cl9

A few friends are going from Iowa to Grand Maraid, MI the last week of May. We're thinking we may go up through Minneapolis (one of us is a shopper) to Duluth and across to the upper peninsula of Michigan. We'd like to spend a day or two getting across Wisconsin (camping if the weather's nice). Any suggestions for things to do/see.
Thanks

arjay

Well, the most logical suggestion is to veer up towards Bayfield, WI - jumping off spot for Madeline Island and the Apostles - but I would think exploring there would add more than 1-2 days to you Wisconsin portion of the itinerary. (It's also likely to be pretty chilly,still). Another highlight: near the Wi-Michigan border (but I think on the Wisconsin side,just short of Hurley), we spotted some markers for a walk that led us along the river toward the Superior shore with about 5 different little waterfalls - very enjoyable. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I'm pretty sure we were travelling Rt. 2 and it was pretty self-evident.

Bonnie

A great campground is Pine Aire in Eagle River Wisconsin. Check the website at www.pine-aire.com. They have a terrific campground restaurant.
Bonnie

ttt

ttt

xxx

I wouldn't go out of my way to see Bayfield. It's way over rated, and the Big Top Chataqua (sp?) is pretty lame.

mts

The falls the previous poster is talking about is on the way to Black River Harbor, which is just north of Bessemer Michigan. Something worth seeing, in my opinion would be the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan near Silver City. It is located along the shore of Lake Superior
north of White Pine, MI.

cg

I made this drive many times as a kid from my grandma's house in Duluth to my aunt's house in Munising, MI. The route that I'd recommend is straight across the top, from Duluth through Ashland, WI, Ironwood, MI and Marquette, MI. I'd second mts' recommendation for a stop in the Porcupine Mts. (they have a campground there and lots of hiking). If you want a bit of a drive north, Houghton/Hancock MI is a nice stop. The drive across from Marquette to Munising is very beautiful, along the south shore of Lake Superior. When you get to Munising, Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore park is worth exploring. They have boat tours and also some hikes.

We always made the drive straight across (in about 7-8 hours from Duluth), so I don't have specifics about camping, but whip out the road atlas and you should find plenty of spots. The UP of Michigan is beautiful - one of my favorite places on earth. Have a great trip!

Mike

Watch out for black bears at Porcupine Mountains State Park. I encountered a mother bear and her 3 cubs on the Superior Trail there a few years ago and, needless to say, she was not happy to see us. The park is beautiful, just be aware of the wildlife.

MM

I am so pleased that someone finally asked about northern Wisc. since that is where I live. If you took a diagonal route from the Twin Cities to the U.P. of Michigan through Siren, Spooner, Hayward,... you would go by my town, Drummond, WI in the heart of the Chequamegon natl. forest.
I would like to recommend the natl forest campground on Lake Owen called "Two Lakes campground". Lake Owen is a beautiful lake .
However it is still chilly here. It has been a miserable spring with 23 consecutive days below normal temperature, according to tonight's weather report. Right now the winds are gusting up to 35 MPH and it is about 30 degrees. But it is starting to green up and by the end of May it might be pleasant enough for camping if you don't mind the black flies. Our pet name for them is "flying teeth". But seriously, let me know if I can be of any help.

cl9

okay, add-on question

Which is better up through the center of Wisconsin or along Lake Michigan?

MM

I don't understand the question since you were planning to head north to Duluth and then over. Cutting through Wisconsin would be more scenic than taking I35 to Duluth. I can't find your destination, Grand Maraid, MI on the map to see if it would make sense to go over to Lake Michigan and then up.

cl9

Sorry for the confusion.
We're looking for a fun way to kill a day or two on the way to Grand Marais, we don't necessarily want the fastest. We had originally thought about going to Duluth but other people have suggest other ways.
So its really a new question what's the best way to get from Iowa to the UP of Michigan.