We camped for 4 days. Our campsite was in the pines [closest to Lake Michigan]. When I called at 6 months out I grabbed one of the last 4 sites, so it was luck that we got our site.
The sites are definitely crammed in together and usually full to capacity but they’re nice. Sand bottom so kids don’t get dirty. The bathrooms and showers were very clean. I was impressed. Great hiking trails and bike trails. We were able to hike to big sable lighthouse. Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan walking distance.
Sand dunes. Kids had so much fun running up and down the dunes. The best dunes were accessed from Hamlin Lake. Beautiful hot sand. They were able to run up and down on the lighthouse trail.
Big sable lighthouse. It’s $2 for adults and $1 for kids to climb, free to just enter and roam around. Beautiful views and very windy on lookout tower. Interesting video and information about lighthouses, etc.
Amber Elk Farm. Husband wanted to do Mac Woods but was vetoed by the kids. It was ‘ok’. You rode around and looked at the bulls [wow beautiful] but couldn’t feed them. Then you went to the cows and were able to feed them [kids enjoyed] then you rode back. The petting zoo…despite pictures showing kids holding cute goats, etc. all the pets besides turkeys [not friendly] were behind wire fences. You could pet the donkey easily but hard to touch goats, pigs, bunnies although you could squeeze your fingers through. Overall I was disappointed. Kids enjoyed.
Lake Michigan. Beautiful. We called it the ‘L’Ocean’ because kids kept saying ocean…and I kept saying lake…they loved body surfing and digging in the sand. There were lots of tree limbs all about. Fun for fort making but ow when you hit one in the water. So fun to go and watch sunset near the cafe on the beach.
Town. We loved the town. How cute. House of Flavors is a must for ice cream but go during the day as line wraps around corner at night. We ate there and it was SLOW and EXPENSIVE but good food. Can walk around easily. Friday nights they have a street party which is fun. Bounce houses, face painting, etc. The Harbour has a great playground area for kids. Fun to walk around the town.
Hamlin Lake. We lugged our boat to enjoy skiing and tubing here. It was rough and windy. Beautiful. At one point it immediately went SHALLOW [less than 1 foot] but thankfullly it’s sand and DH cut engine so watch out for that [no markings AT ALL]. We were able to tube but nothing else. Best part of having boat was the access the fabulous dunes. Really beautiful. It’s a hike up but worth it. Water shoes recommended as it’s HOT in the sun.
Note: When we first left the idle zone we went to the right we were really disappointed as it was as rough as Lake Michigan but then we cut back to other side and it was like a different lake. Not sure which was Upper or Lower.
We enjoyed floating down the lazy river on our tubes, hiking the many trails, riding our bikes on the great bike trails, just being together.
Great vacation!
Trish
Trish's Travels 