Got a few questions on the U.P.

Kitch-iti-kipi. It is small, but don't miss it.
Link here.

Just a little update. I just reserved the last lake front site (#12) at Munising Tourist Park Campground! I wanted to stay over the 4th of July, but all the sites were booked. So I had to switch around my travel plans and go to Hayward WI first for the 4th and then up to Munising. Can't wait!

And yes I am seriously considering renting a pontoon boat.

I second renting a pontoon to check out Pictured Rocks. We did an all day rental and made a day of it. We were able to view the rocks at our own leisure and stop to swim, have a picnic, and check out other sites. I'd recommend taking the drive down Highway 58 from Munising to Grand Marais. There are a lot of cool sites to check out along the way. Grand Marais is quite the quaint little town. We camped there had an amazing time!

X3 on the Porcupine S.P. Trails

I was thinking the same thing Parrothead Mike. The hiking along Presque Isle River is so extremely beautiful! We packed a picnic lunch that we enjoyed where the river flows out into the lake last summer!

Since the OP mentioned going through the U.P. on his way toward Wisconsin and that they enjoyed hikes they should check out Porcupine Mountains State Park. There are several nice short hikes and you will often find waterfalls. One of my favorite hikes is at the south end of the park (58,000 acres!) along the Presque Isle River. There is a rustic campground near there, but hiking both sides of the river, along the falls and virgin forest, is so beautiful that you'll shoot dozens of photos. Union Bay Campground is at the north end of the park, but it's a good drive from the Presque Isle River up to that end of the park.

We did this trip this last September, and Pictured Rocks was the highlight of our trip. You MUST do the cruise, it was awesome and the best way to see the sights. We drove the length of the park, checking out the national campgrounds as well. I thought they were quite nice, but no facilities of course. We drove past the Tourist Campground you mentioned - I must I say I was less than impressed, but maybe that style "camping" is your thing.

Just note though, we found that the UP is a VERY remote area, moreso than we even expected. Everything is 20 miles apart, and there literally is nothing in between. Then there's a little burb, and then another 20 miles before the next blip on the map. If you want remote and relaxing, this trip is it. We enjoyed being off the grid immensely (literally. Our NF campground we stayed at in between Munising and Manistique had electricity, but we had no cell coverage whatsoever!). It was GREAT!

Thanks everyone! sounds like the perfect area. we have been to Mackinac Island and Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. This time we are driving up the west side of Lake Michigan and going all the way up into the U.P.! I wanted to do the Apostle Islands, but it is a bit out of the way because we want to do some rafting on the Wolf River on the way home.

Keep the info coming!

Some of this is on the way and not in the area. Lake Superior is an incredible body of water.



The glass bottom boat isn't the most exciting thing but I enjoyed it. There is a history of ore shipments on Lake Superior and how many were lost in storms.

Tour


Find your way onto Miners road that takes you out to the north east side of Miners Rock and Miners River. Go on a hot day and swim off the beach on huge boulders to the left side of the beach and the NE side of Miners Rock. It's always cold but 15 or 20 feet of crystal clear water and rippled sand bottom.


There are hiking trails that may be called Mosquito Falls. It's been many years so I cant remember but they are probably south west of Miners Rock and off of road 695. The shoreline is shallow water over an all rock area and then drops off to about 40 feet deep. There were large lake trout swimming around at the bottom. I had snorkel and fins with me. Yes the water is ALWAYS cold, it's Lake Superior. The path we took was about a 7 mile hike.



The beaches along US2 when heading west from St Ignace are nice.

There is a pull off on the west side of the Cut River Bridge on hwy US2 that is nice. Good swimming spot.

Climb Castle Rock in St Ignace.

I like the boat ride from St Ignace to Mackinac Island even if I didn't go to the Island.

If on the island, the Pink Pony has good food and great long island ice tea.

If you take the boat from St Ignace to the Island, check the schedule as some trips go out under the bridge before heading to the island.


At times and in certain areas the black flies and skeeters are horrendous. I have never had a problem with them in the Pictured Rocks area. I have experienced them along Superior west of Whitefish point. It just depends. Go prepared.

Grand Marais is nice. Very picturesque and many will kayak on the bay at times.

Ditto the Visitors Center in Munising!