The Ultimate List of Free Spring Things To See and Do in the Upper Peninsula

Black River National Scenic Byway and Ottawa National Forest

A series of five gorgeous waterfalls — Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone and Rainbow — are along the Black River National Scenic Byway in the Ottawa National Forest.​ Some parts of the forest require a day-use pass, but check this landing page for free-entry days. 

Bond Falls Scenic Site

One of the most impressive waterfalls in the western U.P. (and the Midwest), Bond Falls Scenic Site features a wide, 50-foot drop over volcanic rock. A boardwalk trail provides excellent access and views. You can park and visit at no cost with a current Michigan Recreation Passport.

Brockway Mountain Drive

Ascending this scenic mountain drive near Copper Harbor will wow you every time. You will pull off several times as you make your way to the 1,230-foot peak, gazing at and taking photos of Lake Superior and the greening valley vistas below. ​

Canyon Falls

Often called the "Grand Canyon of the U.P.," this waterfall features a deep gorge and is accessible via a 1-mile trail from a roadside park.​ Beyond the main falls, the river weaves through rapids and smaller drops, each adding to the captivating soundscape. As you venture further, the sheer scale of the gorge widens to a mile and plunges 300 feet deep!

Visit More Western U.P. Waterfalls

Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw

Housed in a historic 1909 library, this museum features rotating exhibits on regional history, natural sciences and local culture. Admission is free, however, donations are welcome.

Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary

Near Copper Harbor, this sanctuary protects one of Michigan's last stands of old-growth white pines. Two loop trails will bring you to hundreds of 300 to 500-year-old white pines measuring anywhere from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, and one is 125 feet tall! It’s a premier birdwatching destination, too, during the spring migration.

Lake of the Clouds

Keep your camera ready! This remote glacial lake is one of the most stunning sights in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Hike or drive to a spectacular lookout accessible via a short woodland trail or the ADA access trail. You will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter Michigan’s largest state park. 

Michigan Iron Industry Museum

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee overlooks the Carp River and the site of the region’s first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. This modern museum facility and outdoor interpretive trail signs tell the fascinating story of Michigan’s three iron ranges and the people who worked in them. Admission to the museum is free, but you will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to park your vehicle. 

Mount Arvon

Mount Arvon is Michigan's highest natural point at 1,979 feet. It is in the Huron Mountains. You can reach it via forest roads and a short hike to the summit.​

Redridge Steel Dam

Built in 1901 on the Salmon Trout River to power copper mills on the western side of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Redridge Dam is one of the few remaining steel dams in the U.S. In the spring after the snow melts, the dam creates a thundering, human-constructed waterfall.

Summit Peak Overlook

Another great use of your Michigan Recreation Passport is to visit the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. A short but steep trail leads to the Summit Peak Observation Tower with breathtaking views from nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. On clear days, you can see expansive views of Lake Superior with the Apostle Islands to the northwest and Isle Royale to the northeast!

Big Spring: Kitch-iti-kipi

Near Manistique, Kitch-iti-kipi is one of the most mystical spots in the U.P. The Ojibwa discovered this ancient spring and named it the “Mirror of Heaven.” It is Michigan’s largest spring at 200 feet across and 40 feet deep. A self-operated observation raft glides you over teal-colored water so you can look down into the ethereal depths. You will be mesmerized by the clouds of sand swirling around the constantly gushing spring and the large brown trout swimming around the raft. It is in Palms Book State Park, so you will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to park your vehicle. 

Fayette Historic State Park and Townsite

Located on the Garden Peninsula, Fayette Historic State Park preserves a 19th-century iron smelting townsite overlooking Snail Shell Harbor. Visitors can learn about the town’s industrial past through interpretive signage. The limestone bluffs bordering the harbor have cedars over 1,000 years old. Many say the view rivals Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Parking requires a Michigan Recreational Passport.

