Yvonne and Kenny Pittman purchased the Vagabond Resort and Campground in October 2024 and have since launched extensive renovations across the 28-acre property in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, working to modernize the facility while preserving its history.
Located on County 513 T Road outside Rapid River on the Stonington Peninsula, the Vagabond has operated as a lakeside campground since the 1930s.
The resort has long attracted vacationers and anglers, including notable guests such as modern dance instructor Donna Cummings in 1954.
The Pittmans, who had been living off-grid in Arizona, were drawn to the property through a tip from Yvonne’s sister.
Familiar with the area from past visits, the couple saw potential in restoring the aging campground.
“We knew it was gonna take a lot of work,” Kenny said, as reported by Daily Press. “We knew that when we stepped into it.”
Since taking ownership, they have focused first on renovating the campground’s seven rental cabins, installing new appliances, furniture, flooring, and ceilings.
The campground also features 40 RV sites and 19 rustic tent camping sites.
Improvements extended to the bathhouse, which now includes keypad access and updated laundry facilities.
In the spring, the couple began roofing repairs with help from a neighbor.
“We stripped all the shingles off, repaired the roofs and put metal back on these… some had six layers of shingles on,” Kenny said.
Additionally, they built a new dock over 200 feet long, equipped with solar lighting, to accommodate anglers arriving by boat.
Fishing has always been a major draw for the Vagabond, which has been cited in Upper Peninsula angling reports dating back to the 1960s.
This winter, one group of ice fishermen even created commemorative shirts for landing walleye over 30 inches.
Longtime guests Jerry and Jean Zeman from Wisconsin Rapids said the campground’s transformation under the Pittmans was noticeable. “It’s important to remember, this is people’s vacation,” said Yvonne.
The couple emphasized routine upkeep to preserve the wooded setting, including clearing brush and maintaining open space for recreation. “Sweeping the woods, as I call it,” Yvonne said.