Western Michigan's Scenic Coast and M22
Updated: 2 days ago
If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet. – Anon
Michigan's Scenic West Coast including M22 is a destination rich in natural beauty, small-town charm, maritime history, and outdoor recreation. From sandy beaches and scenic drives to historic villages and welcoming campgrounds, the Lake Michigan shoreline offers something for nearly every traveler.
When most people think of Michigan, they think of water. For me, it's the trees. Towering pines and hardwood forests give much of the state its deep green character. Those forests also shaped Michigan's history, fueling a logging industry that supplied lumber to a growing nation.
That heritage can still be experienced throughout the state. One excellent example is Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling, where visitors can explore recreated logging camps, historic equipment, and exhibits that tell the story of Michigan's lumber era. While not part of our West Coast journey, it is worth placing on your future travel list.
The logging industry also played a significant role in another Michigan tradition: Christmas trees. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, trees harvested in Michigan were shipped by boat to Chicago, where families lined the docks to purchase them. The story of one such vessel, lost during a storm on Lake Michigan in 1911, inspired the musical The Christmas Tree Ship. The fascinating history adds another layer to the culture and character of Michigan's shoreline communities.
Taking the Wonder West
We spend much of our summer at our cottage on Michigan's Sunrise Coast along Lake Huron. When our daughter needed the cottage for visiting family friends, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to put our new RV, a Leisure Travel Vans Wonder Rear Lounge, through its paces.
Planning the trip proved more challenging than expected. Campgrounds along Michigan's West Coast were packed, and it seemed that everyone and their brother had taken up RVing. After a persistent search, we finally secured a site at a newer campground near Manistee.
To simplify logistics, our son-in-law met us partway home and drove the Wonder to Grand Rapids, where we made the switch and began our adventure.
Our traveling companion was Sasha, our aging Australian Shepherd rescue. This was her first motorhome trip. While her sore hips made the RV stairs a bit challenging, and she insisted on napping in the most-used walkway, she adapted quickly and proved to be a wonderful traveling companion.
The only campground we could find with availability turned out to be one of the pleasant surprises of the trip.
Camping at The Bluffs on Manistee Lake
The Bluffs on Manistee Lake sits high above the lake and near the town of Manistee. Its location proved ideal as a central base for exploring the region. The campground features paved roads, full hookups, concrete pads, and spacious sites that provide plenty of room between neighbors.
Part of this carefully planned development includes a collection of attractive retirement
homes located on the rear portion of the property. The campground itself caters to guests aged fifty-five and older, creating a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful evenings.
The spacious clubhouse serves as a gathering place for campers and hosts frequent activities, including game nights, carry-in dinners, and community events. During our stay, guests enjoyed a dinner followed by karaoke. A swimming pool, jacuzzi, and pickleball court add to the amenities.
Although the landscaping is still maturing, it is obvious that considerable thought has gone into the design of the property. In just a few years, the growing trees and shrubs will make an already attractive campground even more appealing.
Most importantly, we found the management exceptionally friendly and helpful throughout our visit.
Each morning we unplugged and headed out for a day of exploration. Each evening we returned to enjoy outdoor meals on our concrete patio. Many campers spent their evenings walking, cycling, or socializing around the park. The quiet atmosphere was one of the aspects we enjoyed most.
Discovering Manistee
Our first outing was to nearby Manistee.
The city has weathered recent years well and continues to offer a vibrant downtown filled with locally owned businesses housed within a historic district. We spent several enjoyable hours browsing shops, chatting with merchants, and learning more about the area's history.
One memorable stop occurred when a sudden downpour sent us seeking shelter in a local store. What began as a short escape from the rain turned into an hour-long conversation with the owner about Manistee, tourism, and life along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The downtown area also offers a surprising number of quality dining options. We enjoyed lunch in one of the historic buildings along the main street before continuing our exploration.
Manistee's Riverwalk provides views of recreational boats and fishermen enjoying the Manistee River as it approaches Lake Michigan. While the setting has potential, we felt some additional landscaping and maintenance would improve the visitor experience. Even so, the downtown district alone makes Manistee a worthwhile stop.
Ludington and the SS Badger
One of our favorite day trips took us south on US-31 to Ludington, about 45 minutes from our campground. Ludington is best known as the home port of the SS Badger, the last coal-fired passenger steamship operating in the United States and a designated National Historic Landmark.
The Badger carries passengers, vehicles, motorcycles, and RVs across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, providing a scenic alternative to driving around the southern end of the lake. Watching the ship arrive and depart is an attraction in itself. We hope to make the crossing in the Wonder on a future trip.
A Relaxing Afternoon at the Beach
Although downtown Ludington appeared every bit as inviting as Manistee, our destination for the day was Stearns Park Beach on Lake Michigan.
Located at the western end of town, Stearns Park offers one of Michigan's premier public beaches. Ample parking, concession areas, picnic facilities, and paved walkways make it an easy place to spend an afternoon. Our goal was simple: relax, enjoy the scenery, and watch the world go by.
The wide sandy beach stretches for nearly half a mile, with the Ludington lighthouse providing a picturesque backdrop. Families played in the surf, couples strolled the shoreline, and beachgoers settled in for a classic Michigan summer day.
One feature we particularly appreciate about our Wonder RL is its compact 24.9-foot length. The smaller footprint allows us to fit comfortably into parking areas that would challenge many larger motorhomes. With the roof vents open and the fans running, we enjoyed a pleasant breeze while relaxing inside the coach and taking in the beach scene.
It was an unhurried afternoon, the kind that reminds you why road trips are so enjoyable.
Back at The Bluffs that evening, we prepared dinner using our trusty Lotus Grill. The compact tabletop charcoal grill has become one of our favorite pieces of camping equipment. It uses only a small amount of lump charcoal, heats quickly, and is remarkably easy to clean. For RV travelers who enjoy outdoor cooking, it has earned a permanent place in our gear lineup.
