Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Travel Guide
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan or UP as some call it, is not a place everyone thinks about visiting. However, the UP is home to the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and is surrounded by crystal-clear blue water. There are also state parks, islands to hop around, waterfalls to see, and even locks where you can watch the ships go through. There is something for everyone.
Miners Castle at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
When to Visit the Upper Peninsula
The busiest time of the year for the UP is the summer months. Temperatures are at their peaks, and all the businesses are open, which means there are plenty of activities for everyone. July and August are the warmest months with average highs around 73 degrees Fahrenheit. While January is the coldest and snowiest month with average high temperatures in the mid-20s and snowfall just above 40 inches. The average high water temperature will peak in August at around 67 degrees Fahrenheit if you would like to go for a swim, which we recommend. If you visit in the summer we recommend bringing plenty of bug spray since the mosquitos come out as soon as the sun sets.
You can still visit the UP in the winter, however, there will be road closures for snow especially around Pictured Rocks National Shoreline and the National Forest area. Businesses will close down for the season. However, if you like snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing, or winter hikes, then this is a great time of the year to stop by.
Mackinac Bridge
Getting to the Upper Peninsula
Most people around the Midwest will elect to drive to the Upper Peninsula. To get to the Upper Peninsula you’ll drive across the Mackinac Bridge which is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The Mackinac Bridge does have a toll of $2 per axle which is $4.00 for a car. If you bring a larger RV or camper it could be more.
If flying, the closest airport is Sawyer Regional Airport in Marquette, which Delta and American Airlines fly into daily. The best option to see the area is to rent a car. There is a Budget Car Rental at the airport. Then it’s about a 45-minute drive to Munising, which is close to Pictured Rocks National Shoreline. You can also fly into Green Bay, but you would have over a 3-hour drive, and Detroit is about 6 hours away. Again the best option is to rent a car when you get there. The UP is sparsely populated and there are a ton of different areas to explore so it’s almost impossible to explore without a car.
Where to Stay on the Upper Peninsula
There are a variety of options for everyone when deciding where to stay in the UP. There are hotels, AirBNBs, campgrounds, and cabins. Camping is a popular activity, so bring a tent, RV, or camper for some fun.
Our camper van at our campsite near the Mackinac Bridge
Staying Near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
If you plan on visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore we recommend staying in Munising. There are plenty of hotels and motels to choose from, and the town is right on Lake Superior so you have easy access to boat tours around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There are also cabin rentals just outside of Munising if you want to go that route.
We drove to the Upper Peninsula in our camper van so we chose to stay and camp at one of the many campgrounds in Hiawatha National Forest off of NF-13 just south of Munising. The campgrounds are only about a 30-minute drive from Munising so it’s easy to get to the town to restock supplies. Some of the campgrounds have lakes so you can go swimming and kayaking! If you choose camping in the summer, don’t forget your bug spray! We got swarmed by mosquitos as soon as the sun went down!
There are also 3 campgrounds located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that include drive-in campgrounds, backcountry campsites, and rustic cabins. All these campgrounds require reservations at recreation.gov. Note that pets aren’t allowed at the Little Beaver Campground.
Staying Near Mackinac Island
If you want to visit Mackinac Island we recommend staying in St. Ignace which is the first city when you cross the Mackinac Bridge. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants in the area and there is a ferry that can take you to Mackinac Island. You can also stay on Mackinac Island, but the hotels are more expensive than in St. Ignace.
Things To Do on the Upper Peninsula
Pictured Rock National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is on the southern border of Lake Superior and offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can pay for daily passes to Pictured Rocks or you can use a National Parks Pass.
Hiking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Munising Falls
Pictured Rocks has numerous hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. The most popular trail is the Lakeshore Trail which runs 42 miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior. This hike offers beautiful views of pristine beaches, dense forests, sandstone cliffs, and colorful rock formations. The hike has several access points so you can hike specific sections of the trail.
Pictured Rocks also has several waterfalls you can hike to. Munising Falls is a short 800 ft hike one way on a paved trail to a viewing platform for the waterfall. Sable Falls is a 0.4-mile round-trip hike from the Sable Falls parking lot. The trail starts with going down stairs to the base of the falls and then continues along the beach. The Miners Falls Trail is longer at 1.2 miles roundtrip. This is an easy trail through the forest where you can see the 50-foot waterfall.
