Grindstone City Boat Launch

Grindstone City is tucked away on the tip of the Thumb, and GPS can get squirrely on the back roads out here. Follow signs toward the harbor rather than trusting your phone — once you see the old grindstone remnants along the shore, you're basically there.

This is a protected harbor launch, not open Lake Huron shoreline, so you can get in and out even when the lake is kicking up 3-4 footers. That alone makes it worth the drive past Port Austin or Caseville if conditions are rough.

The seasonal community here has a permit allowing golf carts on site, so keep your head on a swivel when backing your trailer in. They're friendly folks but they cruise around the launch area pretty casually, especially on summer evenings.

46 trailer spots and this place never draws the crowds that Port Austin or Caseville do. Even on a Fourth of July weekend I've pulled in mid-morning and had my pick of spots. It's the benefit of being slightly off the beaten path.

If you're waiting for your buddy to launch or just killing time, the harbor breakwall and shoreline west of the ramp hold smallmouth bass all summer long. There's a vault toilet on the peninsula west of the site, so you don't have to hunt for facilities.