!
bimbert84,
Your post is so truthful and accurate except for the statement about WIFI.
Several Michigan State Park CG's have WIFI now. Grand Haven State Park for instance has 2 different WIFI's serving the campers and even the people laying on the beach or out on the long pier. Even in the boats on the lake. Another option is: It's also cheap and simple (approx $1 per day/$30 per mo if turned on all month) to have Internet access added to a capable cell phone which becomes your modem. Your cell phone still works as a phone when used on the internet function. Turn the service on or off as many times as you want which costs nothing to do. Min charge is for one day. Other cell phone services have similar optional services and all you have to do is ask them. If you have a cell phone signal anywhere in the USA, even while in a moving vehicle, you have the internet on your laptop! We have it on ours (Alltel and Verizon) which are both part of the same phone service company now. It works great! Unlimited Internet service at the $1 per day cost. It's reasonably fast and is so much faster than dialup. Not as fast as cable tho but gets the job done. Yes, it works in about any private CG or even in the dry camping CG's too. Wherever you have a cell phone signal.
One observance we've gained in our 45+ years of camping and RV'ing is this: Most people who live in the larger city areas with their structured slotted lives don't seem to realize what camping in true nature/natural areas really offers. It's far from the neat structured lined up rows of parking lot style CG's on postage stamp sized parcels of land usually bordered on either side by private property owners. Kind of like the world of large city area living they are accustomed to. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. When they get thirsty enough they will do it for themselves!
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)
Ok, so we just returned from Indian River RV/CG and had a great time. I wish it could have been about 20 degrees warmer during the 6 days, but whatever, we made the best of it.
* The place is extremely clean. A couple people in our group used the restrooms and showers daily and said they looked great morning, noon, and night. There are trash barrels spread throughout the CG and they're emptied at least twice daily. However, the playground is covered in a black dirt/film and so the kids' clothes were hit after just 5mins of play.
a shot of the playground overlooking the pool
* We were there over the Independence Day holiday, so the CG was bursting at the seams. Our site was way in the back (138) and felt very relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of the crowded front sections. The site was probably 40' wide and 120' deep. The kids could run crazy and we still had room to escape them(;
This was when the sites were all booked - but we didn't feel cramped
2007 Rockwood Roo 23ss
Me '77
DW '78
DD '04
DS '07
Maximus (slobbering camping buddy)
Campgal2 wrote: I don't think Muskegon will give us that true up north MI feeling. I think we are going to cancel our Hoffmaster res ... and book a full h/u ... site in Indian River or Petosky area.
I'm not sure what you mean by that "true up north MI feeling," but by my definition, Hoffmaster will give you far more of it that any KOA or RV Resort in Petoskey or Indian River. Note that Petoskey is a large, crowded city (with a very nice downtown district, BTW).
After experiencing both, my family would say Hoffmaster has the edge compared to Indian River RV/CG. For me, the "true up north feeling" doesn't come until I cross the bridge to the UP, but everyone's different.
Campgal2 wrote: we want a peaceful, full of nature surrounding. The Indian River RV Resort and Campground looks very nice...wooded, private and maintained...
Indian River RV Resort is a nice enough place, but cancelling Hoffmaster and booking there because you want nature is about as backwards as things can get.
We stayed at the Indian River RV/CG for convenience. If you're looking for wooded or secluded, Hoffmaster would be better.
Campgal2 wrote: We love nature, hiking and new experiences but also like the conveniences of full h/u and a full service CG.
For the most part, those two things are at odds in MI. Full hookups usually imply neatly-lined rows of trailers, much like like a neighborhood subdivision, and often coupled with concrete everything. Maybe you'll get a few trees, but you'll have to leave the campground to enjoy any real natural beauty.
100% on the money!
Campgal2 wrote: Also have to have wi-fi, so that limits our selections.
Yes, it does. You can certainly scratch off any of the state parks. I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for (nature, full-hookups, and wi-fi), but if you do, please let us know!
Indian RV/CG had wireless available for free but it was slow/spotty for us in the back. It was turned off at night.
oops...OK Mister D and Bimbert84...Thanks for your honest opinions...I completely agree with you on the fact that I'm not going to get "everything" I want. I know that SPs are definitely the way to go for the nature experience but on this particular trip, I wanted to see how much I could fit in one week that includes the "feeling" of being up north. OK, so maybe the feeling is all in my head...no matter because we don't mind driving to scenic points of interest and exploring. We will be staying at Indian River CG and we are planning day trips to Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, raft trip on the Sturgeon, possible pontoon boat outing on one of those lakes (Burt, Mullett, Pickerel or Crooked) and not sure what else. I know what I'm giving up (Hoffmaster) but I know what I'm gaining in activities and sight seeing, so...I hope I made the right decision on this first trip to MI. I'll definitely post some pictures of our trip including the CG and daytrips for anyone thinking of this area!
Plan B...if the MI trip is a total bust, then I can always look forward to our upcoming trips this year to Mammoth Cave, KY...two Ohio State Parks...and Hocking Hills, OH for my nature fix and no hook-ups!!
Campgal2 wrote: oops...OK Mister D and Bimbert84...Thanks for your honest opinions...I completely agree with you on the fact that I'm not going to get "everything" I want. I know that SPs are definitely the way to go for the nature experience but on this particular trip, I wanted to see how much I could fit in one week that includes the "feeling" of being up north. OK, so maybe the feeling is all in my head...no matter because we don't mind driving to scenic points of interest and exploring. We will be staying at Indian River CG and we are planning day trips to Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, raft trip on the Sturgeon, possible pontoon boat outing on one of those lakes (Burt, Mullett, Pickerel or Crooked) and not sure what else. I know what I'm giving up (Hoffmaster) but I know what I'm gaining in activities and sight seeing, so...I hope I made the right decision on this first trip to MI. I'll definitely post some pictures of our trip including the CG and daytrips for anyone thinking of this area!
Plan B...if the MI trip is a total bust, then I can always look forward to our upcoming trips this year to Mammoth Cave, KY...two Ohio State Parks...and Hocking Hills, OH for my nature fix and no hook-ups!!
Hocking Hills SP has electric and is by far my favorite area to date!
Campgal2 wrote: Plan B...if the MI trip is a total bust, then I can always look forward to our upcoming trips this year to Mammoth Cave, KY...two Ohio State Parks...and Hocking Hills, OH for my nature fix and no hook-ups!!
I doubt you'll find it's a bust. Like I said, Indian River RV Resort is a nice enough place, and you may well find it's the happy medium you're looking for.
I haven't been to Mammoth Cave since I was a kid, but we went to Hocking Hills a couple years ago and it was awesome.
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