Historic White Pine Village
The following day brought one of the highlights of our trip.
We had heard excellent reviews of Historic White Pine Village, located south of Ludington, and it exceeded our expectations.
This carefully designed outdoor museum portrays life in western Michigan during the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Unlike many historic villages that feel overly staged, White Pine Village presents homes, businesses, and public buildings in ways that make them look genuinely lived in. Many displays give the impression that the occupants simply stepped outside for a few moments.
Adding to the authenticity is the fact that many of the structures were relocated from communities around the region. The centerpiece of the village is the 1849 Mason County Courthouse, listed on the State Register of Historic Places.
As we wandered through the village, we explored homes, churches, workshops, retail establishments, and public buildings that collectively tell the story of early Michigan life. Several sites featured interpreters dressed in period clothing who shared stories about the buildings and their former occupants.
antique red tractor
The attention to detail throughout the village is exceptional. White Pine Village is more than a collection of historic buildings. It is a thoughtfully assembled snapshot of everyday life from another era.
For anyone interested in history, architecture, photography, or local culture, this attraction deserves a place near the top of the itinerary.
After our visit, we followed a winding road toward the Lake Michigan shoreline and stopped at the Pierre Marquette Memorial. The impressive monument honors the French missionary and explorer whose travels helped shape the history of the Great Lakes region.
Driving Michigan's Scenic M-22
Our final full day took us north on one of the Midwest's most celebrated scenic highways: M-22.
Just north of Manistee, we turned west and began a journey through small towns, lakeshore vistas, rolling farmland, and some of the most beautiful scenery in Michigan.
The appeal of M-22 isn't found at a single destination. Rather, it is the combination of charming communities, local businesses, panoramic overlooks, and lake views that make the drive memorable.
One of our favorite stops was the Arcadia area.
Golf enthusiasts recognize Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course as one of the premier golfing destinations in the country. Even for non-golfers like me, the property is impressive. The combination of dramatic terrain, elegant architecture, and spectacular Lake Michigan views makes it worth a stop.
Just north of the course, the Arcadia Overlook offers sweeping views high above the shoreline. Visitors from across the country gather here to photograph the scenery and simply absorb the beauty of the lakeshore.
Continuing north, we stopped in the small town of Elberta, where we spent time browsing the eclectic Elberta Mercantile Company. The store's mix of antiques, collectibles, and unexpected treasures makes it an entertaining stop even if you're not looking for anything specific.
Lunch that day took us to the Lighthouse Cafe, a local favorite that attracts both residents and returning visitors. The food was excellent, and we enjoyed sampling Great Lakes Potato Chips, another Michigan favorite that quickly earned our approval.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Eventually we reached our primary objective for the day: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center provides an outstanding introduction to the area's history, geology, and natural beauty. Judging by the crowded parking lot, we were not alone in wanting to experience one of Michigan's premier natural attractions.
Although we did not visit the dunes themselves on this trip, we have explored them on previous visits and strongly recommend doing so if time allows.
The massive dunes rising above Lake Michigan create one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Midwest. They are beautiful, but visitors should not underestimate their size.
On one previous visit, we watched children joyfully race down a towering dune to the shoreline hundreds of feet below. Later, when it was time to return to the car, reality set in. Every step upward was followed by some degree of sliding backward in the sand. What had been an exciting descent became a long, exhausting climb.
Families visiting the dunes should allow extra time and energy for the return trip.
After leaving Sleeping Bear Dunes, we returned to The Bluffs via US-31, bringing another enjoyable day of exploration to a close.
Reflections on Michigan's West Coast
Michigan's West Coast offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty, maritime history, welcoming communities, and outdoor recreation. Whether you're wandering the streets of Manistee, watching the SS Badger arrive in Ludington, stepping back in time at White Pine Village, driving scenic M-22, or admiring the majesty of Sleeping Bear Dunes, you'll find an abundance of memorable experiences.
For RV travelers, the region is especially rewarding. The distances between destinations are manageable, the scenery is consistently impressive, and every community seems to have its own unique story.
Our week along Lake Michigan left us with a deeper appreciation for this corner of the Great Lakes. We know we'll be back to discover even more as we continue our travels and hope to meet you . . . Along the Pooka Trail.
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Pooka Trail Notes
📍 Destination: Michigan's West Coast (Manistee, Ludington, M-22 & Sleeping Bear Dunes)
🚐 Campground: The Bluffs on Manistee Lake
✅ RV-Friendly: Spacious sites, full hookups, concrete pads, paved roads, and easy access to regional attractions.
🏆 Trip Highlights:
Historic White Pine Village
Stearns Park Beach
SS Badger Ferry
Arcadia Overlook
M-22 Scenic Highway
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
📸 Photography Opportunities:
Lake Michigan sunsets
Historic downtown Manistee
White Pine Village architecture
Arcadia Overlook panoramas
SS Badger arrivals and departures
Sleeping Bear Dunes landscapes
🍽️ Favorite Stops:
Lighthouse Cafe in Elberta
Downtown Manistee restaurants
Beachfront picnic areas in Ludington
⏱️ Recommended Stay: 4-6 days to comfortably explore the region.
⚠️ Planning Tip: Summer campground reservations can fill many months in advance. Book early if traveling during peak season.
🐾 Sasha's Review: Friendly campgrounds, plenty of scenic drives, and lots of opportunities for naps between adventures.
🐾 Pooka's Take: Western Michigan combines shoreline beauty, fascinating history, welcoming communities, and outstanding RV travel opportunities. It's one of those destinations that quietly exceeds expectations and leaves you planning your return before you've even packed up camp.
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