Fumee Lake Natural Area

Open year-round, the Fumee Lake Natural Area lies just off U.S.-2, west of Norway and east of Quinnesec. This non-motorized recreation area delights hikers, bikers, bird-watchers and nature photographers. Naturalists thrill at spotting rare or threatened species such as bald eagles, common loons, 19 species of orchids, walking fern, purple cliff-brake and marsh grass-of-Parnassus.

Grand Island Harbor Scenic Turnout

This overlook along M-28 near Munising offers panoramic views of Lake Superior and the forested cliffs of Grand Island. A short walkway leads to a viewing platform with interpretive signs and stunning photo ops. You can picnic here, too.

Iron Ore Heritage Trail

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is a 47-mile multi-use trail connecting Marquette to Republic. It crosses the Marquette Iron Range and showcases the region's mining history with interpretive signs and scenic views.​

Lakenenland Sculpture Park

Lakenenland Sculpture Park is one of the most beloved attractions in the Upper Peninsula. Follow a winding road through the woods to see over 100 of Tom Lakenen’s whimsical, colorful and sometimes "tell it like it is" metal art sculptures. The park also features a bog walk, a massive timbered framed pavilion, two fishing ponds, a playground and two entertainment stages. 

Lower Harbor Ore Dock 

An iconic structure near downtown Marquette, this 1,000-foot dock was built in 1931 to load iron ore on Great Lakes freighters. No longer in service, it is a favorite photo op. 

Manistique Boardwalk & Lighthouse

Stretching almost two miles along Lake Michigan, the Manistique Boardwalk offers scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse, picnic spots and beach access.

Morgan Falls

For a rejuvenating moment in nature, drive two miles south of Marquette to Morgan Falls, where Morgan Creek tumbles 20 feet into the Carp River. The cascading falls are a stone’s throw from the parking lot.

Peninsula Point Lighthouse

This 1864 lighthouse sits at the southern tip of the Stonington Peninsula, offering sweeping views where Lake Michigan meets Big Bay de Noc. The lighthouse grounds are free to explore and in summer, visitors can climb the restored tower for panoramic lake vistas. It's also a prime spring stopover for migratory birds.

Piers Gorge Trail

Near Norway, the Menominee River flowing through Piers Gorge roars and churns wildly in the spring. The trail take you to several overlooks where you can watch gutsy whitewater rafters and kayakers ride the rapids.

Pine Mountain Ski Jump & U.P. Veterans Memorial and Park

The Pine Mountain Ski Jump is open year-round. This artificial ski jump is renowned throughout the world as one of the highest ski jumps on Earth. For over 70 years, up to 200,000 spectators have paid to watch the Kiwanis Ski Club’s annual FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup in February. Here, you will also find the U.P. Veterans Memorial and Park, providing a place to honor veterans while also showcasing the expansive beauty of the region.

But throughout the year, visitors can climb the ​​Pine Mountain Steps for free, the largest outdoor staircase in the United States. 500 concrete stairs take you a half-mile straight up from the base of the giant Pine Mountain Ski Jump. In August, a stair-climbing race draws participants from all over the United States. 

Presque Isle Park and Trails

A network of well-maintained trails in this Marquette park caters to hikers, bikers, birdwatchers and nature photographers in the spring. The dense forests, rocky bluffs, sandy beaches and the historic Presque Isle Breakwater Light make this a favorite with families and outdoor enthusiasts. Pick up food and drinks downtown and enjoy a picnic breakfast, lunch or dinner while visiting the park — the scenery is spectacular.

Scott Falls

You can spot Scott Falls as you drive along M-28. It is directly across from the entrance to Au Train Beach, with parking nearby. Spring is when it has the highest water flow. If you’re an explorer at heart, look for the secret trail behind the falls and enjoy an adventurous hike!

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

If you find joy in spying on birds, wildlife and their young offspring in their natural habitat, spring is the time to visit Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The 95,238-acre wilderness is home to a variety of species in the refuge’s forests, marshes, pools, creeks, rivers and bogs. Whether you would like to drive the self-guided auto tour, stop by the Visitor Center, walk the trails, go fishing, take photographs, canoe or kayak, you will find adventure from dawn to dusk.

