5 Days in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) is a hidden gem for road trippers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With its pristine forests, countless stunning waterfalls, and expansive lakeshores, the UP offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and adventure. Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a beginner outdoorist looking to explore, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to make the most of your road trip through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the summer. The best part? You can experience most of its wonder in less than a week!
While the Upper Peninsula can also be great for offseason adventures, this blog is written from the perspective of visiting in the summer. In the summer months, you’ll be able to experience the most uninterrupted weather-related activities, and most businesses, restaurants, and attractions are open for visitors. Summer (June to August) offers warm weather ideal for hiking, camping, and swimming. It is best to check opening or closing dates if you’re visiting during the slower seasons.
Other Important Things To Know:
Some parts of the Michigan UP are quite remote! We highly recommend downloading offline maps for navigation and filling up on gas when you can.
Michigan is abundant with wildlife! With that, be sure to always keep your distance from moose, deer, bears and other big animals. Never feed or approach them, and become educated on what to do if one gets too close for comfort.
Insect repellant may be your best friend in the summer months.
Day 1: Getting There & Tahquamenon Falls:
International Airports are located throughout the state of Michigan, but the main hubs would have to be either Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR). Both are located approximately 5 hours away by car to the Upper Peninsula.
We know it sounds like a long day of travel just to make it to the UP, but we actually find road tripping through the mitten one of the better stretches to drive in one go. It is flat, roads are almost always new (Michigan’s infrastructure is frequently redone in the shoulder seasons because of the harsh winters), and it is just so beautiful. The highways are lined with lush American Beech, Balsam Fir, and Red Oak trees, and the direction of traffic is often separated by large, grassy highway dividers. If you’re from Southern California like us, it is such a beautiful contrast to the brown and dry conditions at home.
Once you arrive to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the fun is easy to find! Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses nearly 50,000 acres in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering multiple campgrounds, overnight lodging facilities, a boat launch, and more than 35 miles of trails. The main attraction, the Falls, are often referred to as “Root Beer Falls” because of their color. It is brown because of tannins (large molecules like starches and minerals) that bleed from the cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees in the forest.
Upper Falls Viewing Trail: The Upper Falls Viewing Trail is an accessible and popular choice for visitors of all ages and abilities. This paved path is about 0.5 mile round trip and leads directly to several viewing platforms. The Upper Falls themselves are massive, with a drop of nearly 50 feet and a width of more than 200 feet. The sheer volume of water flowing over the falls is awe-inspiring. There are multiple viewing areas directly on the sides of the paved path, but there is a larger platform at the end of the trail, called Brink View, followed by a steep staircase. See the Upper Falls Day Use Area map to image the area yourself.
Lower Falls: Ready for more falls? Continue along M-123 to visit the Lower Falls of the river. This series of smaller cascades and rapids are easily viewed by another paved walkway. A quarter-mile boardwalk leads you up close. See the Lower Falls Day Use Area map to see and imagine this area.
Wind down the day at the park’s Brewery or head to camp. We stayed at a private family park called Kritters Campground, which offers full hookup and primitive camping sites.
Day 2: Hike & Tour Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
Day 2 is going to be an EPIC day. You’ll start your day walking through forest trails and on top of stunning cliff coastlines on the Chapel Basin Loop. You’ll end your day seeing the colored cliff coastlines from a different perspective by taking a tour with Pictured Rocks Cruises. Sounds fun?
About Chapel Basin Loop:
The Chapel Loop in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the premier hiking trails in the Upper Peninsula. This 10.2-mile loop takes you through a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, serene lakes, and the iconic sandstone cliffs that give the lakeshore its name. You should expect to spend about 4-5 hours to complete the full hiking trail. The loop can be hiked in either direction, but we recommend starting counter-clockwise towards Mosquito Falls. This portion of the hike is particularly uneven with sprawled roots hidden in the dirt, and could be difficult ending the long hike on tricky terrain. Chapel Basin Loop’s highlights include passing by Mosquito Falls, Grand Portal Point, Chapel Rock and more!
