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Truck/Trailer parking Michigan's Northern Inland Waterway

 
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Forfun1960



Joined: 25 Oct 2010
Posts: 47
City/Region: Carmi
State or Province: IL
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Journey former Noro Lim
Photos: Journey
PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:06 pm    Post subject: Truck/Trailer parking Michigan's Northern Inland Waterway Reply with quote

Want to visit Michigan Inland Waterway and explore Lake Huron. Looking for advice for parking truck and trailer for a week or two?
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Donnie Wilson
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gulfcoast john



Joined: 14 Dec 2012
Posts: 989
City/Region: PENSACOLA
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
Photos: CAT O' MINE
PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Want to visit Michigan Inland Waterway and explore Lake Huron. Looking for advice for parking truck and trailer for a week or two?
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Donnie Wilson


Hi Donnie,

We have met and talked to dozens of experienced Loopers who declared that the Georgian Bay area of lower Lake Huron, and the Canadian Small Boat Inside Passage there were the very best parts of the 6,000 mile Loop.

We agree it is spectacular. We scouted the area by car and float plane in 2018. It is beautiful beyond words, but very rocky with unforgiving navigation. It took us 3 days just to hike the main trails on Beausoleil Island, which is most all national park. The Honey Harbor marina cottage we stayed at would have allowed rig storage, but had a ramp not adequate for a Tom Cat, though another ramp nearby would have worked.

Another option with 2 weeks could be to explore the Trent-Severn waterway 1-way if you could make 17 miles a day (now open). The Peterborough Lift Lock and Big Chute marine railway are really cool.

Most Loopers enter Trent Severn Lock #45 after entering at Trenton and some after doing the 1,000 mile detour Triangle Loop of historic New York and Canadian Canals like the Rideuau (which we circled last summer).

The downside is that both are in Canada, and both borders are still closed for who knows how long and whether one or both could close again with you on the wrong side.

We may cruise the western Erie Canal in NY starting at Pirates Cove marina past lock E-24 after July 4. That was our put in and take out last year and owner Paul has rig parking for a reasonable daily cost. I don’t recall the cost, but a 3 liter box of wine was $36 and E0 gas was $6/gal. Lock E-19 is down until estimated Aug 10 and Finger Lakes (Cayuga and Seneca) lock CS 2&3 down until Aug 3. But you can reach them by trailering to them directly.

I’m not sure what you mean by the “Michigan Inland Waterway”. Did you mean Green Bay? Boaters told us that there are marinas on the East and West sides of Lake Michigan (mostly West winds with a lot of fetch so you may want to stay West).

I hope Colby posts here, as he is local and has prior experience in the Asptole Islands (but that’s Lake Superior, and I’ve not heard of them referred to as an inside passage). His pic of his MFD showing 34 degrees for Lake Superior water in mid July is enough for us to know we will never go there!

Parking your rig is another matter.
We have found that calling a family owned marina near your take-out point works best. Find a marina on Active Captain, switch to satellite view to check for trailer parking, then call using their web site for more info. The answer may be that
‘Uncle John has a spot’
To “he died last week”
So be flexible!

I can only justify my total failure to answer your question as that no one else did either. We’ve never cruised Lake Michigan, but maybe one of these other options could work for you.

Get on the boat!
John

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John and Eileen Highsmith
2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
Yamaha F150, LXF150


Last edited by gulfcoast john on Sat Jun 06, 2020 9:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Barry Rietz



Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 409
City/Region: Sierra Vista
State or Province: AZ
PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 9:26 pm    Post subject: State of Michigan Reply with quote

Donnie, You may want to obtain a copies of these two waterway travel guides to assist in planning your Michigan adventure!

http://www.michigandnr.com/Publications/PDFS/RecreationCamping/boating/harbor_guide_small.pdf

The Michigan Inland Waterway information is contained in this brochure that is produced and distributed by the State.

http://www.michiganwatertrails.org/trail.asp?ait=cv&cid=133

Fresh water cruising is at its best in the Great Lakes region of our beautiful Country!

