I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Virginia may have big lakes but definitely not as big as our Great Lakes here in Michigan. While I could adjust well to Virginia’s milder climate, especially in the winter, I would not trade it for the water wonderland I am blessed to explore in the Pure Michigan summers. Honestly, our winters are not that bad considering in recent years, the bitter cold months are only in:

• December
• January
• February

Even then, December hardly sees significant snowfall anymore. In fact, I cannot remember the last time we had a “White Christmas”. Fall is also my favorite time of year in Michigan as we continue to have warm weather, and I haven’t seen snow on Halloween in more than a decade. Shoot, I haven’t put the heat on until November in recent years!

Come March, we start to get those teaser days with temperatures rising to sixty, sometimes seventy degrees. Sure, “Sometimes it Snows in April,” but not lately, and by the time May rolls around, it’s full-on warm weather.

Okay, back to Virginia…

Some big lakes, according to Virginia’s official travel and tourism website, “Virginia’s lakes offer the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors, with exciting aquatic activities ranging from fishing to water skiing.

• Smith Mountain Lake—Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania
• Lake Gaston—Bracey
• Lake Anna—Louisa
• Philpott Lake—Franklin, Henry, and Patrick
• Buggs Island/John H. Kerr Reservoir—Clarksville
• Sherando Lake—Lyndhurst
• Claytor Lake—Dublin
• Hungry Mother Lake—Marion
• Lake Fairfax—Reston
• Douthat Lake—Millboro,”.

My aunt, who lived in North Carolina for the last twenty-five years, moved to Virginia to live on Lake Gaston and is currently enjoying the lake living experience. Although it does look beautiful, and I will visit sometime soon, I adore residing in the Lakes Area of Oakland County, Michigan with lake life at its finest.

(Photo Credit: Virginia is for Lovers: Lake Gaston)

Best inland lake boating Michigan

As we established earlier in this article, Virginia does have amazing lakes for recreation, including boating. In fact, I would love to rent a home, bring my son’s Four Winns fish and ski boat, do some boating, and spend time meeting up with family on Lake Gaston.

However, I do not have to travel out of the Mitten State, as some of the best inland lakes to boat on, in my opinion, are Torch Lake, Higgins Lake, Silver Lake, Lake St. Claire, Hamlin Lake, and countless other smaller inland lakes located closer to where I have lived in Southeast Michigan, such as the following, but not limited to:

• Union Lake
• Oxbow Lake
• Orchard Lake
• Wolverine Lake
• Pontiac Lake
• Lower Straights
• Cooley Lake
• Big Portage
• Zukey Lake

One of my favorite spots that I have explored in Northern Michigan (aka Up North) was the Michigan Inland Waterway. It is a 40-mile boatable chain with Indian River connecting Mullett Lake and Burt Lake, which then feeds into the Cheboygan River, leading out to Lake Huron. My ex-husband’s Uncle Cass lived on Indian River with a Boston Whaler, the perfect boat to take this trip on.

Michigan summers are not just for boating – for me, it’s the best season to do a lot of camping. Fall is a great time as well, but it’s a little chilly to swim in any of the Great Lakes.

Where is the best summer destination in Michigan?

For years, I have been able to see many camping destinations in beautiful Pure Michigan, with most of them being near or on a body of water. Here are some of my favorites:

• Lake Michigan
• Lake Erie
• Rifle River
• Lake Huron
• Portage Lake (on the Chain of Lakes)
• Houghton Lake
• Lake St Helen
• Indian River
• Burt Lake
• Mullet Lake
• Black Lake
• Carp Lake
• Lake Superior
• Huron Manistee Forest in Oscoda, on the Au Sable River
• Manistee National Forest, Manistee, footsteps from Lake Michigan
• Ludington State Park, on the shores of Lake Michigan
• Lakeport State Park, on the shores of Lake Huron
• Proud Lake State Park, on the Huron River (close to home)
• Seven Lakes State Park, for Halloween camping (close to home)
• Algonac State Park, on the shores of Lake Huron (great pier fishing)
• Burt Lake State Park, on Burt Lake
• Mears State Park
• Silver Lake Sand Dunes
• My best friend’s cottage in Millington on Murphy Lake
• Elberta Beach, Lake Michigan
• Huron River
• Bestie River
• Rifle River
• Pine River
• Mackinaw Island
• Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground (one of the rare few private campgrounds I am willing to camp at!)
• Standish, Outdoor Adventures (another private campground I like)

As you might have noticed, I have had the good fortune of camping near or off of four out of five Great Lakes as well as many rivers and inland lakes alike. See why I have no desire to travel to any other destinations outside of Michigan in the summer?

Great Lakes beach camping, according to the National Park Service, has “Drive-In Camping at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

All campsites, including wheelchair-accessible sites, require a reservation. There is no drop-in camping. Camping fees are $25 per night per campsite.

All campgrounds require a reservation. There is no drop-in camping.

Campgrounds are open from May 15 through October 15. After October 15th, water systems and toilets are shut down.

Camping anywhere outside designated campgrounds is not allowed.

Overnight car camping (sleeping in vehicles) in parking lots is not allowed.

No overflow camping allowed. No beach camping allowed.

Campgrounds Overview

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has three rustic drive-in campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake (8 sites), Twelve Mile Beach (36 sites), and Hurricane River (21 sites).

Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill grate, and tent pad.

The campgrounds have vault toilets and well water.

Tent-style enclosures for campsite portable toilets are strictly prohibited.

Campgrounds do not have electric, water, or sewer hookups. Typically there is no cell phone reception.

Biting insects are very common from late May through early September. Don’t let flies ruin your experience! Bring long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and insect repellant,”.

Biggest lakes in Virginia

In conclusion, Virginia’s lakes are beautiful, but Michigan’s endless waterways, camping spots, and summer memories make it tough to beat this Pure Michigan lifestyle.