My inlaws live in NW Wisconsin, and for the 25 years that I have been going there during the spring, summer and fall, I can tell you that the only consistant thing about the weather is that it is inconsistant.
We've been there in early April and in late October and had beautiful days with temps in the 70s, and also have had snow
/rain /sleet /freezing temps, and we've been there in July and August and had snow /rain /sleet /freezing temps, and beautiful sunny days... 3 years ago, we were there in mid July, and we had one day where snowflakes fell (nothing stuck) and later in the week it was in the 60s, all in the same week. One year we camped in mid-April, and until the last day, it was in the 60s and 70s. One Halloween we were up there, before our son was in school, and it was in the 80s. You just never know.
Joining the chorus. This area, along with Chicago area in which I live, can, and has had, snow in April. Very 'iffy' time of year.
What no one mentioned about going in June are bugs. Black flies can come out. We've been driven out of camping by them.
Best time, as someone else posted, is late in Summer or early Fall. Late August through September.
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25 years tent camping, 4000+ miles of hiking, lots of biking
we've been to UP several times both winter & summer. we bring our snowmobiles up in winter (snowfall is measured in feet, not inches) and summer. Michigan snowmobile trails officially close April 1st but there can be lots of snow still. summer brings out the insects that are the size of small birds (bring insect repellent). I'm not going to say when is the best time to go, we always pack 4 season clothes in the RV. and I'll add 1 more stop to Drbolasky's list to see. Seney national wildlife refuge.
Thank you for all the responses... We've not decided on when we'll make the trip. I think April is out... we may go to Florida for spring break instead.
If we make the trip next summer, it'll have to be early to mid June. I'm not sure about this "black fly" business... I'll have to do some research.
I wish we could pack up and leave today... I just want to get on the road!
We travel to the UP often, our son goes to school at MTU in Houghton. We go at least fall(late August) to move him in and again late April to maove him home for the summer.
One issue to keep in mind is that most CGs do not open until May 1. Some state parks may be open but no facilities (we stay at McClain in April, shower building not yet open until May).
We have also been in the UP during summer, deep fall, and winter (Winter Canrival at MTU).
We also did the circle tour of Lake Superior a couple of years ago after dropping son off for fall semerster (late Aug/early Sept). That trip started with nice weather but before we finished temps were in 40s with cold drizzle.
In Oct we had some snow/sleet at MTU.
You can get some big storms in the UP, it is not limited to areas further south (the many shipwrecks didn't just happen without some help from mother nature).
I grew up in the lower peninsula and have been to and through the UP many times. Even spent a year at NMU in Marquette. Only once have I had a problem with the biting flies, and that was the first week of August right along the Superior shore. We moved inland and had no problem. I may be wrong, but I think they can be somewhat localized and if you hit a spot where they are thick, just go elsewhere.
Interesting post about Seaberg pontoon rental, I never checked that out before. Looks like it's only about twice what we paid for 2 tickets on the tour boat along Pictured Rocks. Which is well worth seeing, BTW. The Captain's continual banter was worth something, but having one's own boat would be worth something as well.
Plenty to see around there. Porcupine Mountains SP, Bond Falls, Keweenaw Peninsula, Pictured Rocks, historic Fayette SP, Kitchi-Ti-Kipi at Palms Book SP, Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point, the Soo Locks, the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinac Island... don't miss da U.P.!
Mike & Sherry
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As said, the black flies are not much of a problem in the U.P. We've never yet been bothered by them at all during any month of the year as they are NOT everywhere. Most likely right along the shoreline in wet area pockets during their hatching season just like mosquitoes will be and/or in localized areas. If you are in the quite small localized area they are at, just move to another area. Can't say how large a localized area that they may be a problem as it may be only a 100 foot dia circle or a one city block sized area. Again, they are NOT everywhere!
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We made the trip from Orlando to Copper Harbor to Orlando last may and June. We were on the UP from June 8 to 20 and enjoyed every minute of it. Weather was a little cool (even the natives agreed) and wet the first few days, but otherwise great.
Consider the Musining RV Park (City run) in the middle of the UP. Ask for a beachfront site.
Another City run park is at Houghton, at the entrance to Copper Country. Sites back down to the Portage Canal.
Enjoy.
ON EDIT: We saw no sign of Black Flies in June although we had been warned about them.
Formerly posting as "littleblackdog"
Martha, Allen, & Blackjack
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