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The week I spent at McLain State Park was one of my very favorite
stops ever, not just in Michigan. It was also here that I
first truly began to understand how special and unique the
Upper Peninsula really is. But the icing on the cake is this
area is even a "peninsula on a peninsula" since
the Keweenaw Peninsula is at the tip of the Upper Peninsula.
See Hunts' Guide and other Keweenaw Peninsula links at the
bottom of the page for some great overview shots to see what
this looks like.
One
of the info signs in the area set the stage: "Surrounded
by the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the Keweenaw Peninsula
is a land of dramatic constrasts. Here, the crumbling ruins
of a once vast copper mining empire stands alongside clear
running streams and forests of maple and pine." There
were so many interesting things in the area, but the setting
of the campground itself made it easy to just want to stay
there and relax and enjoy...
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These
beach chairs placed all along the bluff reminded me of a luxurious
resort. The campground is directly across the road from this
beachfront area. |
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of my favorite things about McLain State Park were the endlessly
fascinating sunset shows! |
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This
sunset absolutely blew my mind! |
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honestly, the colors were not enhanced in any way - this is
all nature's artwork! |
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Every
night was just a little different but always breathtaking... |
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Looking
down the bluff in the other direction, you can see the other
campers enjoying the scenery and waiting for the next "show." |
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are lakefront campsites directly on the other side of the road
you see here with no trees to buffer the view (or the wind).
More sites are on the other side of the trees along the waterfront
and the shady interior. |
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A
little further up on the shoreline, you can now see RVs in the
campground. |
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Breakwaters:
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After
entering the park, to the left of the campground is a large
parking area for public day use with a nice playground and
picnic areas. Then if you follow that road around for less
than a mile, you come to another large parking area, a big
covered pavilion to rent for groups, picnic tables scattered
around, soda machine, playground, and restrooms.
I
was told by people at the campground that even if you can't
get phone or internet access from your air card or my-fi from
the campground, you could get it from this Breakwaters area.
I tried it and it worked - it also worked from the parking
lot outside the campground before you drove back to Breakwaters.
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Here
in the distance you see the Keweenaw Waterway Lighthouse. |
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The
station was established in 1868, and first lit in 1920. The
lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard; the light is still
automatically operated and the tower is closed.
I
enjoyed walking on this breakwater, but surely wouldn't do
it in high waves!
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The
beach to the left of the breakwater wall. You'll see rock hounds
here looking for agates or just the pretty multi-colored rocks
to be found all along the seashore. |
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Malia's
2 cents: A
campground with mostly nice sized sites and a good blend
of shaded and sunny areas, plus it's so close to the amazing
shores of Lake Superior you'd be happy never to leave
the park. But there's also so much to see in this gorgeous
Keweenaw Peninsula area you could be gone all day, every
day, exploring also. And did I mention how much I love
being right on Lake Superior??? |
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