Everything We Packed for Our 10 days Michigan Vacation

Everything We Packed for Our 10-Day Michigan Family Vacation

There's nothing quite like a Michigan summer.

From Lake Michigan sunsets and sandy beaches to small-town ice cream shops, lighthouse adventures, campfires, and baseball hats full of beach treasures—it's one of our family's favorite places to escape every year.

This trip was 10 days long, and since we traveled with our camper, three kids, and our four-legged crew, packing took a little planning! If you're getting ready for your own Great Lakes adventure, here's everything we packed.

Clothing

For Everyone

• T-shirts and tank tops
• Sweatshirts (Michigan evenings can get chilly!)
• Lightweight rain jackets
• Shorts
• One pair of jeans
• Pajamas
• Underwear and socks
• Tennis shoes
• Flip-flops
• Water shoes

For the Kids

• Extra play clothes
• Hoodies
• Swimsuits
• Baseball caps
• Light blanket for the drive

For Mom

• Swimsuits
• Cover-up
• Athletic outfits
• A nicer outfit for date night
• Sunglasses
• Baseball hats
• Crossbody bag

Beach Essentials

You can never spend too much time on a Great Lakes beach!

We packed:

• Beach towels
• Beach blanket
• Beach chairs
• Bogg Bag
• Sunscreen
• Lip SPF
• Aloe gel
• Beach toys
• Frisbee
• Football
• Volleyball
• Sand shovel
• Cooler
• Reusable water bottles
• Snacks
• Portable speaker
• Umbrella
• Bug spray

Camper Kitchen

• Paper plates and bowls
• Cups
• Coffee maker
• Coffee
• Creamer
• Water bottles
• Seasonings
• Cooking oil
• Aluminum foil
• Zip-top bags
• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Pots and pans
• Blackstone cooking supplies
• Grill utensils

Food

We always try to keep meals simple.

Some favorites:

• Bacon
• Eggs
• Pancakes
• Bread
• Lunch meat
• Cheese
• Hot dogs
• Hamburgers
• Chicken
• Fresh fruit
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Trail mix
• Protein bars
• S'mores supplies
• Coffee
• Electrolytes
• Plenty of water

Camping Gear

• Camp chairs
• Outdoor rug
• Canopy
• Lanterns
• Flashlights
• Headlamps
• Extension cords
• Leveling blocks
• Sewer hoses
• Freshwater hose
• Wheel chocks
• Tool kit
• Fire starters
• Folding table
• Marshmallow roasting sticks

For the Kids

Long road trips are easier when everyone has something to do!

We packed:

• Coloring books
• Crayons
• Books
• Card games
• Travel games
• Tablets
• Headphones
• Chargers
• Stuffed animals
• Blankets

Health & Safety

• First-aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Pain relievers
• Allergy medicine
• Motion sickness remedies
• Bandages
• Antibacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Tweezers
• Thermometer

Toiletries

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrushes
• Hair ties
• Deodorant
• Makeup
• Face wash
• Moisturizer
• Razors
• Nail clippers

Electronics

• Phone chargers
• Watch chargers
• Camera
• Camera batteries
• Portable battery bank
• Extension cords
• Power strip
• Bluetooth speaker

Don't Forget

• Driver's license
• Camper paperwork
• Insurance cards
• Reservation confirmations
• Fishing licenses (if needed)
• Cash
• Credit cards

Our Favorite Part

The best memories never came from something we packed.

They came from watching sunsets over Lake Michigan, climbing lighthouses, searching for Petoskey stones, making s'mores around the campfire, laughing through long road trips, and slowing down together as a family.

Those are the things we'll remember long after everything is unpacked.

If you're planning your own Michigan adventure, I hope this packing list helps make your trip a little easier—and gives you more time to enjoy everything Pure Michigan has to offer.

Happy travels!

— Megan, The Patriotic Sports Mom From the Sidelines to Statelines™