Upper Peninsula MI Trip

[Kountry_star]

Wow!! All the folks coming up here this summer think we'll head South and avoid the crowds. We've lived in the middle of the UP (Gwinn) for 30 plus years now. Settled here after 20 years in the Air Force. I'm originally from a small mountain town in CO. One of the few that love the MILD winters up here. Lots of snow and "stuff" to do all winter LONG. Normally moderate temps. If you have the time. Take US 41 to the top of the Keweenaw (Long Day trip from Marquette). There are two RV parks in the Copper Harbor, a private and a State Park. Return from the End/Beginning of US41 on highway 26 along the Lake Superior shore line going south past Eagle Harbor and Eagle River. Lots of sites to see going up and back down. Better to have a couple of days but can see a lot of pretty country in a long day. Camping also available in Houghton / Hancock and Baraga. Enjoy

[ftodaro]

Wanted to throw my name in and follow along. I was looking into doing a trip this summer. We are into Hiking so any comments for Hiking would be appreciated. Sorry to barge in.

[Mamajay]

So many great suggestions! We stumbled onto the RV park at the Island Resort and Casino on Rt. 2 near Harris just west of Escanaba. Absolutely beautiful. (My husband gambled and I did the laundry!) Don't forget to stop at Kitchi-iti-kipi Spring at the Palms Book State Park. Enjoy!

[Taboldt]

There are 300 waterfalls across the UP. Best seen in May and June. Haven’t camped there, so I can give any advice there. But Copper Harbor is a most see , it has a incredible overview that makes a great sunrise viewing. Dinner atThe Haus, is not to be missed. The view with food that you would expect to have in downtown Chicago!!

[ropech]

Will be following along too. We will be going through the UP this summer on our way out to Minot, ND for the FMCA rally in August. Thanks for all the great tips on things to see and places to stay.

[Penguin30]

Stop in Mackinaw City to tour the retired USCG Icebreaker Mackinaw. Then At the SOO eat at the Antlers....enjoy the trip....

[De F]

Originally Posted by wetseal40

Hello all..

This year we would like to conquer the upper Peninsula of MI does anyone have an itinerary on places not to be missed? What to see and experience? We love hiking and paddle boarding. And history and of course food! Would-appreciate any and all thoughts and advice on visiting this beautiful area. We can spend as much as 2 months trapping around

Thank you all in advance

I lived in the UP of MI for 15 years. Places I’ll never forget (and would love to visit again!);
1. Pictured Rocks (hiking, biking, kayaking, camping), don’t skip the boat cruise!
2. Marquette - loads of historic sites
3. L’Anse - absolutely don’t miss those cinnamon rolls! I knew the baker when I lived there. Absolutely worth every calorie - YUM! They make great pasties too. The real thing.
4. Head up the coast around the Kewenaw Bay (thru Baraga) and up to Houghton/Hancock via the Lake Superior view route. You won’t be sorry!
5. If you want to “see the UP”, trust me, you’ll miss the BEST of it if you don’t head up to Copper Harbor at the very top. Btw; plan to spend the night at Copper Harbor. The dinner cruise out onto the lake at sunset is unforgettable.
6. Between Hancock and Copper Harbor, you’ll drive right through historic downtown Calumet, MI. The Calumet Theatre is a MUST SEE if you want history.
7. Back down through Houghton again, and head west towards Ontanogan.
8. Between Ontanogan and Ironwood, you’ll see a lot of “great outdoors” 😉, but just past Ironwood is Porcupine Mountains and Lake of the Clouds .... some of the prettiest walking/hiking, scenic views to be had. And if you pick up Hwy 2 again, it will take you into northern WI (along the shore of Lake Superior) and to the Apostle Islands. Consider it an extension of the UP! Worth the hour’s drive past the border.

Darn it, now you’ve made me homesick. 😥

De & the Dachsies in AK

[ointerlude]

We stayed at the 'Tourist RV Park" in Marquette last summer for a couple weeks and just loved Marquette. This park is nearly adjacent to the college and has great bike trails in all directions. It has mountain bike trails out one side and street bike trails leading downtown to all the cool bars and restaurants. Highly recommend it.

[blonde347]

There is lots of beauty in the UP. I suggest you see Macanack island. North east of lake Michigan. The north part of the UP is vast and hilly. Manistque Mich is about the top of lake Michigan. Igts beautiful. Bring your mosquito spray.

[Wisrick]

A few of us are planning on doing a 2 week run from Duluth to St Ignace. Heading east from Duluth; stopping at Washburn WI, Ironwood, MI, Houghton MI, Marquette MI, Munising MI, Newberry, MI and St Ignace MI. My home is the UP so I am familiar with much of this tour territory, but it is beautiful country. We are going in the first half of Sept.
See you on the road.

[Travellin' Tina]

The summer months are precious in the UP and the RV campgrounds fill up early. We stayed at the following campgrounds:

• Union Bay Campground Silver City, MI
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park Campground Paradise, MI
• Straits State Park Campground St. Ignace, MI
• Woodland Park Grand Marais, MI
• Munising Tourist Park Munising, MI

Porcupine Mountains SP, Pictured Rocks Natl Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and Mackinac Island are all great places to see. Don't overlook Seney Natl Wildlife Refuge in the center of the UP.


The towns of Munising and Grand Marais are wonderful places to stay while visiting both ends of Pictured Rocks Natl Lakeshore. Take a lakeshore cruise out of Munising if you get the chance.


Enjoy yourself.

[YooperRon]

Copper Harbor. It’s a small peaceful town at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, at the end of US41. Ft Wilkins State Park. Do a Google search for the park and learn its history. Twin Lakes State Park between Houghton and Ontonagon on 2 beautiful lakes perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding (that’s where we live).

[shamstra]

Kitch-Iti-Kipi (the Big Spring) near Manistique is worth a stop! Parking lot is a little tight for larger RV's, but we managed in our 42' Class A.

Copper Harbor is great, but the drive is a bit narrow and curvey. State Park there is beautiful, but a challenge for larger rigs. If you go there, visit both the Brockway Mountain Drive and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains are beautiful! Tour the Stormy Kromer factory in Ironwood. So many more places! the UP is one of our favorites!

[LaurenceStarr]

My wife and I are on our way up there in June from Atlanta. Looking forward to a great trip