Not looking to hike that much in a day? We get it. Between you and me, we’ve actually not completed the whole loop in one trip. Due to bad weather conditions and another trip with limited time, we’ve only done portions of the loop in chunks. One day we hope to complete it in full!
Other trip variants:
Mosquito Falls & Mosquito River Loop: 4.1-miles roundtrip. See map here.
Chapel Beach Loop: 6.5-miles roundtrip. See map here.
Tour with Pictured Rock Cruises:
After your long day on your feet, relax by hopping aboard a cruise with Pictured Rock Cruises. We highly recommend taking their sunset cruises, as it brings out the best in Pictured Rocks’ and Lake Superior's natural beauty. The most magical aspect of the sunset cruise is witnessing how the changing light transforms the landscape. The sun’s rays cast a warm golden hue over the water and cliffs, highlighting the vivid colors and intricate patterns in the rock formations. Taking this cruise was easily one of our favorite National Park moments!
Wind down the day at one of the many restaurants in the area or head back to camp for dinner. We enjoyed some really good tacos from Tacopotamus and stayed the night at the Munising/Pictured Rocks KOA.
Day 3: Exploring Munising & Marquette
Munising serves as a great base for continued exploration of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and is home to numerous waterfalls. Before leaving the area, take some time to pop through a few notable areas:
Pictured Rocks Interpretive Center & Gift Shop: The Pictured Rocks Interpretive Center & Gift Shop is a place to gain a deeper understanding of the unique beauty of the spots you had the chance to walk through yesterday. By taking the time to explore the exhibits, you’ll leave with a richer appreciation of this remarkable region and wonderful memories to cherish. Don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs!
Miners Castle: Miners Castle is one of the most renowned landmarks along the Pictured Rocks shoreline and the only cliff area in the park accessible by vehicle. From the parking lot, a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible trail guides visitors past interpretive exhibits to stunning overlooks of Lake Superior and Grand Island. For those looking for a closer view, stairs and a steeper trail lead down to the lower overlook, right next to Miners Castle.
Miners Falls: A gently rolling gravel and dirt path winds through the northwoods, leading to two waterfall-viewing platforms. The walk from the parking area to the waterfall is 1.2-miles roundtrip. The Miners River, flowing above, cascades about 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop, forming the park's most powerful waterfall. To reach the lower viewing platform at the falls, you’ll need to descend 64 steps.
Munising Falls: Walk the paved 800-foot trail up a cool shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the falls.
Located only 45-minutes away, Marquette blends outdoor adventure with city life. This is where we’ll finish Day 2 at. Marquette is the largest city in the UP, with a little less than 21,000 residents, and was settled in 1844. Find some midday fuel before taking a quick day exploring this area. We got lunch at Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery, which overlooks the historic Lower Harbor Ore Dock.
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse: Marquette Harbor Lighthouse is a stunningly bright red lighthouse with a perched view of the lake. Take a tour of this historic lighthouse for a glimpse into the region’s maritime history, or have a relaxing picnic at the nearby McCarty’s Cove.
Marquette Historical Courthouse: Are you a classic courtroom movie buff like we are? Even if you aren't, the Marquette Historical Courthouse is a stunning building to peek into. Set as the filming location for the 1959 movie ‘Anatomy of a Murder,’ this ornate Neoclassical is detailed with colorful penny tile and dazzling stained glass. There’s even a small mini-museum paying homage to the film as you first step into the building, right next to and in front of the grand marble staircase.
Sugarloaf Mountain: Sugarloaf Mountain is a short 1.4-mile but steep hike rewards you with panoramic views of Marquette and Lake Superior.
