Oregon to Niagara Falls

[1ciderdog]

We'll be leaving in a couple of weeks from Southern Oregon heading up I-5 to Olympia (visit relatives) then east. The idea is to take US 2 as much as we can to upper Michigan then down past Detroit and around to Niagara Falls. Anyone have any suggestions as to "What we should not miss" on this portion of our trip? Also suggestions to Passport America camp grounds, COE or National parks or other not to expensive camp grounds not far off the route would be helpful. The trip will continue on to Maine, down to Florida, across the south back to CA and then home. There'll be lots of places to see and visit along the way and I'll probably ask about different legs of the trip in a later post.
Thanks, Bob

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Don't miss Mackinaw Island for a day trip by ferry (no private vehicles on the island). Also consider going into Ontario at Port Huron Mi. then across to Niagra Falls from the Canadian side. Nice KOA in Port Huron, beautiful Jordan Valley in Ontario (about 50 miles from Niagra Falls)campground we used was OK for day trips around the area and back to Toronto, and at Niagra Falls we stayed at the 4 Mile Creek state park only about 6 miles from the Falls. We did a similar trip in 2006. From NY we went into Vermont, New Hampshire, then Maine.

[itdave]

Set aside some time to visit Glacier National Park.

[1ciderdog]

Thanks for the good suggestions - Mackinaw we might be able to do but will pass on the Canada side this trip. We have people to see in in the southern part of MI. We have visited Glacier several times and it is beautiful but we'll not be visiting it this trip.

[Poptop]

I agree with Piddln on the ride through Ontario from Port Huron east. Depending on how far south in MI your intended visit, it may be less money to go back north by the time you factor in the tolls (it adds up pretty fast) in Ohio, PA, and NY, plus the inconience of having to stop to pay, and being a "captive audience" as far as fuel and food on the toll ways. Just sayin.

We stayed at some really nice parks in Ontario with the Lake Ontario view out our windshield, all for about $20 night.

[1ciderdog]

Thanks - I can't argue the distance & toll fees but I'll be doing a little competitive pistol shooting on the trip & traveling with a handgun & ammunition eliminates traveling through Canada. I'm not comfortable shipping these toys so my choice is to travel the USA this trip.
Bob

[JohnRR]

I might not be an exciting place but I've got a big safe paved yard about 35 feet off US41 (same as US2) bypass when your coming through Marquette in the UP. There is one campground in Ishpeming Mi. just west of Marquette, and one in Harvey just east of Marquette, and a casino with three or four spots with electrical hook ups (free) in Christmas Mi about 30 miles east of Marquette.

Camp Perry in Ohio has a Military shooting range there.

You can miss a lot (actually all) of the tolls using basically all four lane roads just above the toll roads from Toledo to Buffalo.

[Bob and Inga]

Bob,

We were up in SD, ND, MT etc. last summer and were warned to stay away from US-2 in the MT & ND area. There is an oil field there and we were told that the heavy truck traffic on US-2 is real bad. Heard this from multiple sources. Plus all of the commercial campgrounds are full up that way, housing is a big problem there and the construction people are mostly in 5'ers.

In MT you would be better off on I-90 to I-94, MT has a lot of recreation areas that have campgrounds, half price with Golden Age. Check the MT state map and RVParkReviews.com I-94 will also take you by T Roosevelt NP in western ND and is worth a stop. Other option is to stay on I-90 which will take you past Devils Tower, Black Hills of SD and Badlands NP.

After getting past the above you would probably safe heading back to US-2.

Bob

[H. Miller]

We "second" the 4 Mile Creek state park @ Niagara - Reservations avail. on the internet..
We wouldn't miss Fort Niagara.

[skigramp]

I have some suggestions.


1) Pitchfork Fondue in Medora, ND ... don't miss this ... fantastic show, great dinner, great campground in the city park ... google it ... if you take the drive through the Teddy Roosevelt NP you will see bison and the herd of wild horses that have been established there.

2) Nice campground in the state park at Mandan, ND .. right on the Missouri River ... winter stop over point for Lewis and Clark expedition ... as I recall electric hookups with a dump station ... gigantic sites

3) Pictured Rocks nation shore, Munising Michigan, charter boat ride by National Park service, campground in city park ... make sure to purchase some pasties in a local bakery ...

4) The Locks in Sault Ste. Marie ... watch the shipping traffic of the great lakes go through the locks

5) Mackinac Island for a day excursion ... have lunch at the top of the hill overlooking the bay ...

6) Traverse City Michigan, sunset overlooking the bay north of town ... nice campground in the city park ... Sand Dunes National Park about 50 miles west on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan

[1ciderdog]

Time for a follow up. The trip did not go as planned. After I left home I discovered a leaking propane tank. I spent three days in Portland trying to have it repaired but that failed so I took (mostly) I-90 and down to Forest City where Winnebago replaced the tank. I was very pleased with Winnebago there!
Again, thanks for the suggestions and thanks JohnRR for the offer of a place to park. Perhaps next time.
Bob