In a tech-fueled world full of overstimulation, stress and social noise, it is no surprise one of the fastest-growing vacation trends is silent travel. We crave quiet and a break from the digital-driven routines. But finding it isn’t easy.
Few places rival Michigan’s premier place for silent travel — the Upper Peninsula. It is the gateway to tranquility, inner peace and feeling deeply alive. Cross over the Mackinac Bridge or the Wisconsin border and let our rejuvenating silence wash over you.
Benefits of Silent Travel | Where to Find Quiet | Quick Guide to Silent Travel | Where to Stay
THE BENEFITS OF SILENT TRAVEL IN THE U.P.
Silence is not a fleeting moment in the Upper Peninsula. It is a pervasive, profound experience that disconnects you from your digital tech and connects you with nature and yourself.
This silence is not just golden, it is therapeutic. Studies show that spending time in quiet, natural settings that abound here clears cluttered minds or slows racing brains. It heightens the mindfulness of your surroundings and gives you space to breathe, think and sleep more soundly.
Traveling silently in the U.P., you are keenly aware of the sights and sounds you rarely see and hear — the whispering wind in the white pines, Lake Superior waves lapping over colorful stones, the brilliant wildflowers, intricate leaf patterns, the haunting call of a loon from across still waters and shooting stars blazing unheard overhead.
This intentional time reduces stress and leaves you with a sense of peace. It lets you reflect and be introspective and inspires personal growth, clarity and self-discovery. Silent travel also fosters creativity and enhances problem-solving abilities. It’s no wonder artists, writers, musicians and innovators have traveled to the U.P. for centuries to find their voices.
WHERE TO FIND QUIET
The U.P. is ideal for silent travel from Drummond Island to Ironwood. Even in our busiest towns or on bustling Mackinac Island, solitude awaits. Below are suggestions for where your silent travels can take you.
HIKE IN OUR UNTAMED WILDERNESS YEAR-ROUND
It’s always hiking season in the U.P. thanks to a wide variety of terrain and thousands of trail miles, hiking is a silent activity anyone can enjoy. Some trails are wheelchair-accessible, others are ultra-rugged and take every ounce of grit to complete them. The U.P.’s trails offer privacy thanks to low traffic. Your boots can take you to hundreds of waterfalls, mountain tops, historic sites and stunning Great Lakes vistas. When hiking during the fall, prepare to stop repeatedly in your tracks, awed by the colorful foliage.
RELAX ON SECLUDED BEACHES
While very few of our beaches are ever crowded, some are at the top of silent travelers’ lists. Add to your places to clear your mind and lift your spirits, Agate Beach, Bete Grise Beach, Lake Michigan Campground in Brevort, Sac Bay County Park, Sand Point Beach and Twelvemile Beach.
PADDLE PICTURED ROCKS AND ON STILL WATERS
Paddling isn’t really a silent sport in the U.P. You’ll hear the thunder of waterfalls, rush of rapids, splash of leaping fish or howl of wolves as you ply our waters. Yet even those sounds increase your mindfulness and refresh your spirit. Gliding silently by Pictured Rocks’ colorful sandstone cliffs fills your heart with exhilarating joy. Or sitting in your kayak in the profound stillness of a misty, mirror-smooth lake bathes every fiber of your being in calmness.
VISIT REMOTE LIGHTHOUSES
For an unforgettable silent travel experience, visit the U.P.’s historic lighthouses along Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. These silent sentinels provide a quiet place to walk, reflect and gather stones. Some of the most peaceful destinations are Crisp Point Lighthouse, Grand Island East Channel Light, Isle Royale Passage Island Lighthouse, Ontonagon Lighthouse and Peninsula Point Lighthouse.
STARGAZE AT KEWEENAW DARK SKY PARK
The U.P.’s inky black skies make it easy to see a swath of stars on clear nights. Lake Superior’s horizons present some of the best Northern Lights shows on the planet. But the premier place to stargaze is at the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This vast window into the universe will leave you speechless.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI, SNOWSHOE OR FAT TIRE BIKE IN WINTER
These are our top three silent winter sports. Thousands of miles of designated trails envelop you in glistening quiet. Snow naturally absorbs sounds, and more snow falls here than just about anywhere in the Midwest.
Here’s where to find quiet adventures:
Best Places to Cross-Country Ski in the U.P.
QUICK GUIDE TO SILENT TRAVEL
Unless you make time daily to be quiet or meditative, going on a silent vacation takes preparation. Here’s a quick guide:
BEFORE YOU GO
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Read Know Before You Go to learn what to wear, what essentials to pack and ways to safeguard our beloved land and water.
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Bring a journal and writing instruments to record your thoughts, observations and feelings. It is a very reflective time.
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Pack meditation aids if meditating is part of your silent travel plans. Pack a meditation cushion, prayer beads and soothing music with earbuds or headphones so you won’t disturb others' silence.
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Minimize technology. It is practical, especially in the U.P., to carry a smartphone. However, switch it to airplane mode or do not disturb mode to avoid distractions. Bring a camera to capture moments you want to keep, but without being an intrusion in the reflective experience.
LEAVE AT HOME
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Non-essential electronics such as laptops, tablets and other connective digital devices.
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Entertainment distractions. Limit how many books, magazines or games you bring.
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Work-related distractions. One of the biggest distractions on silent vacations is work. Try to leave it behind physically and mentally. Let co-workers and clients know you won’t be checking your emails or taking work calls except during short, designated times during the day or night.
PREPARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY
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Take time before you break your routine to determine your intentions. Is it to find peace of mind, clarity or digitally detox?
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Practice mindfulness for several days or weeks before you go. Do mindful breathing, yoga, observe your thoughts without judgment and spend time away from distractions in silence.
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Establish a daily routine for your silent travels. Your plan doesn’t have to be hard and fast, but some structure will help you gain the most from your time away. Plan to walk or do some exercise, eat, reflect and rest each day.
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Be emotionally ready. Extended periods of solitude and silence can sometimes surface uncomfortable emotions and thoughts. This is natural, so strategize how to manage these feelings.
- Let go of expectations. This can be the most difficult, yet the greatest reward of silent travel. Be ready to accept that not all days will be insightful. Your transformation may happen slowly. That’s okay. Allow each day’s experiences to unfold naturally. It’s what the U.P. has done for eons.
PLAN TO STAY A WHILE
Carefully consider where you will stay near your silent activities. Most hotels are quiet in our small, uncrowded towns. Or stay in resorts by the water, deep into the woods or on remote islands. Some silent traveler favorites are Drummond Island Resort, Furnace Hill Lodge at Fayette Historic State Park, Garden Grove Retreat in Garden, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, Mount Bohemia Adventure Resort in Lac La Belle, Rock Harbor Lodge on Isle Royale, Superior Shores Resort near the Porcupine Mountains and Thousand Island Resort in Watersmeet.
Many lodgings and camping sites are open all year, but summer is busy, so make your reservations early to get the lodging, amenities, rate and quiet you seek.
We look forward to sharing our silence with you soon.
SHARE WITH US
We would love to see photos from your silent travels! 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 CrowdRiff Collector below.