Great Lakes Family Road Trip: A 7-Day Itinerary
Two Great Lakes, dunes, ferries & beaches, all in one summer loop.
Seven family days around Lake Michigan and Lake Superior: the Sleeping Bear dunes, Traverse City beaches, car-free Mackinac Island by ferry, Pictured Rocks boat tours, and Door County.
“I’ve requested to book a Chain Lakes Loop guide on ExplorOFF, and it was the best idea ever! I highly recommend going with their guided option since you get a real human connection on the trail and don’t have to worry about a thing. Yulia was great to talk to!”
27 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Great Lakes: every stop pinned in order.
Sleeping Bear, Mackinac, Pictured Rocks & Door County · Michigan & Wisconsin
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Great Lakes in photos: 5 of the stops.
Plan and book your 7 days in Great Lakes, one step at a time
How 7 days in Great Lakes split up
Plan 7 days for Great Lakes. Total distance: ~700 mi. Difficulty: Easy. Ferries: Book ahead. This is a classic Great Lakes family road trip: a 7-day loop around the top of Lake Michigan and the south shore of Lake Superior, strung together from dunes, beaches, ferries, and lighthouses. It starts in northern Michigan, crosses into the Upper Peninsula, and finishes in Door County, Wisconsin, with kid-friendly stops the whole way.
Day 1: Traverse City · cherries, beaches & first swims
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: Sleeping Bear Dunes · the Dune Climb & scenic drive
4 stops · Day two
Day 3: Mackinac Island · ferry over for bikes & fudge
4 stops · Day three
Day 4: Into the Upper Peninsula · Munising & Lake Superior
4 stops · Day four
Day 5: Pictured Rocks · the boat cruise & Miners Castle
4 stops · Day five
Day 6: Across to Door County · Peninsula State Park
5 stops · Day six
Day 7: Door County · cherries, lighthouses & heading home
2 stops · Day seven
Traverse City · cherries, beaches & first swims
Fly into Traverse City (TVC), or drive up from Detroit or Chicago, and settle into your base for the first stretch. Traverse City sits at the foot of Grand Traverse Bay and is the cherry capital of the country, so start with cherry pie or cherry ice cream, then let the kids loose on the long, shallow public beaches along the bay where the water warms up fast in summer.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive from
Fly into TVC or drive up · DriveFly into Traverse City (TVC), or drive up from Detroit or Chicago, and settle into your base for the first stretch. Traverse City sits at the foot of Grand Traverse Bay and is the cherry capital of the country, an easy, gentle start before the dunes and ferries to come.
- Traverse City bay beaches
Warm, shallow public beaches · ViewpointLet the kids loose on the long, shallow public beaches along Grand Traverse Bay, where the water warms up fast in summer. It is the easiest swimming of the trip and a perfect first afternoon, with cherry ice cream a short walk away in town.
- Old Mission Peninsula drive
Orchards, vineyards & a lighthouse · ViewpointDrive out the Old Mission Peninsula past cherry orchards and vineyards to the little lighthouse at the tip. It is a relaxed afternoon loop with bay views on both sides, and a fine way to ease into the trip before the dunes tomorrow.
Phoenix-Five / CC BY-SA 4.0Stay in Traverse CityBase for the Sleeping Bear stretch · lodgeBase in Traverse City for the first two nights, an easy out-and-back to Sleeping Bear Dunes with beaches, restaurants, and ice cream in town. It books up for summer, especially around the early-July Cherry Festival, so reserve lodging well ahead.
Sleeping Bear Dunes · the Dune Climb & scenic drive
Drive about 40 minutes west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the highlight of northern Michigan: enormous sand dunes towering hundreds of feet above the impossibly blue water of Lake Michigan. Start at the famous Dune Climb, a steep wall of sand the whole family can run up and tumble down, with sweeping views from the top.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- The Dune Climb
Steep wall of sand · views up top · HikeStart at the famous Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a steep wall of sand the whole family can run up and tumble down, with sweeping views from the top. The full hike over the dunes to the lake is strenuous with no shade or water, so carry plenty and turn around early.
