Anchorage in Trout Bay

[Discovery]

Need a little info. 2013 will be the second year with the mid-cabin and the Wife and I will be making a trip to Munising. This past season found us running afowl of the State Parks cops because we were parking with the trailer overnight without paying a 'boat camping' fee. We did have the State pass on the plate tab. Now down state overnight parking has not been a problem, but when we spent time around Indian River and Higgins lake it was. To be short, if we anchor in Trout Bay would we find we needed to pay a 'boat camping' fee to the National Park service?

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Need a little info. 2013 will be the second year with the mid-cabin and the Wife and I will be making a trip to Munising. This past season found us running afowl of the State Parks cops because we were parking with the trailer overnight without paying a 'boat camping' fee. We did have the State pass on the plate tab. Now down state overnight parking has not been a problem, but when we spent time around Indian River and Higgins lake it was. To be short, if we anchor in Trout Bay would we find we needed to pay a 'boat camping' fee to the National Park service?

NO boat camping fee, only the $5.00 ramp fee at the city launch.
We live in Munising and anchor in Trout Bay for the weekend regularly, our favorite area to stay. We always go the the Trout Bay side because nobody is usually over there. We pay no fees or have any problems with the Park service.
You only need the Grand Island permits if you are actually camping on the island itself.
Most of the locals spend their overnight weekends in well protected Murray Bay where there is a park picnic table/grill area. If you are planning on using any campfire areas, picnic tables, etc. there is an island boat permit available.

The anchored picture of our 270DA in my avatar above and signature below is actually in Trout Bay - have a great time when you do come up here.

 

[Discovery]

Good news, thanks KC_Sundancer. Can you give me any information on Huron Bay in regard to just the pleasure of it? I don't know if you have been around Skanee for boating but I have a sense of the area from camping and 4 wheeling. It would be the second leg of the trip. I don't think I want to be out in Keweena Bay. Huron bay looks good if weather comes up and closer to the Huron Islands anyway.

 

[Woody]

Discovery, are you going to trailer over to Huron Bay or boat. It's about 95 miles by boat. Once you get down in there it's only a mile or so wide and there's really not much to see or do. If your trailering I'd recommend putting in at Houghton/Hancock. Depending on winds you can go out on either the north shore or south. If it's real bad you have many miles of inland water to explore. You can still run over to the Huron Islands from there. Just have to watch the weather. I used to do it often in my 200Select BR. You have a lot of options on the Keweenaw Peninsula. When do you plan to do your trip? Mid July thru August is usually the best for water temps and winds.

 

[Discovery]

Discovery, are you going to trailer over to Huron Bay or boat. It's about 95 miles by boat. Once you get down in there it's only a mile or so wide and there's really not much to see or do. If your trailering I'd recommend putting in at Houghton/Hancock. Depending on winds you can go out on either the north shore or south. If it's real bad you have many miles of inland water to explore. You can still run over to the Huron Islands from there. Just have to watch the weather. I used to do it often in my 200Select BR. You have a lot of options on the Keweenaw Peninsula. When do you plan to do your trip? Mid July thru August is usually the best for water temps and winds.

Hey Woody,

I will be trailering. I camp on the boat whether on water or land. Not too worried about nothing to do. That is the way I like it and Huron Bay looked quiet. Google Earth shows that the bay has a lot of beach area and not built up. For sure, I have no idea if the beaches are soft or mucky. I would like to boat around Houghton/Hancock, but I have to put a limit somewhere on how much more I want to drive. As for the planned dates I am looking at the second or third week of August. August has always seemed the best for spending time on the shores of Superior. I have also been thinking turning east at St. Ignace rather than west as I have always done. There does seem to be a lot of boating options heading over there. I am just not familiar with that area.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Woody]

Abbaye Peninsula shore is mostly rock and the east side of Huron bay has the decent sand. Pretty much south of the Huron Islands is the mouth of the Huron River. From there it's sand all along down into the bay. Where the Huron River dumps into the lake is a good beach and swimming area because the river water warms things up a little. You'd be driving through L'anse I would think. Houghton/Hancock is only about 20 miles farther from L'anse than Skanee is. Feel free if you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.