Take a trip over the bridge (if you’re a troll that is) and go camping at Straits State Park! Located just outside of St. Ignace, this campground offers a fantastic camping experience with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge.
Spanning over 180 acres, this park is not just a place to pitch your tent, it’s also a perfect home base for exploring the eastern Upper Peninsula. Simply soak in the scenery and enjoy some time in the north.
With over 250 sites spread across three loops, Straits State Park offers a variety of camping experiences. We stayed in the upper loop at site #154. The upper campground sits on top of a bluff and has some amazing views of the Mackinac Bridge. All sites in this loop have electricity.
For those craving to be closer to Lake Michigan, the lower campground is where you’ll want to stay. Divided into two loops, the lower east and lower west, this section offers some sites that are right on the water. Nonwaterfront sites are just a short walk away.
No matter which loop you choose, you’ll find convenient, modern toilet and shower buildings available throughout the park.
What I Liked
Scenic Hiking Trail: I loved the beautiful one-mile hiking trail that winds through the campground. It even had a direct connection to the North Country Trail.
Unbeatable Bridge Views: Who doesn’t love stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge? Along with the views from the campsites in the lower loop, there are two platforms accessible from the upper loop and the group camping area that offer some of the best bridge viewing spots.
Perfect Home Base: Straits State Park’s location is an ideal home base for exploring the eastern Upper Peninsula, putting popular locations like Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, the Soo Locks, and Garlyn Zoo within easy reach for day trips.
What I Didn’t Like
Site Shape & Setup Challenge: A lot of the sites in our area (#154) were unusually narrow and long, which made setup a bit challenging. I ended up having to hang my hammock close to the fire pit, and as a result, we couldn’t safely have a fire.
Drainage Issues on Some Sites: While our site was fine, there were several sites that had lots of mud and standing water.
More Information
To find more information about the Straits State Park, including a camping map, visit the Department of Natural Resources – Straits State Park.
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