Summer may seem far off, but now is the best time to plan your vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Making lodging or campground reservations for the summer dates you want is more important than ever. That’s because people across America are discovering how beautiful and full of adventure this wilderness gem is. And they’ve already made plans to come!

The Upper Peninsula offers many must-see summer destinations

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Drive 1,700 miles along three scenic Great Lakes coasts — Huron, Michigan and Superior. Visit dozens of historic lighthouses. Gather up colorful agates, puddingstones and beach glass from uncrowded beaches. Explore the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Take a ferry to islands steeped in history and nature-inspired adventures, including the wildly remote and incredibly popular Isle Royale National Park. Book this trip well in advance as the lodge there books up a year out!

Or look for wildlife as you paddle rivers and lakes. Listen to the rushing water at over 300 waterfalls. Hear haunting shipwreck stories. Traverse trails up mountains and through forests on foot, bike or off-road vehicle. Then, gather for food and handcrafted beers, wines and ciders before resting up for more fun tomorrow. 

The weather is warm enough to enjoy the water, but not so unbearably hot that you hide in air-conditioned rooms. This is a season filled with family memories — destination weddings, anniversary celebrations and family reunions. Cliff jump off Black Rocks, go golfing, dance at music festivals, go boutique shopping and gallery hopping, or tell spine-chilling stories around beach bonfires. At day’s end, plan to stop everything to watch the sun set in blazing glory.

Start planning your vacation today

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Of course, you don’t have to wait for summer to go outside and play in the U.P. Visit uptravel.com and plan your spring vacation, too!

Use our Plan Your Trip page to find trip tips, ideas, transportation information, travel guides and more. Then, book your visit soon!

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We would love to see your favorite summer scenes and adventures! Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. You can also upload your photos to our Summer Photo Crowdriff Collector below.