Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping

[High5Alive]

Has anyone stayed at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground.  What did you think?  Are there other campgrounds that our better in this area. The state parks our booked for the week that we need a campsite.  We have never camped in private campground and I'm a little afraid it is going to be to "busy".  We are looking for a place by the water that we can swim in and hiking trails.

Any suggestions, encouragement or thoughts would be helpful.

Thank you.

[mklawz]

We tent-camped there about 4 or 5 years ago.   It was a nice campground, though they really pack 'em in.  I wasn't happy with our particular site, we got wedged in way too tight.   You might get lucky with your site though, I didn't patrol too much to see everything and what the other sites might have looked like.  We spent most of our time on the island, Whitefish Point, the city proper.

But it's a really nice setting, right on the shore east of the bridge.  There were some sites right on the water, but I mostly remember there being a huge parkway area where you can sit and relax and enjoy the unobstructed view of the lakes and bridge.  It was simply gorgeous.  

I'd go back someday, but I'd like to somehow guarantee that I'll have more than 10' between us and another family.     It was a great location for a home-base to see the whole area.

[High5Alive]

We tent-camped there about 4 or 5 years ago.   It was a nice campground, though they really pack 'em in.  I wasn't happy with our particular site, we got wedged in way too tight.   You might get lucky with your site though, I didn't patrol too much to see everything and what the other sites might have looked like.  We spent most of our time on the island, Whitefish Point, the city proper.

But it's a really nice setting, right on the shore east of the bridge.  There were some sites right on the water, but I mostly remember there being a huge parkway area where you can sit and relax and enjoy the unobstructed view of the lakes and bridge.  It was simply gorgeous.  

I'd go back someday, but I'd like to somehow guarantee that I'll have more than 10' between us and another family.     It was a great location for a home-base to see the whole area.

Thank you for taking the time to give me an update.  We did pay a little extra for a site that is suppose to be by the water.  We are not used to being so close to other campers but I think that we will give it a try.

[mklawz]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  I really thought the views from the park-way there are great.  Bring a chair and a book and enjoy.   Like I said, it was a great base-camp for seeing the whole area.    You might be ok if you're right by the water.  I just remember our area back in the wooded area being crowded.  I think we got one of the last sites too and therefore not a good one.   You'll be OK.

Let me know what you think when you get back.  When are you going?

[High5Alive]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  I really thought the views from the park-way there are great.  Bring a chair and a book and enjoy.   Like I said, it was a great base-camp for seeing the whole area.    You might be ok if you're right by the water.  I just remember our area back in the wooded area being crowded.  I think we got one of the last sites too and therefore not a good one.   You'll be OK.

Let me know what you think when you get back.  When are you going?

We are going Aug. 1 to Aug. 6.  Have you camped anywhere else up that way?  Or for future reference did you have any places you just loved.  We went to Devil's Den State Park in AK in March.  We thought that was a great state park with good hiking trails, facilities and sites.  We would highly recommend it.

[mklawz]

Haven't really camped  that far north before.  Just that year we decided to visit the UP via the Michigan way (from Chicago), and then we did the western part of the UP via Wisconsin.  We went up to Porcupine Mntn SP, was just writing about it on another thread I think.  Great park but we got our *sses whooped by black flies and mosquitos in July.  

Our 'go-to' spot every year is the Warren Dunes SP.  Actually just made our reservation for there yesterday.   It's only 2-3 hours from Chicago and is really quite nice.  

Other than that we hit the usual SP's within  the 2-4 hour radius - Devil's Lake, Kettle Morraine, Shabbona, Mississippi Palisades, etc..  When the boys get a little older I'd like to venture farther again; UP, Apostle Islands, etc..

We are going Aug. 1 to Aug. 6.  Have you camped anywhere else up that way?  Or for future reference did you have any places you just loved.  We went to Devil's Den State Park in AK in March.  We thought that was a great state park with good hiking trails, facilities and sites.  We would highly recommend it.

[bonscott]

I know this might be a bit late for you but here are my thoughts.

