Looking for the very best issues to do within the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? We’ve road-tripped the UP a number of instances and may inform you this: it’s one among America’s final nice wild frontiers. This rugged, distant area, house to a few of the best places to visit in Michigan, is full of towering waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, pristine mountain climbing trails, and scenic shorelines alongside three Great Lakes – Superior, Michigan, and Huron.
Whether you’re kayaking the turquoise waters of Pictured Rocks, taking a heart-pounding leap from the cliffs in Marquette, or feeling the rumble of big freighters on the Soo Locks, the UP delivers pure journey. This information breaks down the 17 must-see locations and experiences that make Michigan’s Upper Peninsula unforgettable. Let’s hit the highway.
Editor’s Note for 2025: This information to the Upper Peninsula was initially contributed by Veggies Abroad. We have since utterly revamped and up to date it with our personal private tales, images, and insider ideas from our many highway journeys by means of the UP to make sure it’s probably the most complete and correct useful resource to your travels.*
Quick Hits: The Very Best of the UP
Pressed for time? Here are the highest issues to do in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that you just completely can not miss:
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Kayak or cruise beneath the long-lasting, mineral-stained cliffs.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park: Witness the ability of the huge, amber-colored Upper Falls.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Hike to the breathtaking Lake of the Clouds Overlook.
Presque Isle Park: Cliff soar from the well-known Black Rocks into Lake Superior.
Kitch-iti-kipi: Glide throughout Michigan’s largest and most beautiful pure spring.
Mackinac Island: Step again in time on a car-free island recognized for bikes and fudge.
Keweenaw Peninsula: Drive to the northernmost level for epic stargazing and solitude.
Dave & Deb right here! We’ve misplaced rely of our highway journeys by means of the Upper Peninsula. This was us on the point of go Kayaking.
1. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Why Visit: Home to one of many largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, Tahquamenon Falls is an absolute powerhouse. The tannin-rich waters of the Tahquamenon River give the falls a definite amber colour, incomes it the nickname “Root Beer Falls.” We visited in October as golden leaves drifted downstream by means of the mist, and it felt like strolling right into a fairytale. The sheer pressure of the Upper Falls, particularly through the spring soften, is one thing you need to really feel to consider.
Things to Do:
Walk the accessible half-mile paved path to the principle Upper Falls overlook.
Hike the four-mile path connecting the Upper and Lower Falls.
Rent a rowboat on the Lower Falls to paddle out to the island for a novel perspective.
Insider Tip: While the Upper Falls will get all of the glory, don’t skip the Lower Falls. It’s a collection of smaller, cascading falls which might be simply as lovely and way more interactive.
How to Get There: Located off M-123 close to the city of Paradise.
Where to Stay or Eat: Camp within the park or keep at close by lodges in Paradise.
2. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Why Visit: This is the crown jewel of the Upper Peninsula. A surprising 42-mile stretch of Lake Superior shoreline that includes mineral-stained sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and dramatic arches. These rock partitions aren’t simply lovely—they’re historic canvases brushed by time and water. Kayaking previous Chapel Rock and thru Lovers Leap Arch felt like paddling by means of a cathedral carved by the earth itself.
Things to Do:
Take a guided kayak tour to see the cliffs up shut (one of the best ways to expertise it).
Hike the 10-mile Chapel Loop Trail for unimaginable clifftop views.
Visit Miners Castle overlook and stroll the brief path to Miners Falls.
Relax on the seaside at Sand Point.
Insider Tip: Book your Pictured Rocks boat or kayak tour months prematurely, particularly for summer season. They promote out quick. If you’re kayaking, go along with a information. Lake Superior’s climate is notoriously unpredictable.
Where to Stay: Munising is the principle hub for excursions and lodging.
3. Presque Isle Park
Why Visit: Just minutes from downtown Marquette, this forested peninsula is an area favourite and an adventurer’s playground. The foremost draw? The “Black Rocks,” a formation of historic volcanic rock excellent for cliff leaping. We took the leap into the shockingly chilly, emerald water of Lake Superior below a blazing summer season solar. The adrenaline rush adopted by a warm-up on the sun-baked rocks is a core UP reminiscence.
Things to Do:
Cliff soar from the Black Rocks (at your individual danger!).
Bike or drive the scenic Peter White Drive loop across the peninsula.
Watch the sundown over Lake Superior—it’s among the best spots within the UP.
Insider Tip: The parking zone on the northern tip fills up quick on scorching days. Go early within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from the largest crowds.
