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Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 10:13 pm
by hans1886
We have a group of 8 looking for a cheap place to camp for the night prior to our departure on the Ranger III in late June. I get the impression that all of the State Parks nearby (Twin Lakes, McLain, Baraga) cater to RV camping and not tent camping. Emily Lake State Forest just south of Houghton has 9 "rustic" campsites, first-come-first-serve, for $15.00 a night. But we have a 6 hour drive from Minnesota and I am a little nervous if these campsites will be available. Has anyone stayed here? Are they busy on Monday nights (especially since it is a week prior to 4th of July weekend)?
On a separate note, can someone recommend a good Isle Royal guide book? I know of 2; "Isle Royale Info - A Comprehensive Guide to Isle Royale National Park" and "Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes".
___Thanks___
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 10:51 pm
by Ingo
hans1886 wrote:... can someone recommend a good Isle Royal guide book? I know of 2; "Isle Royale Info - A Comprehensive Guide to Isle Royale National Park" and "Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes".
"Foot Trails & Water Routes" is considered the definitive guide by most. Just picked up the latest edition myself. Not familiar with the 1st one.
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:23 am
by Tom
Many who have hiked IR have carried DuFresne's Foot Trails and Water Routes. You can't go wrong with that in your pack.
Isle Royale Info - A comprehensive guide is a newcomer to the book arena, but I'd like to think it's also full of wonderful tidbits about enjoying the island. It's written by non-other than MikeT of the forum, the guy that runs IsleRoyale.info and used to host the "old" board. In what I've seen on the website, it's chock full of Isle Royale goodness and tidbits, and he's certainly been to the Isle enough to be an authority. Nice guy, too!
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:26 am
by Mandolynn
Regarding camping, a couple of years in a row John Dunn had those of us meeting to go on the service trip via the Ranger meet up at McClain State Park and stay in one of their cabins. It was very plain but very clean, a nice big one-room cabin with plenty of bed platforms and an outhouse for facilities. I don't think it has electricity but I could be wrong. It was a great space for last minute re-packing. It's a bit of a drive to a grocery store from the park, so if you suddenly find you need a last minute supply of some kind, it's not the best. But it was a very beautiful site and you can reserve it in advance to make sure it's available.
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:59 am
by jerry
Across the river from the Ranger dock is the city of Hancock. They have a campground (west side of town) that isn't too expensive. Was a little noisy until the kids in nearby sites went to bed. No more then 10 or 15 minutes from the Ranger parking lot.
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:33 am
by IncaRoads
Link to Hancock Recreation Area - Beach and Campground...
http://www.cityofhancock.com/recreation ... ground.php
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:21 pm
by DP89
This is what I did. Good cheap place to spend the night and get your packs ready for the ferry.
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:30 am
by Keweenaw
I think the Hancock campground is your best bet. McLain is nice and has some big sites but after you pay the motor vehicle fee and the campsite fee you're halfway to a motel room. BTW - if you do decide on McLain they have a free parking area across from the entrance so you can just pay the vehicle fee for one car and shuttle everything in.
Don't forget to throw in a dining fly to use at the campground in case it's raining. You can just leave it in the car while you're on the Island.
Bob
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:05 am
by hans1886
Thanks everyone for your feedback!
-Cory
Re: Camping near Houghton, MI
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 2:13 pm
by ryan.levier
hans1886 wrote:We have a group of 8 looking for a cheap place to camp for the night prior to our departure on the Ranger III in late June. I get the impression that all of the State Parks nearby (Twin Lakes, McLain, Baraga) cater to RV camping and not tent camping. Emily Lake State Forest just south of Houghton has 9 "rustic" campsites, first-come-first-serve, for $15.00 a night. But we have a 6 hour drive from Minnesota and I am a little nervous if these campsites will be available. Has anyone stayed here? Are they busy on Monday nights (especially since it is a week prior to 4th of July weekend)?
On a separate note, can someone recommend a good Isle Royal guide book? I know of 2; "Isle Royale Info - A Comprehensive Guide to Isle Royale National Park" and "Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes".
___Thanks___
Plenty of tent camping in Twin Lakes State Park. If you're searching for a spot to guerilla camp on the lakes, send me a private message.