Mill Creek is great although we have never camped there "in season" like you will be.  But with gas prices the way they are it might not be as busy as it usually is.
The key at Mill Creek is to not stay in the full hookup "bridge view" section which really packs them in.  But pretty much anywhere else is pretty nice.  There are many electric/water sites so big I can turn my SUV around without backing up.  Site sizes vary a lot but if you email them they will help you out with site sizes.  The older section is very wooded and smaller sites.  I'd go tents only or maybe a small PUP.

Here are pics of our site and some of the park: http://picasaweb.google.com/bonscott87/Camping2007MackinawMillCreekCampingMackinawCityMI

As for other places in that area:

1) KOA is actually pretty nice.  Quite wooded.  I usually do not like KOA's but this one isn't bad.
2) Best 2 places are the state parks.  Straits SP across the bridge is excellent and Wilderness SP is about 10 miles west of the city.
3) There are a couple other private parks but I wasn't impressed with any of them.

[cherrywine]

My family has been staying at Mill Creek Campground for a number of years.  It's only a few miles from downtown, but it's far enough away from the hustle and bustle that we can relax there without being in the middle of downtown.  To High5Alive: they expanded alot of the sites last year, so there are bigger sites for RVs now and they upped the electric, too.  They also have been working on making other sites bigger.  It's been really busy on the fourth of July before, but other times we have stayed there when it wasn't a holiday, it wasn't too bad.

They always seem to be upgrading stuff, last year they added Wi-Fi coverage, so I was able to get the laptop online.  They even remodeled the shower buildings, which are REALLY nice now.  We even got free use of the driving range at their new golf course a few miles away.  I would reccommend this place anyday.  We'll keep going back, the family that owns/runs the place is really nice and that's number one in my book.

There is lots of info on their website at http://www.campmackinaw.com/home.htm

[High5Alive]

My family has been staying at Mill Creek Campground for a number of years.  It's only a few miles from downtown, but it's far enough away from the hustle and bustle that we can relax there without being in the middle of downtown.  To High5Alive: they expanded alot of the sites last year, so there are bigger sites for RVs now and they upped the electric, too.  They also have been working on making other sites bigger.  It's been really busy on the fourth of July before, but other times we have stayed there when it wasn't a holiday, it wasn't too bad.

They always seem to be upgrading stuff, last year they added Wi-Fi coverage, so I was able to get the laptop online.  They even remodeled the shower buildings, which are REALLY nice now.  We even got free use of the driving range at their new golf course a few miles away.  I would reccommend this place anyday.  We'll keep going back, the family that owns/runs the place is really nice and that's number one in my book.

There is lots of info on their website at http://www.campmackinaw.com/home.htm

Thank you everyone that took time to give input.  We made the reservations a couple months ago.  Now I'm starting to plan the details of the trip.  Everybodies input will help make for a good trip.  Hope you all have safe and happy travels.

[kacee]

We have camped at Wilderness State Park for 10 or 12 years; we love it! Mill Creek is busy and cramped. My mom and dad have camped there when they couldn't get into the state parks, but they have a 30-ft. trailer and just blast the AC and go to sleep ... they aren't really there for the scenery! My mom did say she tried swimming there and there was something disgusting in the water. Maybe some kind of vegetation, but she said it looked like hundreds of floating turds (sorry to be graphic!) and she was afraid boats were dumping there. If you keep trying Wilderness up to a few days before you leave you will get a cancellation. We have done that before. Good luck and have fun. No matter where you camp in that area there's so much to do!
Kacee

[High5Alive]

Has anyone stayed at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground.  What did you think?  Are there other campgrounds that our better in this area. The state parks our booked for the week that we need a campsite.  We have never camped in private campground and I'm a little afraid it is going to be to "busy".  We are looking for a place by the water that we can swim in and hiking trails.

Any suggestions, encouragement or thoughts would be helpful.

Thank you.

Thank you for all the insights.  We spent 5 days at the campground and found it enjoyable because our pop-up was directly across from the beach so our kids could spread out and we could still see them.  It is true that they pack them in.  I am not sure I would have had as much fun if we were at a different site.  The kids loved it because the playground was nice and they could take a ride on an old fire truck.  Overall, we had a good time and enjoyed the sites of Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City, especially the forts.  I would suggest if you go to purchase the adventure package which allowed us to go to two forts and a Saw Mill (?).