Camping in the U.P.

CREATING MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME: CAMPING IN THE U.P.

Marquette, MI – We may not have made the Top 10 locations to visit this summer, according to some reports, but something that has made the Upper Peninsula famous for its summer tourism industry are the vast areas of camping available up here ‘above the bridge.’

Tents in the Tourist Park campground at sunset in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)

As I write this, I am sitting by a campfire and it is about 5:15 a.m. It’s a time when the world is still; no telephones ringing, no one stopping by to visit, no demands that I have to handle this early in the day. I cherish this time in the morning, as it’s when I am able to plan out my day. My children are still sleeping, bundled up in their sleeping bags and snoring contently. I like to get a jump start in the day’s progression, if only for a few hours, because it is time that belongs just to me.

My sister and her family are camping at a little site about an hour from Marquette and they have a spot right near the water. I watch as the mist and fog lifts from the river and hope to be able to catch the glimpse of a moose, like my brother-in-law did right here just a few days ago.

I sip my percolated coffee and thank God for the new day and enjoy every bit of this experience. The birds are waking up, the crickets are croaking and you can hear the water running through the rapids just beyond the bend. The grass is wet with dew, so I dry off my feet and sandals by the well stoked fire. Far off in the distance I hear the sound of a chainsaw and am thankful that I am here and not at work today.

The U.P. is full with lakes big and small so bringing or renting kayaks is a fun addition to any camping trip. (photo by Ron Caspi)

Whether you’re having coffee on your deck at home, or are blessed enough to be camping as I am, watching the sun come up in Northern Michigan is a view that one cannot help but appreciate. The site that we are at is nestled deep in the woods, and we happen to be the ONLY ones here, so we have our own little secluded paradise right here, not even an hour from our home. There are many little campgrounds located in the Upper Peninsula, and I happen to like it here very much.

There are many modern campgrounds today that have electricity, showers, toilets and even laundry facilities, for those that don’t think rural camping is something that sounds appealing. We happen to prefer the “outback” version of those…the smaller campground, with fewer people, and more privacy where you and your family can do as you wish, without adhering to noise restrictions and such.

If you are a first time camper, then welcome to the club! This happens to be one of my family’s favorite activities; we look forward to it all year long, through what can be treacherous UP winters. There are some essential things you must pack, including mosquito repellant, sunscreen and plenty of water. Sleeping bags, extra blankets (because this late in the season the UP nights can still get quite chilly) and food items are also essential when you’re camping.

Playing music or telling stories around the campfire at night is one of the highlights of camping. (photo from Hiawatha Music Festival by Ron Caspi)

I was lucky enough to have started the experience of camping while I was quite young, so I thank my parents for giving me a jump-start of learning how to do it. If you are new to this type of experience, it may seem a little daunting the first few times, but you will find that each trip will get easier as you learn what you need for each trip.

Usually for our first camping trip of the year, I always forget something. Having a “camping checklist” is not a bad idea for you first-time campers or ‘list makers’ out there. Something that we do every year for our first time out is to camp close to home, as it alleviates the need of having to drive too far for the items we forgot. Don’t be discouraged, I have been camping with some other very experienced campers, and someone ALWAYS forgets something.

Whether you’re visiting the area or a resident here, camping is a very rewarding experience. It is a time where we put away anything with a screen (except for Mom who writes in the mornings) and just enjoy spending time with each other. It is a special time where we aren’t interrupted with life’s curve balls or the monotony of work or having to “be” somewhere.

Whether it is watching my son light the campfire for the first time, or watching my daughter catch her first big rainbow trout, spending time around a campfire can be everything that you make it. S’mores are a necessity if you are camping with children, and hot dogs on a stick are a quick and easy dinner suggestion.

Kids can’t get enough of cooking outdoors! (dollar photo club.com)

There are over 96 campgrounds located in Marquette County alone. It boasts two state parks and many little campgrounds, just like the one we’re at right now. The best way to find one in your area is to locate the area’s Chamber of Commerce and they will give you a complete list of where to find one in your specified location. You can click this Pure Michigan website link for info

Camping is an inexpensive alternative to other types of vacations during the summer months. It is something that teaches you to appreciate nature and all that it has to offer. Camping has been the backbone of many family’s greatest experiences and I urge you to try your hand at it today. By visiting a campground, you are helping to lay the groundwork for your children and many more generations after you.

Just remember the old adage, “take what you bring, and leave it better than when you found it.” Be sure to extinguish fires when you leave, and pick up garbage and such so it is in the pristine condition for the next family to appreciate. Here’s hoping that you and your family continue to have a safe and wonderful camping season. Our sweet summer nights will soon just be a memory, so take the time NOW to go camping; may you thoroughly enjoy it!

Camping offers you the chance to sit back and enjoy a sunset or two in the beauty of nature. (photo by Ron Caspi)

by Maggie J Shepeard

Maggie J. Shepeard lives, works and plays in Marquette, Michigan with her husband and four amazing children, ages 10-18. She’s been an avid writer since the moment she first picked up a writing utensil. Non-fiction novels are her specialty, but she can see a storyline in everything and everywhere that she looks. Often working under the pen name, “Kathryn Lee,” she’s had one book published and is under contract to complete two more before year’s end. She’s a full- time student at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette, with a Major in Multimedia Journalism and a Minor in Writing. She’s taken every English and Writing class that she can, but still learns something new with every new subject. Maggie enjoys traveling and camping with her family and looks at everything is life as an adventure. She’s a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan, and she can be found every Sunday (during the season) rooting for her team. Maggie is a “Yooper” all the way, and is originally from Powers, Michigan, although she’s also lived in both Cadillac and Escanaba, Michigan before finding her permanent home on the pristine shores of Lake Superior, right here in Marquette. To see more of Maggie’s work, or to reach her via email, please click the link below.

Website