Camping at silverlake Sand Dunes
I’ve never tent camped before let alone with 3 kids, here is how it went!
My mom and step dad are newly retired but have been camping for years now, are crazy organized, very type A people in general, so they are on top of things when it comes to booking campgrounds. I guess some most campgrounds open up their books 6 months and some 9 months in advance and you have to book right away to get a spot, let alone a spot you want. We booked ours right at the 6 month mark, per their recommendation.
If video is more your thing over reading, you can watch the video below otherwise keep reading.
The last 2 years when we went camping with them we stayed at these little log cabins that the parks had (yes, even 35 weeks pregnant and it RAINING caterpillars I camped) and while its been great it’s actually pretty small for 2 adults and 2 kids and all the stuff you bring with you to “survive” so I said “let’s book a site and use a tent this time.” For some reason I felt like no one thought I would actually tent camp but I’m here to tell you not only did I do it, I had FUN and would 100% do it again and again.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work to pack up a bunch of stuff just to eat and sleep outside (that’s really what it is right lol) but it was a lot of fun! We had the best weather and there was virtually no bugs so it was pretty heavenly.
WHERE we STAYed:
We booked a site at Sandy Shores Campground & Resort in Mears, Michigan. The camp spots were huge compared to the Ludington campground that they had just stayed at the week before.
WHAT TO DO:
There are places all over to rent ORV (off roading vehicles) but you have to reserve those in advance from what I read. Plus Sky and Jude wouldn’t be down for that so we did a family ride and tour at Mac Wood’s Dune ride (see video above for reference) it was AWESOME and so fun for all ages! Along with dune buggy rental, you can also rent scooters, bikes, canoes, paddle boards, and so many other fun things.
One day called for rain in the area so we headed an hour north to Ludington and went on a hike at the state park there. The weather was perfect up until we were leaving and it started to rain so we really lucked out!
Another day we went and spent the morning at Craig’s Cruisers where we raced cars, ziplined, road rollercoasters and played a game of mini golf. We left after eating some lunch at the restaurant there to go back and to the campsite and relax. It was starting to get really busy so I highly suggest going in the morning to avoid lines and the heat!
There is a lighthouse about 5 minutes away with a great little beach that didn’t seem crowded both times we went. Granted, we went in the evening both days but it wasn’t jam packed either night. If ice cream is your thing (whose isn’t?!) there is a place called Whippy Dip right down the street and on the way to the lighthouse that we snagged one night. It has a lot of seating a playground and was crazy crowded.
WHAT WE ATE:
We brought 2 coolers and had them stocked with ice that we replenished and then filled with drinks a little milk for cereal, fruit, lunch meat, cheese and even frozen pizza and salmon to grill over the fire! We kept the mornings simple with cereal, bacon, fruit and my mom made pancakes one day.
We snacked for lunches and ate out when we were in Ludington. For dinner we had a Mexican taco dip one night, sausage and veg over the grill another night, burgers & Salmon. We always had dessert, whether it was ice cream on the way to the lighthouse (at Whippy Dip) or down the street at the little corner store or s’mores over the fire.
Overall the trip was great, the weather couldn’t have been better and the kids seemed to really enjoy it! The location of the camp site to the beach and the downtown area where we went was all within walking distance which was very convenient too. Excited to see where we go next year together!