Exploring the Great Lakes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is defined by water. Three of the five Great Lakes — Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron — shape its geography, its history and the way people experience the outdoors here. These lakes are not only impressive by size, but also by the diversity of landscapes and activities they offer year-round.

From kayaking past towering sandstone cliffs to watching a freighter pass through the Straits of Mackinac, the Great Lakes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offer distinct and memorable experiences for every traveler.

Lake Superior: Remote Beauty and Wild Adventure

Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, defines the Upper Peninsula’s northern border with rugged terrain, majestic cliffs and refreshing breezes. It’s a lake that inspires adventure, creativity and a sense of awe that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Munising is one of the best-known access points to Lake Superior, serving as the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Here, visitors can explore 42 miles of shoreline by hiking, paddling or taking a scenic boat tour. The colorful sandstone cliffs, caves and beaches are some of the most photographed places in the U.P.

Further west, Marquette blends natural beauty with cultural energy. It’s a hub for hiking and biking near the lakeshore, as well as swimming at locations like McCarty’s Cove and Little Presque Isle. Don't miss the iconic Marquette Ore Dock, a reminder of the region’s iron mining legacy.

Northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Whitefish Point is known for its shipwreck history and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. It’s also one of the best birding spots in the Midwest, especially during spring and fall migrations.

At the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Copper Harbor provides a memorable vantage point on Lake Superior. This small town is known for its striking landscapes, with forested trails, rocky shorelines and elevated views that stretch for miles. From the summit of Brockway Mountain Drive, visitors can take in panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding terrain, especially vibrant during the fall color season. The area also serves as a base for outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking and paddling along the northern coast.

Copper Harbor is also a departure point for ferry service to Isle Royale National Park, the only island within the Great Lakes designated as a national park. Accessible by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale offers a remote and immersive experience filled with dense forests, quiet trails and miles of shoreline. It's a destination for those looking to explore one of the most isolated and rewarding wilderness areas in the Great Lakes region.

Each season brings something different to Lake Superior. Spring reveals rushing waterfalls, summer offers clear, cool water for paddling and rockhounding, fall lights up the forests with brilliant color and winter transforms the coast into a world of ice formations and snow-covered trails.

Lake Michigan: Historic Towns and Accessible Sandy Shorelines

Along the Upper Peninsula’s southern edge, Lake Michigan offers a gentler landscape, with broad sandy beaches, family-friendly parks and historic towns that invite exploration.

In addition to its great beaches, Escanaba is well known for its fishing opportunities, especially on the Bays de Noc. Anglers travel here for walleye and smallmouth bass, but the city also offers excellent waterfront parks, dining and museums. In nearby Gladstone, visitors can enjoy quiet beaches, scenic walking trails and welcoming picnic areas.

Traveling east, Manistique is home to a scenic boardwalk and the historic Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse. Just south of town, Fayette Historic State Park preserves the ruins of a 19th-century iron-smelting village, a fascinating blend of industrial history and natural shoreline beauty.

Drivers along US-2, which hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline, are treated to a series of roadside beach pull-offs with soft sand and sweeping lake views. These beaches are easy to access and offer a perfect place to stop for a picnic, a swim or a sunset photo. Further east, the Cut River Bridge provides a unique scenic stop. From the roadside parking area, visitors can walk out onto the bridge for a dramatic view of Lake Michigan and the forested gorge below, then follow a wooden staircase and trail that winds down to the shoreline for a quiet stroll along the lake.

Lake Michigan is especially inviting in summer, with its warmer water temperatures and calm surf. Spring and fall bring excellent conditions for hiking and birdwatching, while winter draws ice fishers and snowmobilers to the Little Bays de Noc.

Lake Huron: Maritime History and Island Exploration

Lake Huron, lining the southeastern coast of the Upper Peninsula, is known for its calm waters, sheltered archipelagos and excellent opportunities for paddling, boating and fishing.

St. Ignace sits just north of the Mackinac Bridge and offers a mix of Native American heritage, maritime history and convenient access to Mackinac Island. It also offers easy access to nearby Straits State Park, along with the town’s waterfront shops and restaurants.

Further east, Cedarville and the surrounding Les Cheneaux Islands are ideal for kayaking and sailing. These 36 small islands form a natural barrier that creates smooth, protected waterways perfect for paddlers of all skill levels. Marinas offer access to charming summer cottages, quiet coves and annual events like the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show.

DeTour Village, located near the easternmost point of the Upper Peninsula, provides ferry access to Drummond Island, an outdoor recreation destination known for its ORV trails, golf, secluded shoreline and numerous nature preserves. Anglers travel to the waters around Drummond for excellent smallmouth bass, northern pike and trout fishing.

Like the other lakes, Huron changes character with the seasons. Spring brings migrating birds to protected marshlands. Summer is ideal for boating, paddling and fishing. Fall delivers quiet walks beneath changing leaves. In winter, the shoreline offers solitude for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Year-Round Activities Across All Three Lakes

The Great Lakes surrounding Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offer more than breathtaking views—they invite you to get out and experience their power, beauty and variety in every season.

These waters support an incredible year-round fishery and are a playground for water lovers of all kinds. Whether you’re paddling a quiet bay, sailing between islands, cruising along the open coast or even catching a few waves on a windy day, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the water. Calm mornings are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, while kayaking and boating reveal hidden coves, dramatic bluffs and awe-inspiring views of the shoreline.

In winter, the lakes transform dramatically. Ice-coated cliffs, frozen spray and—when conditions allow—ice caves along Grand Island reveal a wilder, more sculpted beauty. And in every season, the northern lights may grace the night sky, especially along Lake Superior’s darker shores.

Rockhounding is a favorite shoreline activity, especially along the rugged beaches of Lake Superior, where colorful stones and unique geological finds are waiting to be discovered.

Scenic roadside pull-offs and overlooks dot the coastlines, offering easy access to unforgettable views. And throughout the region, welcoming shoreline towns provide places to dine, shop and stay, just steps from the lakes that shape them.

Plan Your Visit

To make the most of your trip, consider planning around the experiences that matter most to you: sunset strolls on sandy beaches, ferry rides to remote islands or the thrill of spotting the northern lights over a quiet bay. With so much variety packed into one region, you’ll want to give yourself time to explore more than one lake or community.

Summer and fall are especially popular, so booking lodging early is recommended, particularly near high-demand areas like Munising, Copper Harbor and the Les Cheneaux Islands. Many towns offer cozy stays just steps from the water, making it easy to start your mornings lakeside and end your days with small-town charm.

Start mapping out your route, mark those must-see overlooks and shoreline trails, and get ready to experience the Great Lakes in a way that’s uniquely U.P.