Where to Stay or Eat: Stay in Marquette for its eating places and lakeside accommodations.
4. Marquette
Why Visit: Marquette is the biggest metropolis within the UP and the right house base for journey. It effortlessly blends rugged outside entry with small-city tradition, nice breweries, and unbelievable eating places. We cherished having the ability to hike a mountain within the morning, seize an unimaginable meal within the night, and finish the night time with a craft beer. It’s the right combine of untamed and civilized.
Hike to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain (extra on that under).
Visit the long-lasting pink Marquette Harbor Lighthouse.
Explore the downtown retailers and seize a espresso at a lakeside cafe.
Dine at native favorites like The Vierling, The Bodega, or Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery.
Insider Tip: Use Marquette as your hub for exploring Presque Isle, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Dead River Falls.
5. Sugarloaf Mountain
Why Visit: This brief hike delivers one of many largest rewards in your entire Upper Peninsula. The climb isn’t lengthy, however the 360-degree panoramic view from the summit is breathtaking. From the viewing platforms, we might see for miles—the dense forests, the rugged shoreline, the long-lasting ore dock, and the limitless expanse of Lake Superior. It’s a dawn spot we’ll always remember.
Things to Do:
Hike the half-mile path to the summit viewing platforms.
Photograph the views of Lake Superior, Little Presque Isle, and Hogsback Mountain.
A must-do for dawn or to seize peak fall foliage.
Insider Tip: There are two routes up: “easy” and “difficult.” The “easy” path is much less steep and has stairs, making it faster for most individuals.
6. Kayaking Lake Superior
Why Visit: Paddling on the “Big Lake” is an unforgettable method to expertise the uncooked scale and great thing about the UP’s shoreline. Lake Superior calls for respect, and it’s a core a part of the epic Lake Superior Circle Tour, however when she’s calm, paddling on her waters is pure magic. Gliding beneath 200-foot cliffs in turquoise water with eagles hovering overhead is a humbling expertise. Lake Superior calls for respect, however when she’s calm, paddling on her waters is pure magic.
Things to Do:
Join a guided kayak tour at Pictured Rocks (the preferred choice).
Explore the quieter sea caves and coves round Munising Bay and Grand Island.
Launch from the seashores in Marquette for a paddle round Presque Isle.
Insider Tip: Lake Superior’s situations can change in minutes. Always verify small craft advisories, inform somebody your plan, and should you’re not an skilled paddler, follow a guided tour.
7. Whitefish Point & The Shipwreck Museum
Why Visit: This windswept level on Lake Superior is gorgeous, moody, and steeped in maritime lore. Known because the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes,” the treacherous waters off this level have claimed tons of of ships. It’s a spot that feels sacred. We walked the seaside at nightfall, and watching the sky fade over the huge, silent lake was a robust second.
Things to Do:
Visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, house of the bell from the legendary S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. In 2025, the museum is open day by day 9?am–5?pm from May?1 by means of October?31. Admission consists of entry to the shipwreck reveals, keeper’s quarters, and lookout tower.
Climb the tower at Whitefish Point Light Station, the oldest working lighthouse on Lake Superior.
Walk the desolate, lovely seaside and search for agate rocks.
Insider Tip: Whitefish Point is in an official Dark Sky Park. On a transparent night time, the stargazing is phenomenal, with an actual probability of seeing the Northern Lights.
How to Get There: Located 11 miles north of Paradise on Whitefish Point Road.
8. Porcupine Mountains State Park
Why Visit: Affectionately generally known as “the Porkies,” this is without doubt one of the final nice wilderness areas within the Midwest. It’s uncooked, distant, and big. Hiking to the Lake of the Clouds Overlook was like strolling right into a portray. We stood on the escarpment, soaking within the silence, the colourful fall colours, and the sense of one thing historic and untouched.
Things to Do:
Drive to the simply accessible Lake of the Clouds Overlook for the long-lasting view.
Hike a bit of the Escarpment Trail for extra beautiful vistas.
Chase waterfalls at Bond Falls and Agate Falls.
Insider Tip: Visit on a weekday to keep away from the crowds that flock to the principle overlook on weekends, particularly throughout fall colour season.
How to Get There: West of Ontonagon close to the Wisconsin border.
Where to Stay or Eat: Cabins and backcountry websites can be found within the park.
9. Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring)
Why Visit: Prepare to be mesmerized. Located in Palms Book State Park, Kitch-iti-kipi, or “The Big Spring,” is a shocking emerald pool so clear you’ll be able to see straight to the underside 40 toes under. You pull your self throughout the spring on a self-powered remark raft, watching historic, mineral-encrusted bushes and swirling sands under. The water is an otherworldly shade of blue-green—it nearly doesn’t really feel actual.
Things to Do:
Ride the remark raft throughout the crystal-clear spring.
Look for the huge trout that decision the spring house.
Insider Tip: This is without doubt one of the UP’s hottest stops. Go early within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from lengthy strains for the raft, particularly in summer season.
How to Get There: Located 12 miles west of Manistique off M-149.
10. Mackinac Island
Why Visit: An enthralling, car-free island suspended in time between Michigan’s two peninsulas. The second you step off the ferry, the rhythm adjustments. The roar of engines is changed by the clip-clop of horses and the ringing of bicycle bells. Fudge is mainly a meals group right here. We rented bikes and rode the 8.2-mile loop across the island’s shoreline, grinning the entire method.
Things to Do:
Bike the 8.2-mile M-185 loop across the island.
Tour the historic Fort Mackinac.
Sample world-famous fudge from one of many many downtown retailers.
Hike to the long-lasting Arch Rock.
Insider Tip: Book your ferry tickets on-line prematurely. While not technically within the UP, it’s a necessary cease, and ferries depart from St. Ignace on the UP facet.
If you’re spending time on the south facet of the bridge, there are numerous enjoyable issues to do in Northern Michigan, from exploring the distinctive Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix to having fun with what looks like Caribbean water adventures on Torch Lake.”
How to Get There: Take a ferry from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
11. Keweenaw Peninsula
Why Visit: This is the distant, northernmost tip of the UP, a spot for true solitude, darkish skies, and engaging copper mining historical past. This is the place we noticed the Northern Lights for the primary time, a faint inexperienced glow dancing over the silent expanse of Lake Superior. Add in wild seashores, ghost cities, and a severe lack of crowds, and you’ve got a recipe for magic.
Things to Do:
Take the breathtaking Brockway Mountain Drive for panoramic views.
Explore the charming harbor city of Copper Harbor.
Hike amongst old-growth bushes at Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary.
Hunt for the aurora borealis from a distant Lake Superior seaside.
Insider Tip: Cell service is spotty to non-existent in a lot of the Keweenaw. Download offline maps earlier than you go and pack further water and snacks.
How to Get There: Highway 41 results in the tip of the peninsula from Houghton.
12. Sault Ste. Marie & Soo Locks
Why Visit: It’s one factor to see an enormous 1,000-foot freighter on the lake; it’s one other to look at it get lifted 21 toes between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The Soo Locks are an engineering marvel and the lifeblood of Great Lakes transport. Watching these giants squeeze by means of the locks is surprisingly fascinating. Plus, the city of Sault Ste. Marie itself is Michigan’s oldest metropolis and is stuffed with pleasant locals.
Things to Do:
Watch the huge freighters from the viewing platform.
Take a ship tour that goes proper by means of the locks alongside the freighters.
Visit the Tower of History for a panoramic view of the world.
Insider Tip: Time your go to! Check the freighter schedule on-line (MarineTraffic or comparable apps) or on the customer middle to make sure you’ll see a ship cross by means of. For the very best expertise, e book a tour with Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours or Original Soo Locks Boat Tours.
How to Get There: Accessible by way of I-75 on the jap tip of the UP.
13. Isle Royale National Park
Why Visit: This is for the intense adventurer. Accessible solely by ferry or seaplane, Isle Royale is a distant, rugged island in the course of Lake Superior, famend for its moose and wolf populations. Reaching it looks like coming into one other world. We spent days mountain climbing right here with out seeing one other soul. It’s the last word off-grid expertise—no roads, no cell service, simply you and the wild.
Things to Do:
Take the ferry to both Windigo or Rock Harbor.
Hike a portion of the well-known Greenstone Ridge Trail.
Go backpacking and camp beside pristine inland lakes.
Insider Tip: The park is closed from November 1 to April 15. Ferry schedules are restricted and should be booked far prematurely. There isn’t any cell service. You should be absolutely self-sufficient.
How to Get There: Seasonal ferry or seaplane entry from Houghton or Copper Harbor.
14. Cut River Bridge
Why Visit: Located on US-2 alongside the Lake Michigan shoreline, this isn’t only a bridge—it’s a scenic cease with a hidden community of trails. We parked and took the steps down into the river valley, discovering a quiet, lovely spot the place the Cut River meets Lake Michigan. It’s the right place to stretch your legs on the drive throughout the UP.
