Your Ultimate Cool-Cation

One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to cool off in the U.P. is to hit the beach and there are a lot to choose from. With shorelines on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, plus thousands of inland lakes, you’re never far from a place to swim, sunbathe or search for colorful stones. The variety is part of the appeal: some beaches are soft and sandy, others rocky and wild. Some are quiet and hidden, others are near parks and playgrounds.

Lake Superior Beaches

Known for its beauty and cold, invigorating water, Lake Superior delivers dramatic shorelines and an experience like no other. Even in peak summer, the lake stays cool, rarely surpassing the low 60s, making it a natural air conditioner on warmer days.

• Black River Harbor Recreation Area (Bessemer)
• Black Rocks Beach, McCarty’s Cove & South Beach (Marquette)
• Brimley State Park Beach (Brimley)
• F.J. McLain State Park (Hancock)
• Hunter’s Point Park (Copper Harbor)
• Little Girl's Point (Ironwood)
• Twelve Mile Beach (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
• Whitefish Point (Paradise)

Lake Michigan Beaches

The southern edge of the U.P. is lined with Lake Michigan’s golden-sand beaches, where the water is warmer and the waves are perfect for swimming and floating. These beaches are ideal for family outings, picnics and spending a full day in and out of the water.

• Gladstone Beach (Gladstone)
• John Henes Park (Menominee)
• Lake Michigan Beach (Brevort)
• Ludington Park (Escanaba)
• Sand Dunes Beach (Moran)
• Stonington Peninsula Monarch Butterfly & Fossil Beach

Lake Huron Beaches

Lake Huron’s coastline in the Upper Peninsula offers a unique mix of open water, sheltered bays and island-dotted views. It’s a place where you can skip rocks along beaches, hunt for puddingstones in the shallows or catch sight of sailboats weaving through the Les Cheneaux Islands. With easy access points and fewer crowds, it’s a shoreline made for wandering, pausing and enjoying the little moments that make summer memorable.

• Big Shoal Bay Beach (Drummond Island)
• DeTour State Park (DeTour Village)
• Drummond Island Township Park
• Glen Cove Beach (Drummond Island)
• Hessel Park Beach
• Huron Beach (St. Ignace)

4,300 Inland Lakes

As you wander through the interior wilderness of the U.P., you can find thousands of inland lake beaches. These waters are warmer than the Great Lakes for swimming and water sports, reaching temperatures in the mid-70s in July and August. Here are a few favorites to jump in!

• Lake Gogebic (Marenisco/Bergland)
• Cisco Chain of Lakes (Watersmeet)
• Lake Michigamme (Champion)
• Manistique Lakes (Curtis)

Few places offer as many ways to get on the water or into it as Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You can paddle beneath the colorful cliffs of Pictured Rocks or take a boat tour to admire them. Drift through the sheltered channels of the Les Cheneaux Islands by kayak or sailboat or cast a line into the Escanaba Big or Little Bays de Noc for walleye or the Two Hearted or Sturgeon Rivers, known for their excellent trout and salmon fishing. For thrill seekers, whitewater rafting at Piers Gorge provides an exhilarating ride through churning rapids. 

Prefer a slower pace? Explore shipwrecks while scuba diving in Munising, Drummond Island, or Whitefish Bay or catch a ferry to one of the region’s unforgettable islands. Mackinac Island blends history with horse-drawn carriage and bicycle rides, Grand Island offers scenic trails and sandstone cliffs, Copper Harbor is perfect for quiet exploration, Drummond Island welcomes off-road and nature enthusiasts and Isle Royale National Park delivers a remote wilderness escape unlike any other.

Hiking in the Upper Peninsula offers more than just exercise. It engages your senses — the scent of pine, the sound of wind in the trees and the rhythm of your footsteps on packed earth. Trails lead through dense forests, along rivers and ridgelines and to overlooks with sweeping views of lakes and valleys. Thanks to the region’s naturally cooler climate, it’s comfortable to explore even in the height of summer. 

