|
|
| 237
Sites - See Site Map for Campground Layout |
|
|
The
tent site is on the row of lakeside sites that run from Sites
190-237. |
| Most
sites on this lakeside are generally smaller, and as the numbers
increase, so it seems does the depth of the sites. |
|
|
Further up the road, the Class C on the left is in Site 228.
The rear of the motorhome you see on the right is in Site 233. |
|
Most
Requested Sites:
|
|
|
Site
55 - Pros: on large corner very close to lake (that's the lake
behind the trees to the left). 50 amp electric service. |
| Cons:
it's right next to the public path to the beach. Strong, cold
winds sometimes from the lake cut through to the site, also
bringing lots of sand into RV. |
|
|
The
cons listed above for Site 55 were given to me by this nice
couple in Site 237. Despite the broad difference in numbering,
this site is the next one over from Site 55 on the corner.
|
|
Mary
& Ford (here with their 5 year old grandson, Dylan) are
from Rockford and have camped here for over 10 years. They
told me they had assumed Site 55 would be the most ideal,
but after being there, learned they prefer Site 237. It's
still just as accessible to the lake, but the winds are buffered
by the trees between the site and the beach.
In
general, they said they've always enjoyed this campground
not only because of the great beach and how you can watch
the freighters go by, but because they find the location ideal
for exploring the Soo Locks, or Tahquamenon Falls, or south
to Mackinaw City if they want to ferry hop over to Mackinac
Island (all within about 50 miles).
They
also camp in Colorado frequently but they think MI has some
of the nicest state parks they've ever seen!
|
|
|
Site
188 - Pros: nice sunset view over the lake from this site and
you can't get closer to the main beach access than this! |
|
Cons:
the largest path to the beach is right alongside by that fence,
the main road passes in front, and the playground is in back,
so if you're looking for quiet camping, I don't think this
is the site for you.
|
|
|
The
first site I was on - #123 - is considered a pull through on
their site map, and even though it is plenty long, I had to
disagree with it being a true pull-through... |
|
To
me, that term means you can pull in and out without having
to unhook your tow. But this would not have been possible
in this site unless the site directly ahead is empty. That's
because the electric box is so far to the front of the site
(seen here at the front of my RV) that there's not enough
room to squeeze between it and the tree ahead.
And
as a matter of personal preference, I don't like my dining
room window facing and being this close to the road, since
that's where I sit and work during the day.
|
|
|
So
I was glad they were so nice about letting me move to another
site I liked a lot better - a back-in with the bonus of nice
trees, but open in the right place so I got DirecTV satellite
signal here! |
|
This
is Site 81 and here I'm being visited by camping buddies I
met at Harrisville
State Park - Doug & Lori! We didn't get to visit very
long because a waterfront site opened up at Wilderness State
Park the day after they arrived here, so they decided they
would prefer that and the extra room there. Short but sweet
visit, anyway - I love it when you meet "old" friends
in new places!
|
 |
And
one of the things I appreciated most about Brimley was
meeting Trisha, a Park Ranger who was temporary manager
at the park while I was there. She made sure I was familiar
with all the features of the park and campground, but
also that I saw nearby local
attractions that might be missed, like this view at
Mission Hill Overlook. |
|
Since
Trisha was born in nearby Sault St. Marie but grew up
in Brimley, her pride in and affection for this park
was really obvious. She's traveled all over, lived in
other states, but she came back here for a reason. She
said she has fond childhood memories of riding her bike
here and playing on the playground, so it's a dream
to work here now. In her opinion, it's the "quintessential
family beach playground" with its all sandy shores
and no riptides on this usually calm and shallow bay.
I
was particularly impressed when I asked her my standard
question, "What's #1 on your wish list for this
park?" In response, I usually hear about needed
upgrades to the roads or the bathrooms, but without
missing a beat, Trisha said, "I just want my campers
to have a good time!" Talk about a great "customer
service" attitude - I loved that!
|
|
|
Staying
Connected
|
 |
I stayed connected to the internet with my Verizon aircard
here, although the speed was very slow. I usually could
not get a cell phone signal when in the campground. You
should also check with your provider to make sure you're
not connecting to Canadian cell phone towers when you
roam, which can be an expensive surprise on your next
bill! |
|
|
 |
Readers
have asked for short recaps of pros and cons about the parks
I visit. I realize this is subjective stuff and what bothers
some people, others won't have a problem with, and vice versa,
but here goes: |
|
In
general, what I was first surprised by in MI state parks,
as are most of my readers outside of MI, there are no water
hookups at the individual sites. People in MI seem surprised
when I tell them that most state parks I've been to do have
water hookups at the site (I'm not talking about sewer hookups
here), so it's all in what you're used to. I imagine the cost
of retrofitting these sites for individual water hookups would
be way too cost prohibitive - plus I would think the issue
of the pipes freezing in the winter would be a constant issue,
also.
As
for the dump stations I've seen, I like that the stations
are approachable from both sides, with potable water hookups
at each end. Quirk is that even though RVs can approach from
either side, there is still only one sewer outlet, so two
people can't dump at the same time.
|
Pros: 
|
Cons: 
|
|
The
most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen!
Whitefish
Bay on Lake Superior is sandy (not rocky). Although Lake Superior
is generally regarded as too cold, the water here in the bay
makes this area warm enough for swimming earlier in the season
than usual.
|
During
the time I was here, notices were posted along the beach that
the water was being monitored by Chippewa County Health Department
as a result of elevated levels of bacteria, specifically E.coli,
sometimes found after heavy rains in the area. Updated info
is available at the office. |
|
 |
General
Campground and Reservations Information:
|
|
|
Modern showers,
toilet facilities, dump station, playground,
picnic area
Reservations
information. All campsites are reservable up to 6 months in
advance of arrival date.
Reviews
from other campers at RVParkReviews.com
and
StateParks.com
|
Rates
as of July, 2011:
(always check with park or reservations for updates) |
|
Towed
vehicles : If you're in a motorhome with non-Michigan plates
and towing another vehicle, there is a one-time fee of $6.00 that
covers the extra vehicle and is valid for park entry during your
entire stay in one park. However, you must also have the non-resident
annual Recreation Passport ($29) for your motorhome in order to
qualify to purchase the $6.00 towed vehicle permit.
|
50 amp service: 46 sites have 50 amp service and they cost $2.00/night
more. 50 amp sites are outlined on the reservations site or you
can call the park for more information on them.
|
|
All
Brimley State Park and related pages:
|
| Inside
the State Park: |
Nearby
Activities and Attractions: |
| Brimley
State Park (beach views) |
Nearby
Attractions (Mission Hill Overlook, Cemetery, Iroquois
Lighthouse) |
| Campground |
Soo
Locks |
| |
Soo
Locks Boat Tours |
| Many
campers I met here took day trips to Tahquamenon Falls to the
north, and also to St. Ignace or Mackinaw City (also to get
over to Mackinac Island) to the south (about 50 miles apart
either way). |
|
|
|
|
|
