Thank you! I had read about Polebridge and it sounded like something we should do for sure! Thanks!Jen wrote:Hello fellow Chicagoan/Flatlander and WELCOME to the chat!
Fish creek is perfect for all the activities you've listed (woods, rocks, hikes, swimming). Lake McDonald is pretty much the same temp as swimming in Lake Michigan. (Less waves though).
Take a drive up to the Polebridge Mercantile for some pastries!
http://polebridgemerc.com/
I am sure others will chime in here but I just wanted to say Welcome!.
Awesome! Yes after I grabbed the two sites I did, I read about C-loop. I'm going to keep my eye open and see if I can shift one of my other sites to that loop, or move a third time . If you aren't staying in C-loop can you still get to the water though? Or can you only access it if you are staying in that loop. Is there any kind of "beach". I know it's probably just a rocky edge, but accessible for anyone?PeteE wrote:Yes indeed. Welcome to the GNP chat.
I agree with Jen. Fish Creek is a good choice. It's a very nice camp ground.
One thing I would suggest/recommend, especially given what you said about playing in the lake, etc.
See if you can get a spot in Loop C .
I'm assuming you aren't hauling a portable generator out here from Chicago?
No generators in Loop C.
And Loop C has some camping spaces with direct access to Lake McDonald---a matter of few yards.
If I were you I would stay put at Fish Creek UNLESS...
You secure reservations at another camp ground in advance.
The park has been experiencing record crowds the last few years.
So if along the way you decide you want to camp elsewhere in the park, or near it...
You must get reservations, in advance, imo.
You don't want to get stuck with small children and no place to stay.
Here's an old "lame video" of mine from 2010 that shows Loop A and Loop C.
I might need to update it one day
About 9 minutes
pete
I'm happy to have found this site! Thanks!dpratt wrote:Welcome from an ex-Chicagoland chatter!
Fish Creek is a nice campground, although I've only explored it, never camped there. Lots of great info on this site, along with lots of great people willing to share their experiences.
I haven't walked down to the lake from the camp ground but I believe the "beach" at Fish Creek is similar to the beach at Apgar which is gravel.Awesome! Yes after I grabbed the two sites I did, I read about C-loop. I'm going to keep my eye open and see if I can shift one of my other sites to that loop, or move a third time . If you aren't staying in C-loop can you still get to the water though? Or can you only access it if you are staying in that loop. Is there any kind of "beach". I know it's probably just a rocky edge, but accessible for anyone?
Thank you for the information! I did get a site in C-loop for two of the nights. So right now it's looking like B loop for 3 nights, A loop for 2 nights and C loop for 2 nights. AND if on that first night in A loop we just don't want to pack up and move we can cancel. I feel like by this time (2 weeks of camping) we'll be pros at setting up so it won't be a big deal. That's good to know about the dropoff at Apgar. My kids like swimming in Lake Michigan and so are used to lake swimming .PeteE wrote:I haven't walked down to the lake from the camp ground but I believe the "beach" at Fish Creek is similar to the beach at Apgar which is gravel.Awesome! Yes after I grabbed the two sites I did, I read about C-loop. I'm going to keep my eye open and see if I can shift one of my other sites to that loop, or move a third time . If you aren't staying in C-loop can you still get to the water though? Or can you only access it if you are staying in that loop. Is there any kind of "beach". I know it's probably just a rocky edge, but accessible for anyone?
The drop off at Apgar is modest so it's safe for small children imo.
I'll see if I can get some pics and video as soon as it melts out enough to get back there.
The "beach" is not restricted to "C" Loop campers. I haven't looked closely but I'm sure there is access to the lake between campsites.
We'll find out for certain. A number of members here have small children---or their children were small when they visited
pete
Thanks! We'll see how much hiking we'll be able to do. My kids are pretty little, (the youngest is only 2) they might not realize if they go on the same path every dayllholmes1948 wrote:We usually divide our time between the east side and the west side. Although the distances are not tremendous it is just much easier to do things on the east side while you are staying on the east side and vice versa. The Sun Road can be slow going so it can delay your arrival at a trailhead or other point of interest if you are staying on the opposite side. So while it is quite possible stay on one side and do things on the other side it is not preferable. I recall that during our family trip in 2001 we stayed at Whitefish and drove to Swiftcurrent/Many Glacier to hike to Iceberg Lake. We had a great time but it made for a pretty long and tiring day.
Hope you have a great trip and will post a report.
Lyman
They might actually enjoy going on the same path every day! It might be better than a long ride in the car.leahc wrote: Thanks! We'll see how much hiking we'll be able to do. My kids are pretty little, (the youngest is only 2) they might not realize if they go on the same path every day
Exactly! We are driving from Chicago so they'll probably will have had it with the car and be happy to dig in some dirt and ride their bikes. Mom and dad too!llholmes1948 wrote:They might actually enjoy going on the same path every day! It might be better than a long ride in the car.leahc wrote: Thanks! We'll see how much hiking we'll be able to do. My kids are pretty little, (the youngest is only 2) they might not realize if they go on the same path every day
Lyman