Two Week Michigan Road Trip
Days 1-4 Indiana Dunes National Park
To be frank, this national park didn't quite meet my expectations. It could be due to our visit falling on the busy 4th of July weekend when it seemed like everyone from Chicago was there. On the first day, we attempted to access the state park beach area, only to be met with an exhausting 3-hour queue. Despite this, we managed to enjoy some quality time at the beach, and the hikes away from the shore were also enjoyable. While many visitors take on the three dunes challenge, the high temperatures made it too challenging for us.
While we were here, we stayed at the Michigan City Campground. They had a nice pool and playground and a good location near the National Park.
Days 4-8 Petoskey
We stayed at the Petoskey KOA (recently rebranded as a Jelly Stone), and it is honestly one of our favorite campgrounds ever. So clean, concrete spots, and they just expanded and added tons of more sites.
Petoskey is pretty touristy in the summer, but it’s easy to avoid the crowds at the campground. We did venture into town one rainy day and went shopping (American Spoon Foods is a favorite), we took the kids out for mini-golf, and ventured over to the beach a few times.
Petoskey also has a great location for day tripping. We went to Mackinac Island for a day, and Sault Ste. Marie for a day.
Days 8-10 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
We stayed at the Munising KOA which had much more of a “state park” feel, but it was fine. We LOVED our pictured rocks tour. I highly recommend paying for a tour boat because it is the only way you can truly see the rocks. From the lakeshore you are missing so much.
We also hiked the Sable Falls Trail which we really loved. If you continue on past the falls you’ll get to Sable Beach and Grand Sable Dunes. When we got down to the shore and I saw Lake Superior for the first time it literally took my breath away. I’m not sure why or what was so amazing, but it was just beautiful. Somehow we all made it to the top of the Grand Sable Dune which was no easy feat considering I pretty much pushed Henry up the whole way, but it was fun.
We also tried pasties for dinner based on a recommendation from a local, and they were awesome.
Days 10-14 Wisconsin Dells
Last but not least, we completed our Michigan road trip with a stop at Wisconsin Dells. This was a fun stop at the end to celebrate a birthday and do some kid centered activities. We went to Noah’s Ark Water Park, road the Duck boats, and went out for pizza. It was a fun relaxing few days.
We stayed at Holiday-Shores which is a great place we had been to before. I looked at a lot of different places since we had already been there, but felt like this was the best one.
If I were to do this all over again, I would spend more time at Pictured Rocks. There is a lot to see and do here.
Comments