The eastern half of the Upper Michigan Peninsula includes Pictured Rocks National Seashore, Grand Island, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Soo Locks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and Mackinac Island. Hike to waterfalls, beaches, and cliffs overlooking Lake Superior. Go on scenic cruises and kayak into caves. Ride a bike or an ATV through secluded forests. Explore an island and check out several lighthouses. Savor fresh caught seafood and tantalize your tastebuds with a U.P. culinary specialty called a “pasty”. Head north from Green Bay, Wisconsin or Detroit, Michigan for a unique outdoor experience in the rugged U.P. where the people proudly call themselves “yoopers”.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The name “Pictured Rocks” comes from the streaks of mineral stains that can be seen on the face of the weather-sculptured cliffs. The cliffs rise 50-200 feet directly from Lake Superior and stretch for about fifteen miles along the shore. The park also offers 12 miles of beautiful beaches, five miles of enormous sand dunes, several waterfalls, hiking trails, and a lighthouse. The are several other lighthouses in the immediate area and Grand Island to explore.
https://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
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Pictured Rocks Waterfall Hikes
There are several waterfalls which can be accessed with easy to moderate hikes.
Munising Falls – 800 ft. on a paved trail to the main viewing platform to see the 50-foot waterfall.
Chapel Falls – an easy 2.5-mile roundtrip along an old roadbed to a 60-foot waterfall.
Sable Falls – a 0.5-mile roundtrip with 168 steps down to the base of the falls.
Mosquito Falls – a short side trail on the way to Mosquito Beach. Three short cascades.
Miner’s Falls – 1.2 mile roundtrip for a powerful 50-foot waterfall.
https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Pictured Rocks Beaches
There are several beautiful beaches which can be accessed with easy to moderate hikes.
Mosquito Beach – 4-mile roundtrip with beautiful sandstone terraces leading to higher cliffs adjacent to this sand and rock beach.
Chapel Beach – 6-mile roundtrip to this beautiful sand beach with high bluffs, Chapel River, and the famous Chapel Rock.
Sable Falls Beach – a short hike with 168 steps down to the falls and a few more steps to the beach.
Beaver Basin Wilderness Beach – 3-mile roundtrip to a secluded, quiet beach.
Twelvemile Beach – a short walk to a long flight of stairs leading from the bluff down to a 12-mile stretch of pristine beach.
Miner’s Beach – A short walk on a wheelchair accessible boardwalk to a mile-long stretch of sand, Bridal Veil Falls, and high cliffs to the east.
Sand Point Beach – a short walk to a family-friendly beach just outside of Munising with awesome sunsets.
https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/beaches.htm
Pictured Rocks Scenic Cruise
Take a guided cruise of over 32 miles to see colorful cliffs, sea caves, and pristine beaches. View landmarks such as Lover’s Leap, Indian Head, Miner’s Castle, and Chapel Rock.
https://picturedrocks.com
Pictured Rocks Glass Bottom Shipwreck Cruise
Take a two-hour narrated cruise and see the shipwrecks of Bermuda (1860-1870) and Herman H. Hettler (1889-1926) from a glass bottom boat. Enjoy a close-up view of the East Channel Lighthouse, and colorful cliff and caves of Grand Island.
Pictured Rocks Lighthouses
Grand Island Harbor Range Lights
The Grand Island Harbor Range lights are made up of two lights. The front light is located along the water’s edge. The rear light is 50 yards south of M-28. There are free tours of the rear light during the summer months. Call 906-387-2512 for more info.
https://www.munising.org/member-detail/grand-island-harbor-rear-range-lighthouse/
Munising Front and Rear Range Lighthouses
The Munising Front Range Light was placed to work in combination with the Munising Rear Range Light. Both are painted white with a continuous red light. The site is open, but the tower is closed to the public. Located in Munising.
https://www.munising.org/member-detail/munising-front-range-lighthouse/
https://www.munising.org/member-detail/munising-rear-range-lighthouse/
Au Sable Point Lighthouse (3-mile round trip)
This lighthouse is 86 feet high and sends a beacon 18 miles out on Lake Superior. From the Hurricane River Campground, it is a 1 ½-mile walk to the lighthouse. On the beach below the trail, exposed shipwreck remains dot the shoreline. Lighthouse tours offered from mid-June through end of September, Wednesdays-Sundays only. Tours begin at 11 am and run through 4:30 pm (11 am – 12 pm – 1 pm – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm).
https://www.nps.gov/piro/learn/historyculture/ausablelightstation.htm
The Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Inner Lighthouse
The Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Inner Lighthouse is a square tower with a lantern and is painted white. It stands 55 feet in height and is currently active. It is open to the public from June to September.
https://www.munising.org/member-detail/the-grand-marais-harbor-of-refuge-inner-lighthouse/
Kayak Rentals and Excursions
You can rent a kayak or canoe, or you can go on a guided tour to see the beautiful cliffs, arches, rock formations, and caves of the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks Kayaking (listed below) will take you to the most scenic areas on a 56-foot passenger vessel where you can launch your kayak. The launch boat will be close at hand in case of emergencies or a need to use the restroom. Check out Northwoods Canoe and Kayak Rentals for excursions on the Au Train River.
