In July I  had the opportunity to camp at Mill Creek Campground in Mackinac City, Michigan when Liberty Outdoors  hosted its annual Tear Stock event there.  It’s a large family owned campground started in 1965 and is still owned by the same family today.

The Campground has over 1 mile of shoreline on the Straits of Huron and offers waterfront campsites for tent, trailers and motor homes as well as a rental cabins. Although it offers over 600 sites the campground is laid out well, is very large and doesn’t feel crowded.

One of my favorite features is the great lawn, an area along the straits that the original designers designated as community space.  Rather than allow campsites directly on the water there is a large open area that everyone can enjoy. About every 100 feet there is a fire pit available so that anyone from any section of the campground can come and enjoy the water, the views of the Mackinaw Bridge and the colorful sunsets.

The Campground has public swimming beaches, a large pool, game room, bike rentals, and a great camp store with a large selection of camping gear, groceries, liquor and hot food service.   The roads throughput the campground are paved which makes bike riding to and from the beaches, pool and camp store a pleasure.  The sites are nicely landscaped with native plants offering shelter and privacy. The sites are level but not paved.

The campground itself is a great destination for a family vacation, reunion or rally. You could spend aceeek there enjoying bike riding, beaches, water sports and fishing but there’s a lot to do in the area. You can cross the Mackinaw Bridge and explore the Upper Peninsula or take a ferry to Mackinaw Island and visit the Grand Hotel for high tea. There are no cars allowed on the island but bike rentals are available. You can also pay a fee and take your own bike over on the ferry.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a short distance away with displays on the Edmund Fitzgerald and lesser known maritime disasters. Other points of interest include The Historic Mill Creek Discovery Center, The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Colonial Michilimackinac, and the Headlands International Dark Sky Park.