Things to Do:
Walk throughout the bridge’s pedestrian path for a view from 147 toes up.
Take the steps all the way down to the paths under.
Walk the trail to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Insider Tip: This cease is very attractive within the fall when the valley is ablaze with colour.
15. Manistique & Fayette Historic State Park
Why Visit: A two-for-one cease on the southern coast of the UP. Manistique gives a beautiful lakeside boardwalk, whereas a brief drive away lies Fayette, a superbly preserved Nineteenth-century iron-smelting ghost city. Walking by means of the empty lodge and firm retailer at Fayette looks like stepping onto a film set.
Things to Do:
Stroll the Manistique Boardwalk and go to the lighthouse.
Explore the ghost city at Fayette Historic State Park.
Insider Tip: Fayette has an attractive harbor on Snail Shell Harbor, a fantastic spot for a picnic after exploring the historic townsite.
16. The Drive on US-2
Why Visit: Sometimes the journey is the vacation spot. The stretch of US-2 freeway that hugs the northern shore of Lake Michigan is without doubt one of the most scenic drives within the Midwest. With limitless seashores, charming small cities, and traditional roadside pasty retailers, it’s a quintessential a part of the UP highway journey expertise.
We have been fortunate sufficient to bike across the whole Lake Superior Circle Route by means of Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario. It was among the best highway journeys we’ve ever taken!
Things to Do:
Pull over on the quite a few roadside parks and seashores.
Stop for a conventional Cornish pasty (a UP staple!).
Enjoy the laid-back, scenic drive.
Insider Tip: Give your self extra time than you assume you want for this drive. You’ll need to cease regularly.
17. Grand Island Ice Caves (Winter)
Why Visit: A magical winter wonderland fashioned by frozen waterfalls alongside sandstone cliffs. We snowshoed throughout frozen Lake Superior right into a frozen dreamscape of blue ice and crystal arches. It’s chilly, wild, and price each chilly step.
Things to Do:
Snowshoe or ski throughout the ice to the caves
Photograph big icicles and blue chambers
Explore with a guided tour for security
Insider Tip: Always verify native ice situations earlier than crossing. Bring poles and spikes. Or higher but, rent a information to be protected.
How to Get There: Access from Sand Point Road close to Munising.
Your Adventure Awaits within the UP
From the thundering energy of Tahquamenon Falls to the silent, starry nights over Lake Superior within the Keweenaw, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is greater than only a vacation spot—it’s an expertise that stays with you. We’ve shared our listing of probably the most unforgettable issues to do in Upper Peninsula Michigan, however in reality, it solely scratches the floor of this wild and delightful frontier.
The actual magic is discovered within the unplanned detours, the quiet overlooks you uncover by probability, and the conversations you may have with pleasant locals over a roadside pasty. Whether you begin your journey after exploring the very best issues to do in Detroit or drive straight north, that is one among America’s final nice highway journeys, a spot that rewards the curious and the adventurous. So seize your map, pack your mountain climbing boots, and prepare to search out your individual slice of the wild north. The Upper Peninsula is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
When is the very best time to go to the Upper Peninsula? Late spring by means of early fall (June to October) gives the very best climate for mountain climbing, kayaking, and tenting. Fall colours, usually peaking in late September or early October, are spectacular. Winter is unimaginable for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and seeing ice caves, however be ready for excessive chilly and highway closures.
Can you see the Northern Lights within the UP? Yes! The Upper Peninsula has a few of the darkest skies within the nation. Your finest probability is on the Keweenaw Peninsula or alongside the shore of Lake Superior away from metropolis lights. A transparent, darkish night time within the fall or spring offers you the best likelihood.
Is Mackinac Island a part of the UP? Technically, Mackinac Island is situated within the Straits of Mackinac between the 2 peninsulas. However, it’s mostly accessed from and included in UP journey itineraries, with ferries departing from St. Ignace within the UP.
Is the Upper Peninsula good for highway journeys? Absolutely. The UP is without doubt one of the premier highway journey locations within the United States. Distances between main sights may be lengthy, so plan your route accordingly. Be ready for restricted cell service in distant areas—downloading offline maps is crucial.
What is a Pasty and the place can I get one? A pasty (pass-tee) is a baked pastry stuffed with meat and greens, dropped at the UP by Cornish miners within the 1800s. It’s the unofficial meals of the UP, and also you’ll discover pasty retailers throughout. Trying one is a required a part of the expertise!