It only took me six years but I finally camped by the shores of the all five Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. Surprisingly, I camped in just two states to achieve that bucket list item: Michigan and New York. And, no, I really can’t pick a favorite Great Lake, that’s asking way too much of me, a person who has a deep devotion to any body of water bigger than a rain puddle.
2016: Lake Michigan
My first Great Lake was nabbed at McLain State Park on the Keweenaw Peninsula, up there on the UP of Michigan. I met my friends Rhea and Dave there, who showed me a lot of useful camping tips, since I was a two-week old vagabond at this point. You can probably guess that by the fact that Breeze isn’t exactly level in that site!
The lake was beautiful, and right across that road, so a perfect introduction to Great Lakes camping. And the Keweenaw is a gorgeously wild place to visit, with waterfalls and coastline and lighthouses.
2017: Lake Ontario
Ah, Four Mile State Park in New York, not too far from Niagara Falls. Weird name, but my site wasn’t weird at all. It was kind of in the middle of a field, with four of us figuring out how to distance ourselves simply by using the power poles as site guidelines. I backed up as close as I could safely get to the edge of Lake Ontario.
On a clear day, yes, you can see Toronto across the lake, but it has to be really, really clear. I like this photo better because I can pretend there is no civilization out there beyond the water, just endless blue water and blue skies. You really don’t get how BIG the Great Lakes are until you stand next to them and try to spot the other side.
2017: Lake Superior
My first time at the Porcupine Mountains State Park campground, I got lucky with a waterfront site and it was my birthday, so win/win there. Watching the sunrise and sunset on the water were the highlights of each day and I will admit I kind of cried leaving this sweet little spot.
I came back to Porcupine in 2021, with friends, and while it was earlier in the year (July instead of October), it was still gorgeous and those sunsets were still beautiful.
2020: Lake Huron
I have to give all credit for this awesome lakefront side to my friend, Karen, who did the research and then got me to agree that a dry (no electricity) site would be worth it for the view. She was definitely right! Straits State Park is right at the edge of Lake Huron where it meets up with Lake Michigan and our views of it were spectacular.
There was a little beach just below our sites and I loved hearing the water lapping the shore at night. And one day, I took the ferry out to Mackinac Island, just so I could say I’d been on the waters of Lake Huron.
2021: Lake Erie
The last great lake was waiting for me last week when I pulled into Lake Erie State Park, tired from a week of hot and humid weather in eastern Ohio. The lake welcomed me with a steady, cool breeze that lasted two days and cooled down the nights below 70F. Ah, heaven in a campground.
Every night, I watched the sunset from my chair (moved around to the back of the Alto) or from inside, reclining on the back couch. What a show the lake put on, with deep blues and purples finally fading to black just in time to let the fireflies show their bright bulbs flashing in the trees around me.
I had not expected that much of this campground, and it turns out I really underestimated it. The loop closest to the lake was small so quiet and half the sights, mine included, have a good view of the water. But, that’s not all, folks. It has a beach. And the beach had beach glass! One of my favorite things is to wander the shoreline of any beach, looking for weathered glass. My first day, I found this chunk of light blue glass and even did a little happy dance after I picked it up and saw how beautiful it was. Few things in life make me happier than finding a good piece of beach glass.
Astute campers might notice that every single camping spot was at a state park, not a KOA or a private campground. State parks are some of the best bargains around, both in terms of location and price. I recommend all five of the state parks mentioned here because they are the cheapest way to camp lakeside and see beautiful sights without going broke.
A normal lake is knowable. A Great Lake can hold all the mysteries of an ocean, and then some.
Congratulations on finishing the Great Lakes! They are so beautiful…with beach glass the icing on the cake.
So happy for you, Annie!
While we’ve visited all the lakes, we haven’t had the opportunity to camp near them and wow, am I now jealous! These sites are swoon-worthy, for sure.
You’ve got lots of great photos in here, but that birthday sunrise one looks like it belongs on a computer screensaver. So beautiful!
Interesting factoids:
The Great Lakes hold more than 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, stretch some 94,600 square miles, and consist of 6 quadrillion gallons of water.
No wonder they have the audacity to call themselves “the Great Lakes!”
I’ll have to do the New York state ones sometimes.
Ooh, the photo of Lake Erie is beautiful! Such clear water!
I need to visit Lake Superior and I will have seen them all. I grew up just south of Cleveland and my family raced sailboats, so I sailed on Lake Erie a LOT as a kid. I sailed on Lakes Huron and Michigan as well. Lake Ontario I’ve only seen from the car (I believe, but would have to ask my dad if we ever sailed there), but I’ve seen it almost every year, driving by on our way to our cottage on Manitoulin Island. I’ve spent most of my “Great Lakes time” in and near Lake Huron. It’s one of my favorite places to be on this earth. If you ever want to venture up there, let me know. I have a lovely spot for you to camp, or you can sleep inside the house!
We love your campground suggestions and your blog- we’ve been To a few of the same, it’s nice to be north for the summer for us Floridians
Porcupine, Straits, and Kellys Island oh and Pictured Rocks are my favorites! We just love the Great Lakes. Oh and who could forget the sunsets at Holland, and then there is Sleeping Bear…
Oh my, oh my, oh MY! I used to live in Hancock, so visited McClain State Park often (in the 80s). Would love to go up and camp there someday…it’s on my bucket list to camp up in the Keweenaw someday soon. AND I’ve tent camped at the Porcupine Mountain State Park, though not on the water, and in the end not in a tent….my friend brought the wrong tent poles so we couldn’t put the tent up. It was October. We were alone in the whole park. We slept on the ground under a clothesline with a table cloth over it. We were silly scared. Fun story now that we’re in our 60s though. AND I camped at the Straights State Park last year, on a waterfront site, just a few down from where yours was. Loved that park too! For Lake Huron I camped on the water at Harrisville, it was a lot of fun. So…I still have Lake Erie to do…will check out your park there! Thanks for all the memories!!!
Great accomplishment! Your photos are amazing. I had to gaze at the colors of Lake Michigan one for several minutes, then went back a gazed some more. Thank you for sharing!
I spent 9 years living in London Ontario, an easy day trip from 3 of the Great Lakes. Nice as they were, I could never shake the gravity pull of the Atlantic Ocean.
Beautiful images Annie!! I have only visited Lake Michigan (from Chicago) and Lake Erie (from my cousin’s cottage). Both lakes are BIG! Love the endless view to a clear horizon.