[Dave Wojo]

I have a week off in September and we've been thinking over what to do with it. We decided on a camping tour of the Upper Peninsula. For those that live up there or have been up there, with the route and the campground points marked on the map below, are there things that we should absolutely see or do?



We're planning to leave home on Friday, spend two nights at each of the four campgrounds, and return home the following Saturday.

So...any recommendations?

[wishIwereintheUP]

While at D, take the short trip to the Porcupine Mountains State Park. Take a left where 64 dead ends at Lake Superior and take the road (107) to the end. You'll have the state park sticker already to get in. There's a short loop trail from the parking lot to the Lake of the Clouds escarpment overlook. On the way back, take a right at the South Boundary Road and stop at the visitor center to pick up a trail map. Continue on South Boundary to the Summit Peak trail head. Very nice trail with an observation tower. Taking South Boundary to the end, you'll reach the Presque Isle area which has some easy trails around the Presque Isle river, a few waterfalls, rapids and access to the Lake Superior shore. (Of course, waterfalls and rapids usually aren't impressive in September.) The drive from the visitor center to the end of South Boundary road is about 20 to 30 minutes, to give you an idea. You'll have to pack a lunch, bring snacks and water, but these are all short trails so a ton doesn't have to be dragged along while walking. If you're quick, the above can be done in a day; if you like to savor the view or have small children, it would be too much for one day.

Depending on the weather and water temp by that time, the sugar sand Lake Superior beaches along 107 are beautiful - ocean-like views and never crowded.

Heading east on 28 and then south on 45 at Bruce Crossing you'll get to Bond Falls.

[wishIwereintheUP]

At E, there's a lot of choices:
Drive up to Houghton/Hancock (about 30 minutes) and take in the sites of the Budapest of the UP. The double-decker lift bridge and once you cross into Hancock, stay on 41 and you'll get to a nice overlook into the valley. Continue on a short way and take a tour of the Quincy mine.

Heading west on 38 out of Baraga, turn left on to Prickett Dam road. Take that to Silver Mountain and climb to the top (stairs all the way!). Visit the Prickett Lake dam and look at the lake with all the tree stumps. Take the trail to the falls in the Sturgeon River Gorge. This entire area is off the beaten path with very few visitors.

Another option is to head up to Copper Harbor and spend the day there (roughly 1.5 hour drive from E). Tons to do - see that web site. Take a loop trip so you see something different on the drive as well. That is, take 26 left where it branches off at Phoenix. You'll pass the Great Sand Bay and Eagle Harbor. When you return, take 41. The tree tunnel on 41 is a blast to drive.

For a driving outing with stops, take a trip to Point Abbaye. Straight travel time from Baraga is about an hour. But you can stop in L'Anse, take in the sites of the main street and the marina. Drive on to Pequaming with its different views. From there, the drive to Point Abbaye is interesting as the road goes to gravel and worse and the power line ends. (Driveable with a car; no high clearance needed. ) At the end of the road, there's a short hike to the point itself. Pack a lunch, bring water and snacks - ain't a whole lot of civilization out there !

[cmuguy25]

When coming through the Marquette area, check out Sugarloaf Mountain. Marquette County - - Sugarloaf Mountain

I would also check out Presque Isle Park in Marquette. You can drive through, or stop at a few look out points. Very cool place.

Have fun!

[wishIwereintheUP]

At B, take Route 2 west to 483 (Oo 25 Rd) south into the Garden Peninsula. The Garden Peninsula is deserted compared to the Door Peninsula tourist trap just south on the Wisconsin side. Take the road south to Fayette State Park which has a historic town and hiking trails.

Take Route 2 east to country road 432 south to the Seul Choix lighthouse (the "haunted" lighthouse). The entrance fee was dirt cheap (I recall 4 bucks) and the nice lady in the gift shop was apologetic for charging that "much". Plus, they let you go all the way to the top.

[wishIwereintheUP]

Enroute on 41 between E and route 2 (B) - dare I say it - stop at Da Yooper Tourist Trap.

Also enroute on 41, turn off at Van Riper state park for a break or picnic lunch and take in beautiful Lake Michigamme.

[Podo944]

We planned our route from pasty shop to pasty shop!

Seriously though, I'm envious... would love to go back some day!

[darstar]

Traveling east from Marquette on 28 around the town of Munising is the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. On a calm day take the boat trip out into Lake Superior to look back at the rock formations. There is also a glass bottom boat tour of shipwrecks. Grand Isle is in the way for a view from my living r.oom , it's the second largest island on Superior . This area around the Lakeshore is the most popular attraction in the U.P.( my house is 40 miles from there)