Exploring Michigan | Higgins Lake State Park
We ended our summer with a camping trip down to meet my family! Higgins Lake State Park has been on my bucket list for a few years now and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen. The views were absolutely incredible, the camping spots were so freaking spacious, and I feel like everyone should visit just for the general store. I kid you not, this was the biggest campground general store I’ve ever seen! Bonus: There are updating the bathrooms so some buildings are practically brand new and the others are very well cleaned. There is also a pet-friendly beach! Although we didn’t have our two dogs this trip, some of our friends did have theirs and the pet-friendly beach was very well kept.
Day 1
We actually spent most of day 1 driving down. It was around a 6 hour drive from Houghton, including all of our bathroom stops. We arrived about 3pm to my parents already having a mostly set-up space. My daughter and I were in our tent, her with her new sleeping bag and I in mine! My parents had their amazing tailgate tent and a canopy that really helped keep our food in a safe space. The chipmunks and squirrels had no chill at this campground and would just about hop into your car if you left the door open.
After getting settled in, meeting with our friends, and playing at the beach, my dad joined me for my daily 2+ mile evening walk. I was 18 weeks pregnant at the time of our trip and exhausted from all the changes of the first trimester, so my exercise was simply walking until I could add workouts back into my routine. The park had no shortage of trails, however! Although we preferred to catch the sunset on the waterfront trail then walk through the campground, there were a few trails connected to the campground roads that we could have taken as well.
After getting back from our walk, we enjoyed the campground all decorated with Christmas lights, or something similar, and the campfire until my daughter passed out from all the fun and we had to carry her back to the tent.
*all-terrain wheelchair available and accessible walkway
Day 2
We enjoyed a slow morning, roasting coffee over the fire, I was working on a collaboration for Visit Keweenaw, and my daughter did a little homeschool before we started our day.
Related: 13 Fall Activities Every Family Should Experience in the Keweenaw
After everyone was fueled up and ready for the day, we headed out to kayak the Au Sable river with Canoe at Campbell’s. We chose the 2 hour canoe paddle, though there is a longer option and different boating options. The water levels were really low even after a light rain, which made navigating the fallen trees a tad difficult. The trip was still very much enjoyable and we took a quick dip in the water to cool off (where the fish tried to check out my GoPro!).
I want to say about half way through, my mom suggested sending Evelyn up to the front with me because she looked like she was going to fall asleep. I was not convinced, but sure enough she clonked!
I thought I had forgotten to pack our hammock, but I’m glad I checked anyways because it was there! So I set up the hammock after returning back to camp and took a little pregnancy nap myself. I tried to swim in the water, which you would think anything would be better than Lake Superior, but it was still too cold for me and enjoyed it from the beach while the girls played in the sand.
My dad and I went for our evening walk and decided to check out the general store this time around. I am so freaking amazed at how huge it was! There was even a kitchen to order food and beverages if you needed/wanted to. I ended up picking Evelyn out a Crazy 8’s card game set since she has been learning to play that and we didn’t bring any preschool friendly games. We had our evening fire at our site this night so when Evelyn fell asleep, we could all still be sitting around the fire next to her tent. I also happened to indulge in waffle cone s’mores every night, and if you haven’t made them then you better add it to your list!
Day 3
Our last full day! Our friends went out and rented a pontoon from a business right on Higgins Lake, drove it back to our side of the lake, docked it in the bay, and then we all went out to meet them after breakfast. I have to admit, that was pretty neat! So if you want to experience Higgins Lake on boat and don’t have one, don’t fret.
After returning the boat, we ended the day with our usual routine and began prepping for the morning pack. My daughter slept much of the 6 hour drive back home, so I would say it was a fun weekend.
It was absolutely wonderful staying at this campground and will be on our list of favorite State Parks to return to! As always, please be sure to leave your campsite better than you found it, say goodbye to your neighbors, and thank the park ranger on the way out.
I would love to know what your favorite state park campground is in the comments below! It can be from any state.