Most Scenic Places in The Upper Peninsula
Spectacular scenery is everywhere in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. Even if you enter the UP with no plan at all, you’re sure to see inspiring landscapes and coastal vistas. But of course, it’s best to know some of the best places so that you can fall in love with the wild beauty of this unique region. Upper Peninsula towns welcome tourists, and park agencies maintain many trails that connect you with mountaintops, isolated beaches, and waterfalls.
Copper Peak Ski Jump
On the western border of the UP, you’ll find Copper Peak, home of the Copper Peak Ski Jump in Ironwood, MI. This 26-story, 1,180-feet ski flying hill is the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. From its heights in clear weather, you get a view of three states, Lake Superior, and Canada.
The western UP has a low population, which means that views of hills and unbroken forests unfold from the top of Copper Peak. It may offer the most expansive view of the fall colors in the Upper Peninsula available anywhere.
Summit Peak Trail Porcupine Mountains
For another mountaintop vista, travel to the Porcupine Mountains, also in the western UP. The 50-foot Summit Peak Observation Tower places you at 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest point in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the shores of Lake Superior.
Take in a panoramic view of the mountains and lakes from the platform. You can see the Apostle Islands and sometimes distant Isle Royale in good weather.
While you’re in the Porkies, take some scenic side trips to visit Upper Peninsula waterfalls. The area is home to many dazzling waterfalls like Black River and Bonds Falls.
Lake of the Clouds – Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Don’t leave the Porkies without stopping at the Lake of the Clouds Overlook. You only have to stroll on 100 feet of trail from the overlook parking area to take in a perfect scene of forested mountains and a clear, blue lake.
Fragrant green old-growth forests embrace the slopes around the lake in spring and summer before yielding to fall colors in the Upper Peninsula. In the fall, expect crisp air and sublime gold, orange, and red hues as you take the view of the lake.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Marquette is among the towns in the Upper Peninsula where incredible scenery is close at hand. You can take county road 550 to the trailhead for Sugarloaf Mountain just outside Marquette. The trail to the top is manageable for most people, but you’ll encounter stairs at the end connecting multiple viewing platforms.
You’ll look across forested slopes to Lake Superior. Rock outcroppings add interest to the view as they rise out from a canopy of mature trees.
Bare Bluff in the Keweenaw Peninsula
Traveling up the Keweenaw Peninsula means meandering through Upper Peninsula towns where mom-and-pop businesses are still the norm. If you desire a destination off the beaten path, go to Bare Bluff on the peninsula’s eastern shore.
The Russell and Miriam Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary encompasses Bare Bluff, which you can reach on a 3.9-mile trail loop. From the top of the 588-foot bluff, you can observe Lake Superior as it crashes against a remote coast. You can expect to see many species of birds and other wildlife.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Located on the eastern end of the UP, Tahquamenon Falls State Park has long been a top destination for tourists. Comprised of an Upper and a Lower Falls, this is the most famous of Upper Peninsula waterfalls. The Upper Falls is 200 feet wide and drops 50 feet.
Highway M-123 forms the 63-mile Tahquamenon Scenic Byway. You’ll find the region to be a vast area of forests and lakes. Stop at the Upper Peninsula towns of Newberry and Paradise for refreshments.
When you’re ready for a return to civilization, Sault Ste. Marie is a nearby city on the Canadian border. While in Sault Ste. Marie, many people choose to visit the Soo Locks. This engineered river corridor that moves freighters between the Great Lakes may not be naturally beautiful, but it is still considered an impressive sight.
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
Twelve lighthouses in the UP are open to the public, including Point Iroquois Lighthouse. All lighthouses promise good views of craggy shores and watery horizons, and Point Iroquois is no exception. It was built on a bluff on Whitefish Bay in what is now the Hiawatha National Forest.
You can stroll the beach on a wooden walkway and climb 72 steps to the top deck of the lighthouse. For the most impressive views, try to plan your visit near sunset.
Presque Isle State Park
This little park by Marquette is a gem that puts you on the shores of Lake Superior. The 323-acre park is a forested peninsula where visitors hike, bike, and swim.
Sandstone cliffs dominate the eastern shore. Park authorities have placed several outlooks along the cliff tops so you can admire and take pictures of the sweeping waterfront vistas.
At the top of the peninsula, Blackrocks is a great place to swim. Some people even dive from the 10 to 15-foot cliffs into the chilly waters. On the western shore, Sunset Point provides a stunning place to watch the sun sink over the Huron Mountains.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Munising is one of the towns in the Upper Peninsula that tourists flock to due to its proximity to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. If you like long walks on the beach, Pictured Rocks is one of the prettiest places to do that.
In this location, cliffs stand against the wind and waves of Lake Superior. In several spots, majestic Upper Peninsula waterfalls spill down the cliffs into the lake. Wander the trails along the cliff tops or venture into the inland forest. If you’re looking to stay off your feet, you can find boat tours that take you along the scenic shoreline.
The UP Welcomes Visitors Year-Round
Visiting towns in the Upper Peninsula gets you out of the summer heat or places you among world-famous fall colors. The UP and Ironwood are also famous for receiving lots of snow if you want to ski, snowmobile, or behold the frozen north wood’s icy beauty. See all of the things to do in the UP at Travel Ironwood.