Power Island County Park Primitive Campsites

Campground Review:

This small, remote, six site campground is perched on Bassett Island, which is officially part of Power Island, connected by a small isthmus. Locals and tourists alike love this beautiful little spot in the middle of the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. This campsite can only be accessed via boat with easy access from Bower’s Harbor marina on the Old Mission Peninsula.* We paddled our sea kayaks out as we are comfortable in the changing sea/wind conditions of Lake Michigan, but do keep in mind that conditions on the water change very quickly. Even in an afternoon, the water can go from calm and glassy to 3-4 foot seas. Most folks visit this island via power boat and anchor off the shore of Power Island.

Each campsite has a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Some are heavily wooded and others are very open to the sun. Most have direct water access to the crystal clear, turquoise lake. Pit toilets (which are rather stinky) are available. You must bring your own water, pull from the lake and purify, or get it from the pump near the dock on Power Island (not easily walkable to the Bassett Island campground though). Many little sandy beaches speckle the shores of this island (great for a picnic or hammock nap), as well as various short hiking trails in the interior of Power Island. There are currently a nesting pair of Bald Eagles and their fledgling on the southeast side of the island.

Reservations for this campground are rather quirky. While payment envelopes are available at the campground, there is no information about price, etc. listed. This seems to be an old system that was in place at one point and not used anymore. There is now an online reservation system, though getting 4G on the island may be troublesome depending on your carrier. http://www.grandtraverse.org/FormCenter/Parks-Recreation-10/Power-IslandBassett-Island-Campsite-Rese-68

From our extensive experience camping in remote places, we found the cost for camping to be exorbitant given what the campground provides ($25 per site for county residents, $45 per site if you are outside Grand Traverse County).

*Note: Back on the Old Mission Peninsula are 10 vineyards/wineries worth a visit, with Bower’s Harbor Vineyard just a ½ mile from the marina. Also, don’t miss a stop at the Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant on the peninsula, just a few minutes from the marina. Note: Biking around the peninsula is absolutely beautiful, so bring those bikes too.

Product Review: As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I was able to test the HellaGood adventure blanket by Belmont Blanket, handmade in Portland, Oregon.

What I like most about this blanket:

· Rolls up into a nice size that’s easy to throw in the car, tent, or sea kayak, though big enough for two people to lay comfortably on the beach.

· Has multiple uses: great for an extra layer in the tent or around the campfire on a chilly evening, awesome picnic blanket, perfect for a nap in the shade in the hammock.

· Waterproof and dries very quickly if it gets wet.

· Can be used in the sand and easily brushes off, even on the soft fleece side.

· Two sides: the blue side is waterproof so can be set down on damp sand, grass, etc. while the black side is soft fleece and comfy against your skin. Or, you can use it in reverse as a picnic table cover!

· Well-constructed and handmade.

Some of the things I wish this blanket had:

· A draw string carrying bag would be a great addition to this product and could be used as a pillow if stuffed with a sweatshirt.

· The leather strap to hold the blanket in the rolled-up position should be permanently connected to the blanket; we are concerned about losing it.

Product Link:

http://www.belmontblanket.com/sdasd/hellagood-blanket

Product Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VEF-_DWvbo