Take me to the campground, and the beach

What’s better than going to the beach in the middle of the summer – how about going to the campground and the beach?! If you’re like my family, you love camping and everything that goes with it, and in the summer that means water and lots of it.

Paddling around in a two-man raft is relaxing, especially when followed by grilling out and sitting around the fire. Fast forward to the next day – more of the same!

Or, what about splashing through the water, burying a “loved one” in the sand and building sand castles? And after you’re done, walking back to your camper, having a burger and then S’mores over the campfire? There’s no better way to go to the beach than to finish the day at the campsite and not in the traffic jam heading away from the lake.

There’s also fishing, a relaxing outing in itself. And, if you’re at the campground that means fresh fish for supper!

This summer hasn’t been as warm as many of those I remember, but we’ve found our way to Lake Michigan and then some smaller inland lakes to enjoy the water. Just a word of advice, when you go to Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, be prepared for some COLD water. But if you’re a northern girl, you love it!

Here are some great places to enjoy the water this summer, along with your RV!

• Lakeshore Park, St. Ignace, Mich., gives campers an opportunity to enjoy the Upper Peninsula with a view of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. With 75 sites, the park is open from May 1-Oct. 15, offering RVers access to Lake Michigan and is just an hour from the Soo Locks. The park also offers free Wi-Fi.
• Pirateland Family Campground, Myrtle Beach, S.C., offers 1,500 sites and 88 RV rentals. On the beach of the Atlantic Ocean, the park offers visitors a swimming pool in addition to the ocean. It also has a 510-foot Lazy River where floaters can relax. With numerous amenities, the park also has organized activities. The park also offers Internet access.
• Edgewater Resort & RV Park, Kelseyville, Calif., is on the 100-mile shoreline of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California. The park offers 60 sites and eight cabins. There is boat trailer parking, launching and docking facilities and a beach area. Watercraft is also available for rent nearby.
• Sylvan Lake Beach Park Inc., Hopewell Junction, N.Y., is on 65-wooded acres and on a 120-acre spring-fed lake just 60 miles from New York City. Offering 75 sites, a sandy beach, fishing and boating. There are also lots of family activities and a playground.