I know you're thinking -- 'Jojo, it's way too cold to go camping just yet', and you're right. Unless you're me. I love freezing to death slowly in my cheap tent.

Even if you hate spring camping, now is the time to make those camping reservations if you're to have any chance at the best state park camp sites in Michigan this summer. Here's my Top Five. 

Feel free to tell us where you love to camp. Unless you want it to remain a secret because you don't want the unwashed masses harshing your mellow. I totally get that.

5. Straits State Park -- Located near the foot of the Mackinac Bridge in St. Ignace, Straits offers camping right on the water, which is wonderfully calming on a summer night with the waves lapping just feet from your tent.

Michigan DNR
Michigan DNR
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4. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park -- Copper Harbor is one of my favorite summer places to visit in Michigan. Long a hiker's paradise, the gentle rolling mountains at the tip of the Keewenaw Peninsula now offer some of the best Mountain Biking Trails in the country. Wilkins State Park offers camp sites on beautiful Lake Fanny Hooe and has a very laid back vibe. The Park also offers historical programs, including one on vintage guns hosted by my friend Jim from the town's general store.

Michigan DNR
Michigan DNR
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3. Fayette Historic State Park -- This place is not well known, but has not only one of the more beautiful views of any state park, but a unique back story as well. Fayette was once home to a functioning foundry to smelt the iron ore mined locally. The result is a ghost town of buildings and homes remaining from the time the port was a fledgling city. The scenic locale also features a deep water harbor and beautiful limestone cliffs over looking Big Bay de Noc. Located just south of Nahma on the peninsula jetting out into Lake Michigan off of US 2.

Michigan DNR
Michigan DNR
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2. Wilderness State Park -- Just west of Mackinaw City lies this rustic park jutting out in to Lake Michigan. Aptly named, this park is extremely popular and tough to get a spot in the prime summer months. Featuring sweeping beaches along the northern shore of Sturgeon Bay, Wilderness is tucked inside a pine forest that really makes you feel like you're 'getting away from it all'.

Michigan DNR
Michigan DNR
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1. Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park -- I can't tell you how much I love the Porkies. They have something for everyone. I prefer backpacking into the Wilderness to one of their rustic cabins. But if that's not your cup of tea, they have full service lakeside camping along Lake Superior, rustic tent sites, and even yurts you can rent. Add to that scenic locales from the oft-photographed Lake of the Clouds to the spectacular views from Summit Peak. 'God's Country' is how my neighbor back in Saginaw described it. He was right.

Michigan DNR
Michigan DNR
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