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Barry Rietz
N9DXC
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
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City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
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Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

John, you have to get up to Isle Royal sometime. It is beautiful, and very remote. (Forget about cell or data service...) And as long as you don't go swimming, the water isn't all that cold. (I mean, it's liquid in the summer, rather than ice. Mr. Green ) (Just don't go this year, as it sounds like the Park is not opening this year...) I'm at a lost for what is meant by the Michingan Inland water way. Never heard that term before. I did cruise the North Shore, which I believe is the area west of the Georgian Bay waters. Places like the Benjamins, Little Current, the Pool, ... I think we would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't for the 6-8' green water we got into several days into our trip. We've seen so many places, that we just didn't find the wow factor that everyone talked about. In any case, we put in at a nice little marina in Spanish, Ontario, and were able to leave our rig parked there. We left early after finding out how seaworthy Midnight Flyer was, and spent a few days in Macinaw. The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior are very nice as well, and we may very well get back up there this summer sometime. (So many of our other plans have fizzled out with the pandemic restrictions and closures.) Likely going to head out west to Lake Powell later in August rather than east to the Erie Canal as we had originally planned. But everything is flexible right now... Colby
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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State or Province: FL
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Vessel Name: thataway
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
The Inland Waterway is a 40-mile long historic water route that begins north of Petoskey and with a series of rivers and lakes connects Conway, Oden, Alanson, Indian River, and Cheboygan to Lake Huron. A coastal route, part of the Huron Shores Blueways, connects the City of Cheboygan to Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac.


It looks as if in fair weather you could make a "loop"


We have only been thru this area by RV. One thing we really enjoyed was St. Ignace auto show--it will be on Labor Day weekend. If you are near there and like hot rods and old cars--the place to go.

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Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
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Home port: Pensacola FL
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Robert H. Wilkinson



Joined: 26 Jan 2011
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State or Province: ON
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thataway wrote:
One thing we really enjoyed was St. Ignace auto show--it will be on Labor Day weekend.


Agree! We passed this show by happenstance in 1995. We were on our way west. At that time the cars parked in the ditches along highway 75 - for miles! I remember meeting a biker on his way there that had a V8 powered trike. Normally the show is end of June - postponed this year due to covid.

We also love Mackinaw - both the town and the island. The trip down the west coast of Lake Michigan is a beautiful drive as well.

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Talk to me and I will listen-- but if its not about boats or fishing all I will hear is bla,bla,bla,yada,yada,zzzzzzzz
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jannie



Joined: 10 Sep 2012
Posts: 2
City/Region: hopkins
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Tully B
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:16 pm    Post subject: Truck/trailer parking northern Michigan inland waterway Reply with quote

Jan and Lee on the Tully B. Have been cruising this area for the past 6 years and know the area well having grown up in Northern Michigan. Please feel free to give us a call at 616-293-0070 and we will be happy to advise you.
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little wing



Joined: 21 Sep 2016
Posts: 110
City/Region: Oakland
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Toots
Photos: Toots
PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We toured the inland waterway last year. Very cool trip. We used the Cheboygan County Marina ramp at the mouth of the Cheboygan river. Good spot and would use again.

Check out http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=14210

The North Channel is an annual trip for us. Magnificent. You will need more than a week. Two minimum. Three is great. Launch at Spanish.

@thataway the inland waterway come close but does not poke through to Lake Michigan. No loop possible.
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multimediasmith



Joined: 23 Aug 2021
Posts: 35
City/Region: New Orleans' Northshore
State or Province: LA
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: ENDEAVOR
Photos: ENDEAVOR
PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey to John and Eileen and Bob et al. What a coincidence... I have been researching parking on the tip of Michigan this week with the plan to cruise the North Channel of Lake Huron depending on what the Canadian Government does. The plan is to start in Cheboygan and we can hang around the American islands around there as far West as Drummond. If Canada opens up, as far as Kilarney and beyond. I've been collecting phone numbers, but haven't nailed anything down so far... I mean there's a truck stop in St. Ignace and some promising marinas in Cheboygan area.. I will paste the rough research at the end of this post. We have been figuratively "dying" in the sweltering oppressive humidity and record heat of South Louisiana and are close to desperation. Our daughter goes back to complete her 3rd year at LSU Law school mid August, so that's our target date to leave. I know some of us are in Pensacola, which is still pretty awful, so it was with delight that our collective thoughts are focusing on this area. Thanks John for the book on Isle Royale and your stories have fueled the desire to head up. With gas the price it is, we are slightly over fifty cents a mile to tow and it's 2500+ miles round trip excluding cruising fuel, but once there, the cruising grounds are only about 90 miles end to end max.
It would be terrific to cross wakes with some of y'all if we happen to.
I've completed my new huge bimini and last week I upgraded my inverter from 500 to 1,500 watts and swapped my hot plate for a nice induction model, so we're looking forward to using them.

YouTube has a LOT on this area, but this particular video is filled with practical information on support and destinations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GLyh8emCI&t=1183s

in the meantime, we can drool....

