Best Things to Do in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a natural wonderland where sprawling forests, ancient lakes, and sandy beaches draw travelers worldwide! Whether you want to visit the area’s enchanting waterfalls, camp in the woods beneath the stars, or capture photos from majestic cliffs in the clouds, the U.P. encapsulates “Pure Michigan” at its finest! However, deciding where to visit the Upper Peninsula can be challenging. After all, with so many unique places to explore, you will want to make the most of your time there. Below, we will cover some top U.P. activities for locals and visitors alike in the best towns in the Upper Peninsula. Hopefully, these Upper Peninsula tips will help you plan your travels.

What to Know Before You Plan Your Stay

When deciding where to visit in the Upper Peninsula and what to do while there, taking the local weather conditions into account is important. Many travelers are surprised to learn that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has fantastic activities available year-round! Even in the winter, the U.P. offers an array of exciting activities. For instance, Ironwood, Michigan, is one of the best towns in the Upper Peninsula to stay in if you plan to ski, snowboard, ice skate, or make magical Christmas memories. However, Ironwood is also a wonderful place to visit in the summer, spring, and fall! In fact, this area has some of the best hiking, camping, and fishing in the state.

While swimming in Lake Superior waters isn’t the best idea in the fall, spring, or winter, you can still enjoy the lake’s beaches, spend time in a kayak, or check out freshwater springs as you hike. In the fall, certain U.P. areas are incredibly unique, with stunning color changes and wildlife. In the spring, the waterfalls are like nothing else in the world. Bearing this in mind, we’ve divided the following list of the best things to do in the Upper Peninsula based on the season.

Summer

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is second to none in the summer! Not only is the area’s tourist season in full swing, but the leaves are green, the flowers are blooming, and the cool waters are ready for you to dip your toes in on a hot day.

Spend a Day at the Beach

There are so many beautiful beaches to visit along Lake Superior. On the southern edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Bete Grise has soft white sand and local legends to enthrall your imagination! This beach also has a magical view enhanced by the nearby landscape.

Or, add the Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum to your bucket list if you enjoy rock-hunting! The multi-colored rocks from the Gitche Gumee area are like special little treasures. Often, local shop owners will share their best beach-combing secret with you! Or, check out the Rock On Lake Superior Agate Festival in Grand Marais.

Near Ironwood, Michigan, you will find the Black River Harbor, Little Girls Point, Saxon Harbor, and of course, all of the waterfront areas in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Wherever you roam, it’s easy to find a secluded place along the shores of the massive lake. Whether you want to kayak offshore, take a fishing charter, or paddleboard in the refreshing waters, these beaches are the perfect place to spend a day or two!

Explore the Jaw-Dropping Waterfalls

Most of Michigan’s famous waterfalls are in the upper peninsula. Tahquamenon Falls, for instance, has over 50,000 gallons of fresh water that cascade 50 feet down. Check out the upper and lower falls in the Tahquamenon area, or head to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and see the Munising Formation! Wherever you go, you can follow the appropriate park maps to dozens of different U.P. waterfall finds.

Kayaking, Island Excursions, and Exploring Pictured Rocks

Rock formations and mineral-colored cliffs are sure to leave you in awe if you decide to kayak near the Pictured Rocks. Many boat cruises are available to show you these beautiful formations on most summer days. You can also book an adventure with Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tours to see what lies along the cliff sides or deep below the surface of the crystal-clear water.

Exploring the islands in the U.P. is also an excellent way to spend your time. Mackinac Island is filled with Victorian homes, bed & breakfasts, quaint shops, lilac bushes, horse-drawn carriages, and tasty treats. However, other best-kept secrets, like Drummond Island, have local wildlife and ORV trails. Grand Island is fantastic for wilderness exploration and camping. The Les Cheneaux, a string of islands, is a wonderful place for protected paddling and kayaking.

Scenic Views from Towering Peaks

Visit Straits State Park and camp on the Straits of Mackinac to gaze down at a stunning view! You can watch how the colorful lights below sparkle from the beachfront campsites. Or, make your way to Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park for endless Instagram-worthy views in every direction. Brockway Mountain Drive offers stunning Lake Superior views on the Keweenaw Peninsula, especially at sunset. Adventurers can head to America’s tallest ski jump near Ironwood, the Iron Mountain Pine Mountain Ski Jump, to get over 400 feet in the air!