Wagner Falls Scenic Site

This picturesque waterfall is 1.5 miles south of Munising. You can easily access the observation platform by following a short gravel trail and boardwalk.

Cut River Bridge and Roadside Park

The Cut River Bridge on U.S. 2 near Epoufette spans a 147-foot-deep gorge and offers dramatic views of Lake Michigan and the Cut River below. Walking paths on both sides of the bridge lead to forested trails and a steep staircase down to the beach. It’s an unforgettable roadside stop.

De Tour Peninsula Nature Preserve

Immerse yourself in the rich natural diversity of this 145-acre preserve at the tip of a peninsula jutting into Lake Huron. It is on a major bird migration path and its sand and gravel beach, limestone cobble shore, boreal forest and conifer swamp and emerging marsh and coastal fen are home to many plants, animals, birds and insects. A two-track road that runs through the preserve is open to foot traffic. 

Mission Hill Cemetery Scenic Outlook 

This popular Brimley outlook offers panoramic views from a high bluff of Monocle Lake, Lake Superior and the distant Canadian highlands. The Monocle Lake Trail takes you to a scenic section of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Point Iroquois Light Station

Located in Brimley along Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay, this historic lighthouse was active from 1857 to 1962 and helped guide ships between the Soo Locks and open water. It gained its name from a battle that took place in 1662 between the local Ojibwa (also known as the Chippewa or Anishinaabeg) and an invading Iroquois war party. The Ojibwa prevailed and the Iroquois stopped their western movement. This site is a favorite for rock and fossil hunting and freighter watching.

Soo Locks Observation Deck

This engineering marvel is in Sault Ste. Marie, this deck allows visitors to watch domestic and international ships navigate the locks on the St. Marys River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.​ Roughly 7,000 vessels make that passage between mid-March and mid-January. It’s a repeat-visit destination for any Eastern U.P. itinerary.

St. Anthony’s Rock 

A pocket park in downtown St. Ignace provides an excellent view of St. Anthony’s Rock. It is a striking limestone sea stack estimated to have formed 350 million years ago by glacial meltwater and erosion. It is similar to the geology of Mackinac Island, except it is landlocked. Stop and read the interpretive signage and then sit and enjoy an ice cream or decadent fudge at one of the park’s benches or picnic tables. 

Straits State Park

Overlooking the Mackinac Bridge in St. Ignace, this park offers scenic viewing platforms and picnic areas (grab takeout food when you are downtown). Besides photo ops of one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, the park houses the Father Marquette National Memorial (closed until July 2026 for planned enhancements). Entry to the park requires a Michigan Recreational Passport.

Tahquamenon Falls

Near Paradise, these falls feature two distinct areas: the powerful Upper Falls, nearly 200 feet wide and 50 feet tall and the cascading Lower Falls, a series of five smaller drops surrounding an island. Trails, boardwalks and viewing platforms connect both sections, offering dramatic views, especially during spring melt. This incredible park makes it well worth purchasing a Michigan Recreational Passport so you can visit it and other state parks in the U.P. 

Chief Wawatam Park and Lighthouse

In St. Ignace, this lighthouse was originally built in 1998 for the Michigan Welcome Center in Monroe, MI, and was moved in 2006 to its current location near the downtown boardwalk. It now serves as a navigation aid and is a popular photo spot. Kids love the splash pad in the nearby park, and anglers head to the fishing platform in the spring. There are also picnic tables and benches to make this a great relaxation destination.

Whitefish Point

This exposed, wave-battered point near Paradise is known for the shipwrecks off its Lake Superior coast. But it is also a haven for spring migrating birds. The museum grounds, stony beach and bird observation trail are free; however, there is a fee to visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

William B. Derby Nature Preserve

Covering 207 acres just outside Cedarville, this preserve features over a mile of Lake Huron frontage and a forest of cedar trees and giant moss-covered boulders. Because the rocks are largely limestone/dolomite, many have nurse trees growing from them (similar to those on the cliffs around Snail Shell Harbor in Fayette). It is one of the most magical places to hike with your kids.