Straits State Park – Camping and Great Views of the Mackinac Bridge
When it comes to Upper Peninsula state parks in Michigan, few are as popular or as easy to get to as Straits State Park in St. Ignace. Located in close proximity to Mackinaw City, Fort Michlimiackinac, the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island and historic downtown St. Ignace, this park is the perfect place to set up camp for a weekend or week-long family vacation.
The park offers more than 250 modern campsites and 15 semi-modern waterfront sites. Restroom buildings offer showers with hot water and other amenities, centrally located throughout the campground loops. Sites 77A-86A and 1A, 18A and 4A-10A are waterfront sites that offer amazing views of Lake Huron and Mackinac Bridge, more than making up for their lack of electric hookups.
A hiking trail connects the upper and lower campgrounds, and one of its endpoints is at an overlook platform that offers great views of the Mackinac Bridge. There is a parking area for those that wish to drive up to the lookout, and several picnic tables for those wishing to take a lunch break. The park also offers a group camping area, a couple mini cabins and several playgrounds.
Straits State Park also includes the Father Marquette National Memorial on the west side of I-75. This site includes a wooden pavilion honoring the life and journeys of Father Jacques Marquette, as well as a nature trail and several overlooks with views of the Mackinac Bridge.
Straits State Park is open April 3 – November 29 as weather permits. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry to the park and/or the Marquette Memorial. Reservations can be made online at www.michigan.gov/stateparks. Day trips from this park can include: Tahquamenon Falls State Park (80 miles), Oswald’s Bear Ranch (70 miles), Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Locks (50 miles), Whitefish Point Lighthouse and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (75 miles), GarLyn Zoo (36 miles) and the Big Spring Kitch-iti-kipi at Palms Book State Park (98 miles).