Pictured Rocks Kayaking
https://paddlepicturedrocks.com
Uncle Ducky Outdoors
https://www.paddlingmichigan.com
Northern Waters
https://www.northernwaters.com
Northwoods Canoe and Kayak Rental (on the Au Train River)
https://paddleautrain.com
Mountain Biking
Head out into the north woods on a mountain bike. There are several options available. For bike rental check out South Bay Outfitters in Munising
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Bicycle-Shop/South-Bay-Outfitters-1027868240579020/
Munising Mountain Bike Park
Munising’s premier trail system is located on the west end of Munising just before the Hillside Party Store and across from the baseball field, within riding distance of downtown. At the top of the hill you will find 3 different jump trails, a wooden skills park and outer cross-country flow trail.
https://www.mbtn.org/trails/
Valley Spur Recreation Area
Find it at Valley Spur’s 12 miles of single track built by Marquette, MI trail building company Flowtrack MTB. The trail begins from the parking lot (to the right of the lodge at the top of trail B) and traverses the hills surrounding the trailhead. The lack of large roots or rocks creates a family friendly riding experience. For those looking to push a serious pace and test the limits of their tires, get ready for 12 miles of high-speed berms and rollers.
https://valleyspur.org
Bruno’s Run
Bruno’s Run is located the farthest from town, about a 15 minute drive down Highway 13. This trail is an old school single-track trail featuring man made natural obstacles. A 10-mile looped ride offers outstanding scenery that makes the trail an easy sell. Expect lakes, streams and sections of older growth white pine.
https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/brunos-run/
ATV/ORV Trails
Head out into the North Woods on an ATV/ORV. This is a fast-growing sport in the Upper Michigan Peninsula. There are numerous trails that take you out into Hiawatha Forest around Munising or the Lake Superior State Forest and Newberry State Forest near Newberry. Renze Power rents ATV’s in both Munising and Newberry. Along with your rental they will also provide a map of trails and help you decide where to ride.
https://www.renzepower.com/rent-our-vehicles-atvs-boats-utvs-snowmobiles-dealership–atv-rentals
Grand Island
The 13,500 acre Grand Island National Recreational Area is located just a half-mile offshore from Munising. It is a National Recreational Area with artesian wells, waterfalls, historic cabins, a lighthouse, and more. It is a perfect place to spend time hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, and exploring. Visitors can get to the island via passenger ferry. The Grand Island Ferry Service will take you to the island and also offers bike rental, kayak rental, paddle board rental, an interpretive bus tour and rustic cabin rental for your time on the island. The ferry runs every hour from 9-6 pm in the summer. The ferry departs from Grand Island Landing on the mainland, located on M28 about 2 1/2 miles west of Munising’s blinking light. Look for the Grand Island National Recreation Area sign. Call or check the website for the Spring and Summer schedule.
Ferry Service – Tel. 906-387-2600
http://www.grandislandup.com/
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Tahquamenon Falls State Park (sounds like phenomenon)
Located just 1 1/2 hours east of Munising is the Tahquamenon State Park and its waterfalls. You may notice the amber color of the water caused by tannins from trees in the swamps drained by the river. The extremely soft water churned by the action of the falls causes large amounts of foam. Upper Falls is one the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Just 4 miles downstream is the Lower Falls, which consists of a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. The falls can be viewed from the riverbank or from the island and can be reached by a rowboat rented from a park concession.
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=428&type=SPRK
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Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub offers distinctive micro brewed beers and excellent food choices such as a U.P. pasty, fruit of the forest pie, pork tenderloin medallions, and locally caught fresh whitefish. Rustic decor, a large stone fireplace, mounts, and art make this a must for your visit to the park. The food is awesome. I had the whitefish.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum – Whitefish Point
While you are at Tahquamenon SP you need to check out the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society was founded in 1978 to commence exploration of historic shipwrecks in eastern Lake Superior, near Whitefish Point in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula. The Shipwreck Museum is open to the public from May 1 to October 31 and the Weather Bureau is open year-round. The museum highlights the history of Lake Superior shipwrecks in the vicinity of Whitefish Point, aka “The Graveyard of the Great Lakes”.
https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com
Brown Fisheries The Fish House
32638 W M 123, Paradise
Plan a meal here after your visit to the museum. The fish is caught daily by Buddy (an old salt who may come out to chat). The place is small, but the whitefish is amazing.
https://www.facebook.com/BrownFisheriesFishHouse/
Soo Locks in Sault Ste Marie
An hour and 20 minutes east of Tahquamenon Falls SP is the Soo Locks which connect Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Thanks to these locks, freighters over 1,000 feet in length can traverse freely along the St. Mary’s River all the way from Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. You can watch freighters, barges, tugboats, tall ships, sailboats, cruise ships, and military crafts as they are lifted and lowered the 21-foot difference between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. You can get up close and personal with some of the Great Lakes largest freighters on the observation platform overlooking the MacArthur Lock. Call (906) 253-9290 SLVC Hotline to find out when the next ship will pass through the locks.
https://www.saultstemarie.com/attractions/soo-locks/
