Hi Guys,
I have vacation next week and plan to do a Lake Michigan Circle. I live in SE WI so I'm familiar with the WI side but I'm looking for some "must see" spots on the Michigan side. Apprecciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Greg - you are going to circle Lake Michigan in a week? That's a quick trip! However, having spent a lot of time on the Michigan and Indiana portions of the lake, some thoughts (assuming based on your post that you are looking for nature spots with photography possibilities!):
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is fun, especially West Beach and the Mt. Baldy area. The Indiana Dunes State Park is also part of the area and is one of the nicest parks in Indiana. I have spent lots of time in that area and always enjoy it.
The other National Lakeshore you should check out is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - definitely worth a visit as well. I enjoyed a brief visit to Glen Arbor as well, a nice little town to visit. If you have the chance, head up the Leelanau Peninsula as well.
Other excellent dunes locations along the shore include Warren Dunes (near the Indiana Dunes) and Ludington Dunes state park, which has lots of excellent trails and interdunal wetlands. I've heard that the Nordhouse Dunes area near there is good too, but I've not visited.
On the Upper Peninsula I know that the Garden Peninsula and Fayette State Park is very nice (though that's second hand info from a trusted source).
Towns I have enjoyed visiting include Union Pier, Saugatuck, Holland, Ludington, and Petoskey, and Mackinac City is fun. Not as familiar with the UP area....
Hope that helps! CJ
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 9, 2007 at 9:34 AM
All the "hot spots" CJ mentioned are a must to see, especially Sleeping Bear Dunes NP. Heading north along the lakeshore, be sure to hop on M22 once north of Manistee. This is the most scenic route and will lead you right past Crystal Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes on this side (the west side) of MI and up to SBDNP.
If you want to see a few towns, don't not forget Grand Haven, MI with it's World's largest Musical Fountain and the 1/4 mile long pier and lighthouses. GH is about half hour north of Holland (straight across from Milwaukee).
Discussion
2 repliesI have vacation next week and plan to do a Lake Michigan Circle. I live in SE WI so I'm familiar with the WI side but I'm looking for some "must see" spots on the Michigan side. Apprecciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Greg Yahr
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is fun, especially West Beach and the Mt. Baldy area. The Indiana Dunes State Park is also part of the area and is one of the nicest parks in Indiana. I have spent lots of time in that area and always enjoy it.
The other National Lakeshore you should check out is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - definitely worth a visit as well. I enjoyed a brief visit to Glen Arbor as well, a nice little town to visit. If you have the chance, head up the Leelanau Peninsula as well.
Other excellent dunes locations along the shore include Warren Dunes (near the Indiana Dunes) and Ludington Dunes state park, which has lots of excellent trails and interdunal wetlands. I've heard that the Nordhouse Dunes area near there is good too, but I've not visited.
On the Upper Peninsula I know that the Garden Peninsula and Fayette State Park is very nice (though that's second hand info from a trusted source).
Towns I have enjoyed visiting include Union Pier, Saugatuck, Holland, Ludington, and Petoskey, and Mackinac City is fun. Not as familiar with the UP area....
Hope that helps! CJ
If you want to see a few towns, don't not forget Grand Haven, MI with it's World's largest Musical Fountain and the 1/4 mile long pier and lighthouses. GH is about half hour north of Holland (straight across from Milwaukee).
Have fun!