Known for its rugged and snowy charm, Michigan also sits on the shores of four of the Great Lakes. Nicknamed "The Wolverine State" after the mascot used by the University of Michigan, the state offers fun year-round. You'll find big cities including Grand Rapids and Detroit, as well as smaller towns like Warren and Sterling Heights that offer amenities for travelers. There is also the Upper Peninsula, which locals refer to as the U.P., that lets you get back to basics.
Popular RV rentals in Michigan include large fifth-wheel travel trailers. These rentals often have one large bed in the back and a smaller bed over the hitch. You may even find some with a bed hidden inside the couch. Most rent for around $175 a night. There are also many standard travel trailers available to rent in Michigan. Some are large enough that they can accommodate up to 10 people across five or more beds. You'll pay around $150 a night to rent a travel trailer in Michigan. There are Class C motorhomes available for travelers who won't want to worry about towing another vehicle. You can explore all that Michigan has to offer in a motorhome for $200 or more per night.
One of the top places to stay in Michigan is Detroit, where visitors can watch the Lions, Tigers, or Pistons play. Detroit is the home of Motown and the Motown Mansion where Berry Gordy once lived. The former home of the record label is now a museum.
Grands Rapids is another large city and sits close to the Grand River. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is one of the state's largest museums and has thousands of artifacts on display and in its archives. I-96 runs east and west across Michigan and offers easy access to the city.
Not far away from Detroit is Sterling Heights, which you can reach via M-59 or M-53. M-53 also takes travelers to “The Thumb” of the U.P. Lakeside Mall is one of the city's top attractions and has dozens of stores and restaurants.
Warren is also close to Detroit and is the biggest suburb of that city. I-696 helps you get around Warren and connects to M-53, which runs through the heart of the city.
At RVshare, our pick for the top national park in Michigan is Isle Royale National Park. It sits on an isolated island far removed from the big cities in the state. Located on Lake Superior, the park has three ferries that take visitors back and forth between the island and the mainland. You also have the option of flying in via seaplane. Though you cannot bring vehicles into the park, you don't need your car because all of the sites are within walking distance. There are countless opportunities for canoeing and kayaking and scuba diving and fishing. Isle Royale National Park also has some hiking trails around the Rock Harbor and Wendigo areas.
The Wolverine State has both recreation areas and state parks, including Proud Lake Recreation Area with 4,700 acres of land. Up to 24 people can stay in the group camp area, but there is also a campground with more than 100 sites for RVs. Rifle River Recreation Area has so many things to do that you may want to stay for longer than a day. The park has miles of streams where trout splash and three ponds in between seven lakes.
You don't need to worry about seeing the headless horseman at Sleepy Hollow State Park because it is a quiet and peaceful park that is open year-round. During the winter season, it offers cross-country trails and ice fishing. Hiking and bird-watching are popular during the warmer seasons. At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, you have the chance to explore the U.P. all year. The park has hiking trails that become cross-country skiing trails and lots of places to see the leaves change.
The Tawas Point Lighthouse is one of the attractions in Tawas Point State Park. This lighthouse is the only one of its type on the Great Lakes and is close to fishing and other activities. At Van Buren State Park — named for the U.S. president — you'll find easy access to Lake Superior and a beach designed just for dogs. Boats are allowed on the park's lake.
Michigan is also home to Wells State Park, which is one of the only state parks on the National Register of Historic Places. Green Bay inside the park offers both fishing and swimming. At 8,000 acres, Wilderness State Park has lots of space for hiking trails and fishing spots. You can hunt during the season with a permit, too.
Both southern Michigan and the U.P. have tons of campgrounds, including White River RV Park & Campground. This Montague campground is close to Lake Michigan and Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park. You'll find full hookups that are close to a swimming pool and multiple hiking trails. At Harbortown RV Resort in Monroe, guests can use the miniature golf course, go-kart track, and swimming pool. The campground hosts special weekend events in the summer, including those that let you compete in cook-offs or try sweet treats from local shops.
Lake Shore RV Resort & Campground by Outdoor Adventures is in the heart of Michigan's Irish Hills region, which has amusement parks and other attractions for families. All of the 95 sites have full hookups and are close to the campground's beach. If you prefer swimming pools, the park has multiple pools that are close to a sauna and hot tub and a water park. Many travelers head to Holland State Park Beach Campground in Holland for summer camping. The beach has multiple lifeguards on duty and a concession stand along with a changing room with bathrooms. A sand volleyball court sits right on the beach, too.
Whether you stay in Detroit or head to the U.P., it's easy to find Michigan dump stations. The Westland Truck & Car Wash in Westland is a good place to stop because it has an RV washing station. You can also fill your propane tank and grab some fuel. Hilltop RV Superstore in Ishpeming is open daily except for Sundays. The store charges a small fee to use the dump station and stocks tons of parts and supplies for RVs. Don't forget to look for dump stations in Michigan parks and campgrounds such as Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven.
Annual Halloween Festival: Celebrate Halloween in style this October in South Higgins Lake State Park. It has trick-or-treat events for kids and pumpkin decorating contests along with spooky tours of the woods.
Electric Forest: Thousands of people come to the Wolverine State in June for Electric Forest. It features electronic music and lots of artwork.
FireKeepers Casino 400: NASCAR drivers head to Michigan in August to compete in this race at the Michigan International Speedway. There is on-site camping and opportunities to meet your favorite racers.
Motor Bella: Known as the top car show in the Wolverine State, this show takes place in September. It gives you the chance to see classic cars and new designs from manufacturers around the world.
Faster Horses Country Festival: Fans of country music head to Brooklyn every year for this three-day music festival. Michigan International Speedway offers on-site camping for the event festival and has trams to take visitors to the different stages.
Grand Rapids Bourbon Fest: Try some of the top bourbons in the country at this September festival. The festival showcases more than 100 brands from more than 30 local shops.
Fort Fright: Keep your eyes peeled for ghosts at Fort Fright in Mackinaw City. The old fort becomes a haunted house filled with actors and scares around every corner.
One of the top landmarks in Michigan is the Quincy Mine, just outside of Hancock in the U.P. It sits on top of old copper mines used for nearly 100 years. It features a steam hoist and other artifacts inside the on-site museum, and visitors love exploring the fun, small-town college vibe of the Hancock-Houghton area.
At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you will find 40 miles of shoreline on Lake Superior surrounded by more than 70,000 acres of wilderness. Licenses are available for those who want to hunt or fish, but the hiking trails are free to use and don't require a permit. The lakeshore is also open during the winter months.
Tahquamenon Falls feature 200-foot waterfalls with a 50-foot drop. Though you may want to spend some time looking at the falls, there are also hiking trails and skiing trails, as well as multiple campgrounds, in the surrounding state park. You can also visit the Soo Locks, which are close to the Michigan border with Canada. The locks have boat tours that let you get close to the paths used by ships in the past.
On average expect to pay $149 per night in Michigan.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Michigan?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Michigan from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Michigan?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
Do you need a special license to drive an RV in Michigan?No. You don’t need a special license or CDL to drive an RV in Michigan.