Presque Isle Park: Presque Isle Park is the highlight of our day in Marquette, since they offer a thrilling activity like no other in the area. The free-entry 323-acre open space offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning lake views, but the best way to experience the park is by cliff jumping at Black Rocks. Locals and travelers alike gather at these stunning shores for a quick spike of adrenaline. Although Marquette officials strongly discourage cliff jumping due to the high hazards of Lake Superior, it is still a popular spot. Never dive headfirst and still know that the water is chilly! At its warmest in mid-August, the water temperature still hovers around the high 50’s to low 60’s.
After our long day running around, we enjoyed the hot showers available at the privately-owned Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds. There they offer full hookups for larger rigs, as well as tent sites.
Day 4: Rafting Kitch-Iti-kipi
Located about an hour and a half from Marquette, Kitch-iti-Kipi, also known as "The Big Spring," is Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring and one of the Upper Peninsula’s most enchanting attractions. Located within Palms Book State Park near Manistique, this crystal-clear, emerald-green spring is a sight to behold.
As you arrive at the park, a short, scenic walk takes you to the edge of Kitch-iti-Kipi. The spring spans 200 feet across and is over 40 feet deep, with water so clear that you can see straight to the bottom. An observation raft glides across the spring, allowing visitors to view the underwater features up close. As the raft gets maneuvered either by yourself or another visit joining your group, you get the chance to marvel at the limestone formations, fallen trees, and schools of large trout swimming below.
The spring maintains a constant temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, ensuring that it never freezes, even in the harshest winters. Nicknamed the “Mirror of Heaven'' by the Ojibwe (fun fact: Sam’s tribe), the spring's serene and mystical atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking a moment of tranquility.
As enchanting as it is, the water cannot be touched, and drones cannot be flown above the spring. Rangers will drill this into you as you visit, since it is such a sensitive area to preserve. You can swim, fish and paddle at the nearby Indian Lake State Park.
Our quick visit ended there, but yours doesn’t have to. There is much more to explore in the nearby State Park mentioned, and in the bordering Hiawatha Forest. Spend the night at nearby campgrounds or hotels and resorts. We spent the night in St. Ignace at the Cedar Hill Lodge.
Day 5: Last Stops & Getting Home
Wrapping up an incredible road trip doesn’t need to be so sad, especially driving through the mitten. Don’t forget to sprinkle in your last bits of fun before making it back to your airport for departure:
Don’t forget to try a Pastie: A what?! No, not that kind of pastie. The handheld meat pies, kind. Pronounced “pass-tee,” were a popular food for the early Cornish miners because of their portability and ability to keep them full for long periods of time. We love grabbing their fresh, pippin’ hot venison pasties from Taste of the Upper Peninsula, located just before you cross over the Mackinac Bridge.
Mackinaw City: Mackinaw City’s downtown area is bustling with shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Mackinaw Crossings, a charming shopping village, offers a variety of stores selling everything from local crafts and souvenirs to clothing and specialty foods. Don’t miss the chance to sample local fudge, a Mackinaw City specialty, from one of the many fudge shops in town. Many restaurants and points of interest feature outdoor seating, perfect for soaking in the views and summer breezes.
Wondering why we didn’t stop at Mackinac Island this trip? You could, but we are firm believers that the best season to visit this iconic travel destination is in the fall. We've heard numerous accounts describing how visiting the Island in the summer can be quite unpleasant due to the heavy crowds. Instead, we visited in the fall on another trip, and were practically the only ones there! It was a unique experience, to say the least.
TL;DR
Road Tripping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula offers a wide range of experiences, from hearing the roaring sound of water falling at Tahquamenon Falls State Park to the breathtaking cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, city slicking in Marquette, and taking in the serene beauty of Kitch-Iti-Kipi. Whether you’re seeking challenging trails or easy walks with stunning views, the UP has something for every outdoorist. The trails of the UP offer a great way to explore the region's natural beauty but also offer moments of peace and connection with nature that are truly unforgettable. So lace up your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and hit the road for an adventure you won’t soon forget.
