Got a few questions on the U.P.

[dodge_guy]

OK, so I have tentative plans for a trip to the UP next summer, mid to the end of July. We want to check out Pictured Rocks and Grand Island. We will be staying at Munising Tourist Park Campground on Lake Superior. Where exactly does Pictured Rocks start and end? It looks like it goes from just east of Munising to just south of Grand Marais? are there any hikes to scenic overlooks of Pictured Rocks? we will either do a boat tour and/or kayak/boat rental, not sure what we want to do yet. any advice on this?

Also what are the best hikes for seeing waterfalls?

Is there anything else that I`m missing for things to see and do in the area?

I`ve been looking forward to this trip for a long time!

[dewey02]

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

[dodge_guy]

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.

[far733]

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!

[dverstra]

X3 on the Porcupine S.P. Trails

[summerhouse]

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!

[Parrothead_Mike]

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.

[rmnpcolorado]

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!

[dodge_guy]

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!

[azrving]

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.

[luvztheoutdoor1]

Ditto the Visitors Center in Munising!

[Allworth]

You can do Copper Country as a couple of day trips from Houghton. Nice municipal CG on the Portage Canal and watch the NPS boat leave for Isle Royal (or take the boat out and back).

See the Quincy Hoist & Mine Museum; The preserved mining towns with some interesting gift shops; and Copper Harbor.

As somebody else mentioned, don't miss the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. (Out of the way at the East end, but worth it.)

[summerhouse]

There are dozens of waterfalls in the area surrounding Munising. There is also a Visitor Center in Munising that has TONS of information on EVERYTHING in the area.mthey have listings and maps of waterfalls. There are some fantastic hiking trails and beautiful trails to many of the waterfalls. The Pictured Rocks boat tour needs to be done at least once by everyone. It offers the best, and mostly the only true views of the beauty and grandeur of the Pictured Rocks. There are indeed pontoon rentals and kayak rentals to enjoy the Grand Island area. There is also a ferry to Grand Island and a vehicle tour of the island.
Mill Creek Campground at Mackinaw City allows for exploring Mackinaw Island and surrounding area. Also a couple nice campgrounds on the St. Ignace side. Brimley Stae Park is a nice on too.
Great campground at Grand Marais, though a little tight in some areas. They don't take reservations however, it is on a first come basis.
Muskellunge State Park is real nice, also Van Riper State Park. Munising City Tourist Park is a great stay for that entire area.
We spend a month in the U.P. Every summer. We love it there.

[Matt_Colie]

As someone that has done all of that, I will suggest that you study the areas carefully. Yes, There is Munising and Tahquamenon falls - upper and lower - and about a dozen others. And a lot of scenery, but don't miss the locks at Sault Saint Marie. There are two great campgrounds just down the road.
When you get to town, drop someone at the locks visitor center first and see when traffic will be there. There is a really nice "peanut galley" where you can sit and watch them flush 1000ft long ships to the lower lakes, but you have to be there when they are.
On you way to the locks from the campground is the Valley Camp, a museum ship that is a great stop. Then, there is a series of markers along WaterStreet that the kids will have a good time reading (they go east to west).
The tower is not all that great and the River of History is closed on Sundays.
Matt

[Mich_upnorth]

Another option if you don't want to do the boat tour. Is to rent a pontoon boat from seaburgs and go out on your own for a half or whole day. With that you can go where you want and stop if you want to investigate something. You will have to reserve in advance as they are popular. I think they have 5 or 6 boats available to rent.
Bob