Boat Tours at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
One of the best ways to experience the dramatic cliffs and rock formations at Pictured Rocks is by taking a boat tour. Several companies in Munising offer guided cruises along the shoreline where you can get up close views of landmarks like Miners Castle, Chapel Rock, and the Painted Coves.
Kayaking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Rent a kayak or canoe and explore the crystal clear waters in Lake Superior along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. You can access secluded beaches, hidden coves, and towering cliffs that aren't accesible by land.
The water in Lake Superior is only around 60 degrees in the summer so make sure you wear a life jacket in case you fall in. The cold water can be quite a shock to the system!
Scenic Overlooks at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Miners Castle
You can also admire the beautiful views along Lake Superior at one of the many scenic overlooks along Pictured Rocks’ scenic drive. Some popular overlooks include Miners Castle, Miners Beach, and Mosquito Falls.
Winter Activities at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks still has plenty of activities if you choose to visit in the winter including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.
2. The Soo Locks
The Soo Locks
The Soo Locks (short for Sault Ste. Marie Locks) are located in Sault Ste. Marie. They allow ships to bypass the rapids on the St. Mary's River, connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes.
The locks allow ships to navigate the 21-foot drop in water level between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. When ships enter the locks, the gates are closed and water is either drained to lower the ship or pumped in to raise the ship, depending on which way the ship is traveling.
The Soo Locks visitor center allows visitors to watch ships pass through the locks and learn about their history.
3. Lighthouses on the Upper Peninsula
Wawatam Lighthouse
Several picturesque lighthouses dot the shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, each with its own history and charm. Here are a few lighthouses that you can see.
The Au Sable Light Station is located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Grand Marais and is perched on a sandstone cliff overlooking Lake Superior. This lighthouse is included in scenic boat tours in Pictured Rocks and can also be accessed by a hiking trail.
The Whitefish Point Lighthouse is located on Lake Superior near Paradise. Built in 1849, this is one of the oldest active lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum which features exhibits on shipwrecks and the history of the lighthouse.
The Wawatam Lighthouse is located at St. Ignace, just north of the Mackinac Bridge. This lighthouse was built as a memorial to the historic St. Helena Island Lighthouse on Lake Michigan. It's named after the SS Chief Wawatam, a historic steamship that used to transport goods and passengers between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.
4. Island Hopping on the Upper Peninsula
Arch Rock on Mackinac Island
Going island hopping in the Upper Peninsula offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of the region’s island. Take a ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. The island is car-free so you can explore the island by bicycle or taking a horse-drawn carriage. Check out Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, and Mackinac Island State Park during your visit. Mackinac Island is also known for its fudge so be sure to stop at one of the many fudge shops on the island.
You can get to Drummond Island by taking a ferry from DeTour Village. Drummond Island is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. You can go fishing, hiking, biking, and go kayaking along the island’s rugged shoreline. While you’re there check out Marblehead and the Fossil Ledges.
5. Kayaking on the Upper Peninsula
We mentioned kayaking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore above, but there are numerous places to kayak on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The Hiawatha National Forest, where we camped, is home to many rivers and lakes where you can go kayaking. Exploring the coves along Grand Island’s shoreline and the Au Train River are favorites of visitors.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is known primarily for its amazing waterfalls, but you can also go kayaking on the Tahquamenon River downstream of the Lower Falls.
On the northern shore of Lake Huron, you can go kayaking around the Les Cheneaux Islands. You can rent kayaks in Cedarville or Hessel and explore the calm waters and rocky shores.
Food to Try on the Upper Peninsula
Pasties
Beef Pasty
Driving around the Upper Peninsula, it doesn’t take you long to notice all the Pasty (pronounced past-eee) shops. Pasties are small meat pies that were brought to northern Michigan by Cornish miners from England. We recommend stopping and giving one of these a try. If you’re near St. Ignace, Lehto’s is a really popular place to get beef pasties. If you’re up near Munising we recommend trying Miners Pasty Kitchen.
These are just a few things that the Upper Peninsula has to offer. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, lighthouses, or simply enjoying nature, the Upper Peninsula has something for everyone.