• Canyon Gorge Trail — Easy (L’Anse)
• Chapel Falls to Chapel Beach Trail — Moderate (Pictured Rocks)
• Escarpment Trail — Hard (Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park)
• Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary — Moderate (Copper Harbor)
• Greenstone Ridge Trail — Hard (Isle Royale)
• Piers Gorge Trail — Moderate (Norway)
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park Trail — Moderate (Paradise)

The Upper Peninsula has gained recognition as a biking destination for good reason. With everything from paved rail trails to world-class mountain biking. Cool summer temperatures make even long rides comfortable and many trail systems offer scenic views or hidden gems along the way. Some trails run through towns, others through wilderness, but all offer a ride you’ll remember.

• Copper Harbor Trails — IMBA Silver Level Ride Center
• Days River Pathway Trail — Moderate (Gladstone)
• Iron Belle Trail — Easy to Hard (U.P.-wide)
• Noquemanon Trail Network — IMBA Epic Trail (Marquette)
• North Country National Scenic Trail — Select bike-friendly segments

For those who crave adrenaline, the U.P.’s ORV trail network delivers. You can explore paths through deep woods, pass old mining sites or stop at remote lakes rarely seen by others. These trails aren’t just routes, they’re adventures that connect riders to the wild side of Michigan.

With roads that hug lake cliffs, curve through forest canopies and open up to sweeping valleys, a scenic drive can be a highlight of your trip. Pull over for lighthouses, waterfalls, roadside parks and plenty of photo ops. These drives are perfect for lazy afternoons or full-day loops.

• Brockway Mountain Drive (Copper Harbor)
• Black River National Scenic Byway
• Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway
• M-35 between Menominee and Escanaba
• U.S. 2 between St. Ignace and Epoufette

Descend into the depths of the U.P.’s history on a mine tour and enjoy the added benefit of year-round cool temperatures around 43°F (6°C). These underground excursions are fascinating, educational and refreshing on hot days. Learn how iron and copper shaped the region and see what life was like for miners who worked far below the surface.

The Upper Peninsula is a living history lesson and its stories are preserved in well-curated museums and historic sites across the region. Step into a 19th-century fort, explore a maritime lighthouse or tour a ghost town where iron once ruled the day. Most sites are indoors or offer shaded grounds, making them perfect for curious travelers and families seeking a cultural change of pace during their Cool-Cation.

It’s not summer without ice cream and the U.P. takes this sweet treat seriously. Stop into roadside dairies, classic parlors and local favorites to sample Michigan-made flavors that reflect the region’s personality, like Blue Moon, Yooper Tracks and Mackinac Island Fudge. 

• Molly Moo’s (St. Ignace)
• Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore (Munising)
• Mama Cow’s (Chatham)
• Moofinfries (Naubinway)
• Daisy Jo’s (Gwinn)
• Yoop-Phoria, Donckers & Jilbert Dairy (Marquette)
• Jim’s Dari-Kreme (Escanaba)
• Ben’s Place (Ironwood)
• Zak & Mac's (Sault Ste. Marie & St. Ignace)
• Northwood’s General Store (Wakefield)

Raise a glass to your U.P. adventures at one of the many local wineries, breweries or distilleries. These establishments often feature outdoor patios, tasting rooms and seasonal events. Many beverages are made from locally sourced ingredients. It’s a laid-back way to experience U.P. hospitality and craftsmanship.

Explore the character of the U.P. through its shops and markets. Walk through small-town streets and browse boutiques, art galleries and gift shops filled with local creations. At farmers’ markets, you’ll find fresh produce, baked goods, meats, jams and more, perfect for road trip snacks or lakeside meals.

After the sun sets, a different kind of magic fills the sky. The U.P. is known for its low light pollution and clear skies, making it an ideal spot for stargazing. On some nights, you might even see the Northern Lights shimmer above Lake Superior. Bring a blanket, lie back and take in a sky full of stars.

Whether you’re watching waves roll in from Lake Superior, hiking through old-growth forests or gazing up at the night's sky, you’ll understand why a Cool-Cation feels so different — and so rewarding.

With all this natural beauty and adventure, summer is a popular time to visit, so book your stay early. Choose from cozy cabins, rustic lodges, charming B&Bs or modern hotels. Use destinations like Marquette, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie, Houghton or Munising as your basecamp and explore from there.

Start planning now and let the Upper Peninsula be the coolest part of your summer.