Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

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jerry
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Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by jerry »

How crowded were the campgrounds in these 3 states last year and so far this year?
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by S_R_L »

Wisconsin:
Some of the State parks are fully booked every year.
I had a hard time getting dates I needed last year at some of the less popular parks. That said, when I actually got there they weren't as full as the schedules indicated. I think a lot of people reserved sites "just in case" and ended up changing their plans.

Most of the parks I visited day tripping weren't full but crowded enough that I was glad I wasn't camping there.
'22: RH-LC-DF-MB-CH-DF-3M-RH
'21: RH-DF-MB-MC-HL-Malone-SD-WC ~75 miles hiked including side trips.
'20: WC-FL-SB-IM-WC
'18: RH-DF-MB-ECB-DF-RH
'16: RH-LC-DF-TM-RH
'14: WC-HC-WC
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by jerry »

Thanks for the update! I'm also interested in National Forest and Corps of Engr. campgrounds.
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by grandrapidsjack »

it is very much a mixed bag in the Upper Peninsula.
the popular ones are full, some of the others seem like they are never full.
We have never not gone due to availability, but we have had to change our itinerary.
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by jerry »

Thanks!
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by Bobcat1 »

The main issue I had with campgrounds across the UP of Michigan was the cost. I need to raise my budget expectations of what a night of camping will cost! Two places I stopped at, but did not stay, required I purchase a Michigan State Recreation Pass (for Non-Residents) and then beyond that, the campsite was over $20/night. Neither site looked full (weeknight). In Minnesota, at Least in the Arrowhead, there are enough places to camp for free in Superior NF that are off the main tracks. SNF has different levels of campground service ranging from generally free and rustic with no trash bins and no water to full-service with hot showers available and some sites with hook-ups. And, while there may be "no camping" signs at trailheads and canoe landings, if you finish your backcountry trip and then need a "nap" to get ahead of exhaustion before driving home, I have never seen anyone object to sleeping in your car.
22 WC-HC-BCZ20-WC
19 RH-ML-TI-RH by kayak
16 RH-DF-MB-TI-RH-3M-RH by kayak
09 RH-DF-MC-TH-HL-SD-WC
00 WC-IM-WC
96 WC-FL-SB-SD-HL-CE-3M-RH
94 RH-DF-MB-3M-RH
92 RH-DF-LR-CW-HL-SD-IM-WC
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by jerry »

Bobcat1, Athens, Ohio!
I enjoy camping in our Nat. For. campgrounds. Especially, in SuperiorNF. Also, COE (Cor. of Engr) are affordable. Not sure why state CGs are not charging similar prices. Being an old man, I get to pay 1/2 price in NF & COE CGs. I'm ready to go in 2023.
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by grandrapidsjack »

check out the National Forests in the Upper. they are cheaper than State Forest/State Parks
And if you look around, there's a fair amount of township/village campgrounds that tend to be pretty simple and pretty cheap.
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Re: Campgrounds Mich., Minn., Wisc.

Post by jerry »

I stayed at Au Train NF CG about 2 years ago (in the UP of Mich.). You're right about the $cost$.
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