Port Austin sits at the tip of Michigan's "thumb" peninsula with 140 miles of shoreline along Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night. Many campgrounds in the area report high occupancy from June through August, with reservations often filling up 3-6 months in advance for waterfront sites.
What to do
Lighthouse exploration: Visit Port Hope's lighthouse for educational tours costing $5 per adult and $3 per child. "You can tour the lighthouse for which the park is named... but you can only climb to the top on select–usually holiday–weekends. The volunteers are very passionate about their knowledge of the lighthouse," notes Lee D. about Lighthouse Park (Huron County Park).
Kayaking to natural formations: Rent kayaks to paddle to Turnip Rock, accessible only by water. "This campground is close to the launch site for Turnip Rock, so it's become very popular for weekend trips," explains Kate K. about Port Crescent State Park Campground.
Bird watching: The region attracts diverse migratory birds, especially at observation platforms. "Tawas Pointe State Park is an important stopping point for the migratory pattern of warblers in the spring, and has a very nice nature walk," mentions Mark H. from Tawas Point State Park Campground.
What campers like
Sandy shoreline access: Beaches throughout the region offer varying water conditions. "The beach area has a bathroom and drinking water. There are charcoal grills, and picnic tables in the picnic area around the parking lot. The beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline along the Saginaw bay," writes Nona A. about Sleeper State Park Campground.
Varied camping site options: Campgrounds offer multiple accommodation types. "A real hodgepodge of options: paved sites, sandy sites, some with electric, hammock sites, several different types of cabins, and domes," explains Lee D. about Port Crescent State Park.
Sunrise and sunset views: Waterfront sites provide natural light shows. "Walking along the beach, watching the sunrise or sunset, was incredible," shares Linda H. about Stafford County Park Campground. Sites near water often come at a premium but offer direct access to these views.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choose your site carefully based on your needs. "Sites are level with gravel pads. There is zero privacy between sites. Sites 1-4 in the Lakeview section are pull-through. All other sites are back in," advises Lee D. about Stafford County Park.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences variable weather patterns. "It was forecasted to rain during our visit to Port Crescent and we decided to brave it and hope the forecast would be wrong. It wasn't. It rained most of the day Saturday and Sunday. I know it's not the park's fault, but there was literally nothing nearby to do in the rain," shares Ashleigh M.
Limited tree coverage: Many campgrounds lack significant shade. "Sites are not shaded or secluded at all. But the stretch of sandy Huron beach in the park is still fantastic, despite high lake levels," notes Melissa G. about Sleeper State Park.
Guide
