Garden Peninsula Campgrounds
FAYETTE STATE PARK
Reservations: (800) 44-PARKS; (800) 605-8295; or mi/gov/fayette
Campers, including paddlers and boaters, love the Fayette State Park campground for its breezes and lack of bugs. It has a relaxing location near a long beach, by the boat launch on Big Bay de Noc, known for fishing.
61 semi-modern campsites (electricity, no showers, no flush toilets, or dump station) are on three short loops. Water is at four locations. Campsites are near Big Bay de Noc but not quite in view of it. Brown bats eat so many insects here, the campground has been virtually bug-free. Were this a modern campground with flush toilets and showers, it would be full summer long. Some 20/30/50 amp pull-through sites ($18/night) make Fayette attractive for big RVs. Sites with 20/30 amp service are $16/night. Prospective campers should make reservations for late June through mid-August to avoid a chance of not finding a spot.
The boat launch and swimming beach are just about 1/4 mile away by foot trail, but a long drive around to a different entrance. (Low water levels and beach grass have made the beach somewhat less attractive lately.) The park's 5-mile trail system connects the beach, campground, and Fayette Townsite. It winds through a beech-maple hardwood forest.
PORTAGE BAY CAMPGROUND/Lake
Superior State Forest
(906) 452-6227; dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Portage Bay. Not reservable.
On the Garden Peninsula's east side, Portage Bay in the Lake Superior State Forest is one of Michigan's little-known treasures. As part of the state forest system, it's less developed and less promoted than state parks. Its 23 large, rustic campsites are beneath mature pines, just behind low dunes from a wonderfully natural, quiet sandy cove. See Garden Points of Interest for details on its two hiking loops and boat launch for small boats. Coming here is ample reward for giving up easy access and hot showers. Changing camper preferences mean this choice spot isn't as busy as it used to be.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
Fayette State Park. 5-mile trail system of several loops in this big 711-acre park connects beach, campground, & townsite, winding through a beech-maple hardwood forest. Beautiful, sandy swimming beach, 2,000' long, is backed by low dunes, with an adjacent picnic area. The trail through the townsite has got to be one of the most interesting easy trails anywhere. ... more
Garden Points of Interest. Scattered across the Garden Peninsula are villages and shops worth a casual visit ... more
Threefold Vine Winery. First vineyards for making wine on commercial scale in U.P., now 70 grape varieties, with winery's reds best suited to Garden Peninsula. Wines run $9-$15 a bottle. Most popular: sweet Valentine Creek raspberry honey & semi-sweet Camp 9 red wine. Aattractive gift shop with local products. ... more
Fayette Historic Townsite. The museum-like "ghost town" is the remains of a company town around a charcoal pig-iron smelter serving Union arms manufacturers during the Civil War. The town curves around pretty Snail Shell Harbor on Lake Michigan ... more
Garden Orchards. A general apple orchard especially known for its unusual Honey Gold apple, sweet and so sensitive workers have to wear gloves to handle it. ... more
Portage Bay Beach and Ninga Aki Pathway. Low sand dunes, mature pines, spring wildflowers, and a secluded, sandy beach make these two short loops wonderful walks. Signs tell about 15 important plants in traditional Ojibwa life. ... more
Marygrove Retreat Center and bookstore. Since its beginnings the Catholic Church has had a robust tradition of spiritual retreats – stepping away from the busyness of life. This one is open to anyone interested in taking time away from the bustle of modern life ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
