Long-term Parking - Southern Lake Michgan

L

LesR

Member
We're planning to take a clockwise, 3-week trip around Lake Michigan in July and am looking for parking options. Since we're coming from the South and will be doing a circle, the best areas seem to be North of Chicago or SW Michigan.

It looks as if I can park the truck and trailer at Northpoint Marina in Winthrop Harbor, IL or near the ramp in New Buffalo, MI. Any other ideas for a suitable parking location?

I'm also open to suggestions for "Don't Miss" places along the way, especially the western MI side. We've spent some time in Door County and will definitely spend time there. Other plans include Fayette State Park and Mackinac Island.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Les
 
I would try to get to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park. Voted one of the ten most beautiful places in the country, Near Traverse City. As long as you are in the area check out Leeland with all the wineries and that whole little penninsula, cherry capital of the world, lots of different fruit grown up there. Interesting area.
D.D.
 
We took our sailboat around the southern part of Michigan, the "mitten." We came up the St Claire from Detroit and followed their harbours up Lake Huron and down Lake Michigan, hauling out at Waukegan, Il and shipping Our Journey back to LA.

As far as Lake Michigan goes, we started at the top, Mackinaw City Marina and ended up at the bottom, St Joseph. While we didn't stop at every one, here is a list of the ones I remember and enjoyed: Mackinaw (trip to island, old village,) Leland, Manistee, Grand Haven ( enjoyed a great water organ serenade,) St Joseph Yacht Club (tell them you're a cruiser,) and Ludington. There were more and they were all great. The harbours were all enjoyable.

We used a guide the Michigan DNR put out: Michigan Harbors Guide. The DNR Boating web site is Michigan DNR Boating.

Boris
 
If you are cruising the West side of Lake Michigan...don't miss going into Grand Haven (Coast Guard City), then South Haven...great beach, and a quaint town...also Saugatuck is interesting and well worth the visit.
 
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