U.P.-Porcupine Mtns

[pilotpip]

Wife and I both want to take a trip to the U.P. from St. Louis as our first "long" trip. Looking at the west side of the area around Porcupine Mtns S.P. would keep us in reasonable range for an easy two day drive with an overnight around Madison, or spending a couple days in Wisconsin Dells. Any suggestions? We would like full hookups if possible.

[jeff64]

Don't think you will find a fhu in a sp in either Wi or the UP. Do you have the Park Advisor app on your phone? It will show you a lot of locations and links to websites as well as a google earth link if you look closely. Union Bay campground has a shore area on Lake Superior that will have electric hookups only. Again no water or sewer hookup but there is a dump station. Two tiered pricing structure and sticker fee required. I dont' believe reserve america is doing either Wi or Mi any more. Camis USA you'll need to connect with. McLean SP and Copper Harbor SP should be in your itinerary both real nice. No shortage of private cgs in the up check out the app on your phone

[CarnivoreCamper87]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

Wife and I both want to take a trip to the U.P. from St. Louis as our first "long" trip. Looking at the west side of the area around Porcupine Mtns S.P. would keep us in reasonable range for an easy two day drive with an overnight around Madison, or spending a couple days in Wisconsin Dells. Any suggestions? We would like full hookups if possible.

have you checked the KOA? (KOA.com) I know they have a nice campground in the Dells and full hook up options as well. And yes, none of the WI state parks/campgrounds have full hook ups either (just electric) Devils Lake is a nice State Park. You can reserve on the WI DNR website now..

[pilotpip]

We elected to stay at the Madison KOA for a night on the way up and 2 coming back because I have a number of friends in the area, then staying at the Pictured Rocks KOA for a few nights in the UP. I'll give a report once we're back home.

[pilotpip]

As promised:

Both campgrounds were very nice. Madison KOA is a little tight for space, but they more than make up for it with the cleanliness and incredibly friendly staff. Stayed one night on the way up, and 2 the way back. On the way up, my power jack broke and that could have made for a crappy rest of the trip. Thankfully they're close to a big city. Gander/camping world was closed on sunday, but a Fleet Farm just 3 miles away had a manual crank jack that saved the trip until I can get a replacement power jack under warranty.

Madison had a nice pool, and on Saturdays they bring out a vintage tractor for hay rides around the grounds for the kids. They also had free cookies in the office. Lots of good food nearby, a big Kwik Trip gas station right across the street with pull through diesel pumps and plenty of room at the gas pumps, and a fantastic cheese store right around the corner.

Munising/Pictured Rocks KOA wasn't quite as clean, but it was still nice, and had large shaded spots. For the first couple nights, we were a couple rows away from my in-laws which was a bit of a challenge because my father in law was recovering from a major surgery and needed a little help with set up. The staff was great, and let us know there was a cancellation two spots down from them. Worked out great because it was time to dump the tanks! Moved after two days. Munising is a cool town, and Pictured Rocks is beautiful with tons of hiking. With a 2 and 4 year old we only scratched the surface and both kids already want to return. We did make a day trip to Mackinac Island as well. Again, just scratching the surface with the kids in tow but they really enjoyed the horses and fudge.

All in all, great trip and after 1700 miles of driving the Mini performed great overall. As an added bonus I was finally able to move my camper back into storage after the bad flooding in the area this summer so the HOA is happy.