I'll keep watching the forum for bits of info.
Great minds think alike it seems.
Best to everyone.
Dale and Liz



Rough Recent Research:

ST IGNACE PARKING

St Ignace Truck Stop
917 US-2 W
Saint Ignace, MI
I-75 & Exit 344
906-643-8333 (primary)

Mackinaw parking

City info 1-800-577-3113 | 312 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701

Ferry 1-231-436-5023

Straits State Harbor fuel dock will be open May 15-Sept. 30, 2022 from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. during the 2022 call 231-436-5326


Cheboygan Michigan parking


https://www.michiganwatertrails.org › ...
Cheboygan County Boat Launch - Cheboygan River - Michigan

Cheboygan County Marina Boating Access Site

Boat ramp in Cheboygan, Michigan
WEBSITEOpen 24 hours(231) 627-4944
Developed Boat Launch on the east side of the river at the pedestrian bridge right in downtown Cheboygan. Great access to all the city amenities (hotels, ...

https://marinas.com › ... › Cheboygan
Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp

Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp, Cheboygan, MI, United States Marina. Find marina reviews, phone number, boat and yacht docks, slips, ...

https://naturalatlas.com › rivers › bo...
Boat Launches on Cheboygan River - Natural Atlas


https://outdoormichigan.org › feature
Cheboygan River - The Forks Boat Launch - Outdoor Michigan

Cheboygan River - The Forks Boat Launch ; Ramp Type: Hard surface, large watercraft ; Parking Spaces: 73 ; Fee: Recreation Passport ; Avg Air Temp: (June) 51 F° → ...

https://www.fishing.org › michigan
Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp - Fishing.org

Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp is located in Cheboygan, MI and can be located at longitude: -84.46793333 and lattitude: 45.65367222.

https://upnorthlive.com › news › local
Boating access site in Cheboygan County to close for safety reasons - WPBN

https://www.livingthetoonlife.com › ...
MI-Michigan Public & Private Boat Ramps & Launches W/Trailer Access

Our Michigan Boat Ramp & Launch lists provide you all the launch locations ... Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch - 1080 N Huron Street, Cheboygan, MI, ...

https://www.waymarking.com
Jun 23, 2013 — Cheboygan boat ramp - Cheboygan, Michigan - Boat Ramps on Waymarking.com ... Quick Description: The Ramp is on the East side of the river.

Oct 11, 2019 — Launch Ramp at Black River Marina Site Open ... Good news, as of today the improved launch ramp at the Black River ... Cheboygan, MI 49721.

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us › MRBIS
Boating Access Site Detail - MDNR's Boating Information System

Access Site Administration: Cheboygan Field Office; Contact Number: (231) 627-9578; Ramp Description: A hard-surfaced ramp, in areas of limited water depth ...

https://www.cheboyganvillagemarina.com
Cheboygan Village Marina | Dry Rack Boat Storage | Cheboygan, Michigan

The finest dry rack boat storage and valet service in northern Michigan. Conveniently located on the Cheboygan River with easy access to the Great Lakes and ...
You visited this page on 6/28/22.

Cheboygan Village Marina
123 South Main Street
Cheboygan, Michigan 49721
Phone: 231-597-8364

Uhaul
(231) 597-0312
7045 Levering Rd
Cheboygan, MI 49721

Walmart Supercenter 2100 in Cheboygan Michigan
231-627-2769


City: CHEBOYGAN. State: MI. Postal Code: 49721. Phone: 231-627-7941 (TRAVEL CENTER). # of Parking Spots: 0. # of Reserved Parking Spots: 0


Truckers Directory - Secure Trailer Drop Yard & Parking in Michigan ; JIM'S TOWING & ROAD SERVICE CO. MI 125, ALL, MONROE ; REED & HOPPES TOWING & MOBILE REPAIR ...
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multimediasmith



Joined: 23 Aug 2021
Posts: 35
City/Region: New Orleans' Northshore
State or Province: LA
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: ENDEAVOR
Photos: ENDEAVOR
PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:45 pm    Post subject: parking Reply with quote

Hey to John and Eileen and Bob et al. What a coincidence... I have been researching parking on the tip of Michigan this week with the plan to cruise the North Channel of Lake Huron depending on what the Canadian Government does. The plan is to start in Cheboygan and we can hang around the American islands around there as far West as Drummond. If Canada opens up, as far as Kilarney and beyond. I've been collecting phone numbers, but haven't nailed anything down so far... I mean there's a truck stop in St. Ignace and some promising marinas in Cheboygan area.. I will paste the rough research at the end of this post. We have been figuratively "dying" in the sweltering oppressive humidity and record heat of South Louisiana and are close to desperation. Our daughter goes back to complete her 3rd year at LSU Law school mid August, so that's our target date to leave. I know some of us are in Pensacola, which is still pretty awful, so it was with delight that our collective thoughts are focusing on this area. Thanks John for the book on Isle Royale and your stories have fueled the desire to head up. With gas the price it is, we are slightly over fifty cents a mile to tow and it's 2500+ miles round trip excluding cruising fuel, but once there, the cruising grounds are only about 90 miles end to end max.
It would be terrific to cross wakes with some of y'all if we happen to.
I've completed my new huge bimini and last week I upgraded my inverter from 500 to 1,500 watts and swapped my hot plate for a nice induction model, so we're looking forward to using them.

