USA / Michigan
Camper Rental Michigan Great Lakes, Dunes and the Upper Peninsula
Michigan has more freshwater coastline than any state. The Great Lakes look and feel like oceans — sandy beaches, turquoise water and waves you can surf. The Upper Peninsula is 16,000 square miles of wilderness with waterfalls, cliffs and forests that feel more like northern Canada than the Midwest.
Michigan Rental Options
| Platform | MI Pricing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsy | $85-$275/night | Strong MI inventory, Detroit and Grand Rapids |
| RVshare | $75-$250/night | Best value, delivery popular statewide |
| Cruise America | $120-$225/night | Detroit metro depot |
Best Road Trips
Upper Peninsula Loop
7-10 days. Cross the Mackinac Bridge and enter a different world. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has 15 miles of multicolored sandstone cliffs on Lake Superior — take the boat cruise ($42/person) or hike the Chapel Loop trail. Tahquamenon Falls is Michigan's largest waterfall (200 feet wide). The Porcupine Mountains have old-growth forest and Lake of the Clouds overlook. Marquette is the UP's biggest city with breweries and lakeside dining. State campgrounds at Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon and the Porkies are excellent ($20-$33/night on midnrreservations.com).
Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City
3-5 days on the Lake Michigan coast. Sleeping Bear Dunes was voted "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America. The Dune Climb is a 450-foot sand mountain. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive has overlooks where the dunes meet turquoise lake water. Traverse City is the cherry capital — visit during the National Cherry Festival in July. Wineries on Old Mission Peninsula produce excellent Riesling. D.H. Day Campground ($25/night) in the national lakeshore is walk-to-beach camping.
Tunnel of Trees (M-119)
20 miles of canopy road from Harbor Springs to Cross Village. One of the best fall foliage drives in America. The road is narrow and winding with tree branches forming a complete tunnel overhead. Peak foliage: first two weeks of October. Petoskey (south end) has waterfront camping at Petoskey State Park. Cross Village (north end) has Legs Inn — a restaurant built from tree stumps with Polish-American food. Best in a campervan — larger RVs will scrape branches.
Michigan Camping Tips
- → Michigan State Parks are excellent. 100+ state parks and campgrounds. Book on midnrreservations.com. Modern campgrounds ($20-$45/night) with electric hookups, clean restrooms and many with beach access. Ludington, Holland and Warren Dunes are the most popular beach parks — book months ahead for summer weekends.
- → The Mackinac Bridge is an experience. 5 miles long, connecting the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. $4 toll. High winds can close it to high-profile vehicles (including motorhomes). If wind closures are possible, the Mackinac Bridge Authority website has real-time status. There's no alternate route — you wait or you don't cross.
- → Lake Superior is cold. Water temperature rarely exceeds 60°F even in August. The beaches are beautiful but swimming is for the brave. Lake Michigan's west coast is warmer — 65-72°F in summer. If beach swimming matters, stay on the Lake Michigan side.
- → Fall foliage peaks early. The UP peaks in late September. The northern Lower Peninsula peaks the first week of October. The southern part of the state peaks mid-October. Michigan's foliage is underrated compared to New England — equally spectacular with fewer tourists and cheaper campgrounds.
- → UP gas and services are sparse. Fill up before entering remote UP stretches. Between Marquette and the Porcupine Mountains, gas stations are 50+ miles apart. Cell service is spotty throughout the UP. Download offline maps and don't rely on GPS routing through areas without signal.
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