Winter

In the winter, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan becomes an enchanting land of ice and snow. Glistening waterfalls, sunlit frozen streams, and mysterious, silent forests blanketed in freshly fallen snow will leave you in wonder. Places like Ironwood, Michigan, are perfect for an enchanting winter escape!

Dog Sledding

Have you ever wanted to go dog sledding? In the Upper Peninsula, you can! Spots like Nature’s Kennel Iditarod Sled Dog Racing & Adventures help visitors take the whole family out for a short run in the snow. Or, you can plan a multi-day trip with the local teams that involves sleeping in a yurt and running through the backwoods! These multi-day trips often are chaperoned by real Iditarod sled dog teams.

Snowmobile Excursions

Snowmobiling is an exciting and fun way to get the adrenaline pumping. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has more than 3,000 miles of beautifully groomed snowmobile trails. In fact, the upper peninsula is one of the most popular snowmobiling destinations in the nation. Bring your own machine along or rent one. Either way, you won’t want to miss a chance to explore snowy spots in the Keweenaw Peninsula or the Porcupine Mountains. Ice fishing fans will find some of the best spots anywhere if they plan an adventure with snowmobiles!

Skiing and Snowboarding

Ironwood, Michigan, is one of the best places in all of America for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and an array of other winter sports. Check out the Wolverine Nordic Trails, ABR Active Backwoods, Mount Zion Ski Hill, Copper Peak, and more. Big Powderhorn Mountain, Black River Basin, Jackson Creek, and other ski resorts are the perfect places to go for all-day fun in the snow and relaxing lodging at night.

Winter Festivals

The Upper Peninsula hosts numerous winter festivals in the snowy season. Starting in November and stretching through March, there are usually festivals of some kind going on throughout the winter. Grand Haven Winter Festival takes place in late January, and the Icebreaker Festival takes place in South Haven in February. Or, check out the Jack Frost Festival of Ironwood! Near Ironwood, The Big Snow Resort also has a blackjack torchlight parade and fireworks in December.

Spring and Fall

Spring and fall are both transitional seasons in Upper Peninsula Michigan. As such, you can catch unique occasions and events in nature that only occur during certain times of the year.

Porcupine Mountains Fall Color Changes

In the fall, sprawling forests, thickly treed slopes, and steep gorges burst into fiery shades of yellow, red, orange, and everything in between in the Porkies. Visiting a Porcupine Mountain State Wilderness Park Scenic Overlook in the fall is one of the best ways to take in all of these stunning colors.

Try a Genuine Cornish Pasty

Pasties are one of the Upper Peninsula’s most popular treats! These delicious half-moon-shaped pies are filled with meats, veggies, potatoes, and more. They are savory and warm and have a delicious history related to local Cornish and Finnish miners! In the autumn, these pies are the perfect way to warm up after exploring charming shops and quaint village attractions.

Go Fishing or See the Local Aquatic Life

Spring is an exciting time to go fishing in the Upper Peninsula. At this time of year, cisco, bass, lake trout, brown trout, perch, walleye, and steelhead, are often available in abundance! Or, take a raft on cables and cross 200 feet of water at Kitch-iti-kipi spring, one of the world’s largest freshwater springs! Here, you can see through the clear emerald-green waters and glimpse fascinating fish and aquatic life.

See the Bears and Wildlife

Starting around Memorial Day and stretching through late September, bear migration takes place in the U.P. You can now visit the wild rescue bears and their cubs at Oswald’s Bear Ranch! Here, bears roam an outdoor ranch-style area. Isle Royale’s wildlife is also very active in the fall. When you visit from April to October, hiking and backpacking can reveal a wilderness wonderland near Lake Superior’s waters.

Learn Where to Visit in the Upper Peninsula by Contacting Travel Ironwood

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan truly is a wild and stunning wonderland with plenty of things to do for visitors throughout the year. Need help deciding on the best towns in the Upper Peninsula to visit? Travel Ironwood can help you decide what to do on your next visit to the Upper Peninsula!