YouTube has a LOT on this area, but this particular video is filled with practical information on support and destinations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GLyh8emCI&t=1183s

in the meantime, we can drool....

I'll keep watching the forum for bits of info.
Great minds think alike it seems.
Best to everyone.
Dale and Liz



Rough Recent Research:

ST IGNACE PARKING

St Ignace Truck Stop
917 US-2 W
Saint Ignace, MI
I-75 & Exit 344
906-643-8333 (primary)

Mackinaw parking

City info 1-800-577-3113 | 312 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701

Ferry 1-231-436-5023

Straits State Harbor fuel dock will be open May 15-Sept. 30, 2022 from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. during the 2022 call 231-436-5326


Cheboygan Michigan parking


https://www.michiganwatertrails.org › ...
Cheboygan County Boat Launch - Cheboygan River - Michigan

Cheboygan County Marina Boating Access Site

Boat ramp in Cheboygan, Michigan
WEBSITEOpen 24 hours(231) 627-4944
Developed Boat Launch on the east side of the river at the pedestrian bridge right in downtown Cheboygan. Great access to all the city amenities (hotels, ...

https://marinas.com › ... › Cheboygan
Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp

Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp, Cheboygan, MI, United States Marina. Find marina reviews, phone number, boat and yacht docks, slips, ...

https://naturalatlas.com › rivers › bo...
Boat Launches on Cheboygan River - Natural Atlas


https://outdoormichigan.org › feature
Cheboygan River - The Forks Boat Launch - Outdoor Michigan

Cheboygan River - The Forks Boat Launch ; Ramp Type: Hard surface, large watercraft ; Parking Spaces: 73 ; Fee: Recreation Passport ; Avg Air Temp: (June) 51 F° → ...

https://www.fishing.org › michigan
Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp - Fishing.org

Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch Ramp is located in Cheboygan, MI and can be located at longitude: -84.46793333 and lattitude: 45.65367222.

https://upnorthlive.com › news › local
Boating access site in Cheboygan County to close for safety reasons - WPBN

https://www.livingthetoonlife.com › ...
MI-Michigan Public & Private Boat Ramps & Launches W/Trailer Access

Our Michigan Boat Ramp & Launch lists provide you all the launch locations ... Cheboygan County Marina & Boat Launch - 1080 N Huron Street, Cheboygan, MI, ...

https://www.waymarking.com
Jun 23, 2013 — Cheboygan boat ramp - Cheboygan, Michigan - Boat Ramps on Waymarking.com ... Quick Description: The Ramp is on the East side of the river.

Oct 11, 2019 — Launch Ramp at Black River Marina Site Open ... Good news, as of today the improved launch ramp at the Black River ... Cheboygan, MI 49721.

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us › MRBIS
Boating Access Site Detail - MDNR's Boating Information System

Access Site Administration: Cheboygan Field Office; Contact Number: (231) 627-9578; Ramp Description: A hard-surfaced ramp, in areas of limited water depth ...

https://www.cheboyganvillagemarina.com
Cheboygan Village Marina | Dry Rack Boat Storage | Cheboygan, Michigan

The finest dry rack boat storage and valet service in northern Michigan. Conveniently located on the Cheboygan River with easy access to the Great Lakes and ...
You visited this page on 6/28/22.

Cheboygan Village Marina
123 South Main Street
Cheboygan, Michigan 49721
Phone: 231-597-8364

Uhaul
(231) 597-0312
7045 Levering Rd
Cheboygan, MI 49721

Walmart Supercenter 2100 in Cheboygan Michigan
231-627-2769


City: CHEBOYGAN. State: MI. Postal Code: 49721. Phone: 231-627-7941 (TRAVEL CENTER). # of Parking Spots: 0. # of Reserved Parking Spots: 0


Truckers Directory - Secure Trailer Drop Yard & Parking in Michigan ; JIM'S TOWING & ROAD SERVICE CO. MI 125, ALL, MONROE ; REED & HOPPES TOWING & MOBILE REPAIR ...
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great video and appears to be a wonderful area. Unfortunately Marie and my cruising days are over. Marie gets a new new the first week of August, so even RV trips may be off this year.

On the Weather front--our main AC was done in by a nearby lightning strike, and we are without (except a portable near the living room sofas) and our split in the master suite. 94* outside and a balmy 83* in the living room...So we sure do wish we were there...

Enjoy!
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