Camping areas around De Tour Village, Michigan sit at approximately 600 feet above sea level along the eastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where Lake Huron narrows into the St. Marys River. Winter temperatures regularly drop below 10°F, while summer highs typically range from 65-75°F with occasional 80°F days. The region experiences significant snowfall from November through April, with most rv parks De Tour Village and surrounding communities operating only during the May-October season.
What to do
Boat traffic watching: Set up at Paradise Point RV Park where sites offer direct views of shipping traffic. "We arrived to find the campground is very small but if you get a reservation it is well worth it. Lori explained the site in detail so I was comfortable that I could get my 36 ft toy hauler into the campground. There are14 sites here right on St. Mary's river. The boat traffic to the zoo locks can be seen from the campground," notes one camper.
Golfing: Several rv parks near De Tour Village provide access to nearby golf courses. The Bay Mills Casino RV Campground sits adjacent to a golf course that campers can access. "While the adjacent golf course was great, we'd need a more compelling reason to come back," reports one visitor about their experience at the park.
Island exploration: Use campgrounds as a base for exploring Drummond Island, which requires a short ferry ride from De Tour Village. "You can get to Sault St. Marie and Drummond Islas very easily from here. If you are looking for quiet with scenery this is the place," mentions a camper who stayed at Paradise Point.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campsites provide direct water access and views. At Loons Point RV Park & Campground, "Waterfront campsite are very nice... Some are a bit small but overall very comfortable... Awesome friendly people run the place!" according to one regular visitor.
Affordable full hookups: Several parks offer reasonably priced full-service sites. "29.00 a day with full hook-ups. 21.00 without sewer. All come with free cable tv and wifi antennas ever couple hundred feet so you get internet from any spot in the park," notes a camper at Bay Mills RV Park.
Dog-friendly amenities: Indian River RV Resort provides a designated dog area. "And a HUGE dog park with lots of room for pups to run off-leash, chase balls and make friends! (Speaking of 'off leash', our English Cocker Spaniel puppy darted from our trailer this evening during dinner hour. Thanks to the owners and the 'it takes a village' attitude, Maizey was corralled after a brief but intense getaway chase.!)" reports one visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many smaller campgrounds have limited sites and fill quickly. Paradise Point RV Park has only 14 full-hookup sites, making early reservations essential during peak season. "We decided to try this campground due to the difficulty in finding a campsite this year," explains a camper.
Self-contained requirements: Some rv parks De Tour Village require self-contained units. "You will need a self contained rig since there are no bathroom/shower facilities but all sites are full hookup," notes a Paradise Point visitor.
Seasonal limitations: The Upper Peninsula experiences early cold weather. "We were passing through the area at end of season (it definitely dumped snow and sleet all over us!) Grateful to have a place to stop, and to be able to stay hooked up!" reports a visitor to Lakeshore Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Find campgrounds with beach access for children. Loons Point has "a small area for swimming and a bathroom house on the property," according to one visitor, making it suitable for families.
Playground availability: Aune-Osborn Campground has a playground, though it may be dated. "Adjacent to the campground is a boat launch, playground (which looked like it was from the 1960's), fish cleaning station, and an RV dump station," notes a visitor.
Space considerations: Many campsites have limited room for play equipment. "The sites are VERY narrow, putting you right next to your neighbors," cautions a camper about Lakeshore Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: At Tiki RV Park & Campground, location matters significantly. "Rustic campground on a steep hill overlooking Lake Huron. Website makes promises campground doesn't deliver. We reserved 50 amp full hook up. We were charged an additional $15 to guarantee our site. We arrived today to find a tight sloping site with only 30 amp service for our 34 ft motorhome," warns one RVer.
Hookup placement challenges: Several campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. "Our water was nearly 50 feet away and some are on the wrong side," notes a visitor to Aune-Osborn Campground.
Internet availability: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. "The Wifi was below average for a CG this size, and even very early in the morning, it was mediocre. The water pressure was average at about 40 psi. However, the cable worked well with lots of channels," reports an RVer who stayed at Bay Mills Casino RV Campground for a week.
