Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Where to Go and What to Do

With a drive time of at least 6 hours from east to west, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is vast, and best visited in sections. To that end, we’ve organized a guide with some of the best activities in the most popular areas to stay—Munising, Marquette, and Houghton. In order to minimize drive time, book separate lodgings, and plan on spending no less than 2-3 days in each area to explore in depth. Wherever you choose to stay, expect gorgeous bays, lighthouses, waterfalls, and rugged coastline.

There’s a few options for taking in the coastline views in the area, including guided boat and kayak tours, or hiking the numerous trails throughout the park, one of the most popular being the Chapel Loop. This 4 hour, 10 mile hike traverses some of the best rock formations on Lake Superior’s coast, as well as passing along Mosquito Beach and Chapel Beach and their respectively named waterfalls.

One of the best waterfalls at Pictured Rocks, a short mile-long hike takes you to this 50 foot cascade in the forest. The overlook platform provides a clear view, but if you want to get closer, you can also do a short, steep scramble to the base of the waterfall using the rope next to the viewing platform.

Downtown Marquette contains a host of gems, not least of which is Presque Isle Park, a small, forested peninsula at the edge of the city with great views of Lake Superior and the popular Black Rocks, a basalt rock formation estimated at 1.7 billion years old and a popular spot for cliff jumping. The city also has two massive ore docks, an overlook at Mount Marquette, and the beautiful Marquette Harbor Lighthouse perched near the edge of the bay.

Just outside the city, Sugarloaf Mountain has 360 degree views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area. It’s free to park & visit, and only about a 20 minute walk to the top. Nearby Hogback Mountain has similar views with a longer & more strenuous trail through forest to the summit, taking about 2-3 hours round trip to complete.

Three for the price of one? This free waterfall in Hubbell, near Houghton, is actually 3 distinct cascades, with the tallest measuring about 50 feet. They’re spread out along the length of its 1.9 mile trail downstream along Dover Creek.

The exterior grounds of this lighthouse located in Eagle Harbor are free and open year-round, although the parking lot is closed in winter. Guided tours of the tower, living quarters, and a few museums are available mid-June through early October for a small fee.

This scenic 9 mile drive between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor is free, has multiple parking areas, and provides panoramic views of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula. There’s also trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Michigan,” this waterfall is about 45 minutes south of Houghton along the Sturgeon River and a short half-mile walk from the parking lot. Continue on for views along the gorge, resulting in a total round trip length of about 4 miles. If you happen to be driving between Houghton and Marquette, this trail is directly on route, so don’t miss it.