40 Things to Do While Fall Camping in Michigan

Autumn in Michigan lasts about six weeks — just 40 or so days (and that’s if you’re actually moving with the colors, from north to south). One of the best ways to enjoy the fall season is to get out and enjoy one of Michigan’s purest activities — camping. Setting up the RV or camper or pitching the tent is just part of the fun of this quiet get-away.

There are dozens of things to do during the autumn season while camping such as:

1. Visit a farm market or u-pick orchard and discover Michigan’s harvest bounty.
(www.michiganfarmfun.com)

2. Get out on the river for a paddling adventure. (www.michigancanoe.com)

3. Take in a round of golf, where the rates, crowds, temperatures and bugs are all lower.
(www.gam.org).

4. Pedal along some of the miles and miles of linear bike trails that meander the countryside and
through small towns. Or, participate in one of the state’s biking events. (www.lmb.org)

5. Hike the backwoods trails and enjoy the quiet tranquility of the season.

6. Take a fall color tour along one of Michigan’s noted historic routes, like the M119 “Tunnel of Trees”
north of Harbor Springs to Cross Village, the US12 “Sauk Trail” which runs from New Buffalo to
Detroit or the US23 Heritage Route along the sunrise side. (Michigan Heritage Routes)

7. Bundle up for a brisk walk along the beach and watch the waves crash in along the shore.

8. Go for a horseback ride on one of the state’s equestrian trails or at a local stable.

9. Do some taste testing at one of Michigan’s 75+ wineries or 75+ craft breweries.
(www.michiganwines.com | www.michiganbrewersguild.org)

10. Take your kids to a corn maze or haunted house.

11. Set sail aboard one of the many tall ships that call the Great Lakes’ waters home.

12. See Michigan from a different perspective, with a ride in a hot air balloon, airplane or glider.

13. Visit one of the historic lighthouses that guard the Michigan shoreline. (www.gllka.com)

14. Take the family to a football game, or gather teams for a game of touch ball in the local park.

15. Seek out one of the dozen-plus covered bridges that can be found along Michigan’s backroads.
(Michigan Bridges)

16. Enjoy the fall beauty at a public garden or nature center where the autumn colors are in full view.

17. Make plans with your fellow campers to create a community garden in the spring — by prepping the space this fall.

18. Visit a local library or bookstore in search of titles by Michigan authors, in preparation for your
winter hibernation.

19. Take your adventures to the digital level – by geocaching for treasures, technologically. (www.migeocaching.org)

20. Practice your picture taking skills, then enter your photos in one of the many contests being offered
by chambers, visitor bureaus and even Travel Michigan. (http://puremichiganphotoclub.com)

21. Bake a pie or other tasty desert with fresh Michigan fruit. (Michigan Recipes)

22. Cast a line in a river or lake in search of the “big one.” (www.michigancharterboats.com |
www.michigan.gov/dnr)

23. Take in a sunrise on Lake Huron or a sunset on Lake Michigan.
(www.visitmichiganssunriseside.com | www.wmta.org)

24. Cast a line take a fall fishing excursion on one of the rivers, streams or lakes.

25. Seek out an area restaurant supporting the “farm to table” concept for a mouth-watering meal.

26. Try your hand at surfing – one of the hottest new activities on Lake Michigan.

27. Start a leaf collection – just like in school – and marvel at the colors.

28. Map a course through one of Michigan’s hundreds of “ghost towns” including Fayette, Fallasburg,
Singapore and Pere Cheney. (Ghost towns of Michigan)

29. Hop aboard your motorcycle and tour around the winding backroads around the state.

30. Look for “roadside attractions” such as Paul Bunyon, the Cross in the Woods or the giant Uniroyal
Tire near Detroit. (www.roadsideamerica.com/location/mi)

31. Enjoy the end of the season at a drive-in theater or restaurant, cuddled up under a blanket.

32. Research your family tree, by visiting area libraries and cemeteries.

33. Visit one of the 84 waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula, which are beautifully flanked by a
kaleidoscope of trees. (http://www.uptravel.com/waterfalls-of-the-u.p.-59/)

34. Create a family scrapbook of your Pure Michigan adventures from the summer of 2010.

35. Take a late-season ride along the Lake Michigan sand dunes – out of Saugatuck or Silver Lake.

36. Attend one of the many fall festivals and events being planned around the state – from art events to
harvest celebrations and car shows to historical reenactments, there’s something for everyone.
(www.michiganfun.us)

37. Scout out your fall hunting spot, and dream of bagging that big buck!

38. Make plans to try Michigan camping in the winter — where a whole new line-up of activities are
waiting to be explored.

39. Do a bit of pre-holiday shopping and enjoy post summer deals at hundreds of quaint shops and
galleries around Michigan.

40. Become a fan of Michigan Campgrounds on Facebook: www.facebook.com/michcampgrounds
No matter how you enjoy autumn, there’s a Michigan campground waiting for you to pitch a tent or pull in your camper or RV for a fall camping get-away. A list of more than 200+ campgrounds is available online at www.MichCampgrounds.com.