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
~7.4 mi loop · clifftop overlooks · DriveDrive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile loop with overlooks where the dunes drop 450 feet straight to the impossibly blue water of Lake Michigan. It is the highlight of the day and an easy, kid-friendly way to take in the scale of the dunes.
Jim Sorbie / CC BY 2.0Glen Haven & the beachHistoric village · Lake Michigan swim · ViewpointStop in the restored historic village of Glen Haven and cool off at the Glen Haven beach, then grab ice cream in nearby Glen Arbor. It is an easy, low-key stop to round out the dune day before heading back to Traverse City.
gabe popa / CC BY 2.0Second night in Traverse CityEasy out-and-back base · lodgeStay a second night in Traverse City so the dune day is a relaxed out-and-back, with no packing up between the beaches and the dunes. Keeping the same base means more beach time and less driving.
Mackinac Island · ferry over for bikes & fudge
Drive northeast to Mackinaw City and take the ferry to Mackinac Island, a car-free island where the only ways to get around are bikes, horse-drawn carriages, and your own two feet. Leave the car at the dock, pack light, and step back in time the moment you arrive.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Drive to Mackinaw City & ferry over~2.5 hr drive · short ferry · DriveDrive northeast to Mackinaw City and take the ferry to Mackinac Island, a car-free island where the only ways around are bikes, carriages, and walking. Leave the car at the dock, pack light, and book the ferry ahead for summer weekends.
- Bike the 8-mile shoreline loop
Flat, car-free · Arch Rock · HikeRent bikes and ride the flat, 8-mile shoreline loop around the island, with Lake Huron on one side the whole way and a stop at Arch Rock. It is entirely car-free and easy for kids, the best way to see the island.
Ian Poellet / CC BY-SA 3.0Fudge & the Grand HotelCarriages, no cars · village green · ViewpointBuy the island's famous fudge, watch the horse-drawn carriages, and let the kids run on the village green below the Grand Hotel. Mackinac feels like a step back in time, with no cars anywhere on the island.
Stay in Mackinaw CityEvening ferry back · check the last return · lodgeCatch an evening ferry back to the mainland and sleep in Mackinaw City, where the car is parked and the bridge into the Upper Peninsula starts in the morning. Check the last return ferry time so you do not get stranded; a night on the island itself is possible but costs far more and has to be booked well ahead.
Into the Upper Peninsula · Munising & Lake Superior
Cross the mighty Mackinac Bridge into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a five-mile span over the Straits of Mackinac that is a thrill in itself, then drive west along the wild south shore of Lake Superior to the little town of Munising, your base for Pictured Rocks. The pace slows here: fewer towns, more forest, and the biggest, coldest, clearest of the Great Lakes.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0Cross the Mackinac Bridge~5-mile span · gateway to the UP · DriveCross the mighty Mackinac Bridge into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a five-mile span over the Straits of Mackinac that is a thrill in itself. From here the pace slows: fewer towns, more forest, and the biggest, coldest, clearest of the Great Lakes ahead.
- Lake Superior shore drive to Munising
Quiet forested highway · ViewpointDrive west along the wild south shore of Lake Superior to the little town of Munising, your base for Pictured Rocks. It is a quiet, forested highway along the biggest Great Lake, so settle into the slower pace of the UP.
Tony Webster from Minn / CC BY-SA 2.0Munising FallsShort, easy waterfall walk · HikeStretch your legs at Munising Falls or one of the easy waterfall walks around town, a short, kid-friendly hike to fill the afternoon you arrive. Watch the sun set over Lake Superior, and confirm your boat-cruise tickets for tomorrow.
Joseph Gage from Yorkv / CC BY-SA 2.0Stay in MunisingPictured Rocks base · book early · lodgeBase in Munising for two nights as your Pictured Rocks gateway. Lodging here is limited and books out fast in summer, so reserve early or look at nearby towns along the Lake Superior shore. Pack layers, because it is always cooler out on the big lake.
Pictured Rocks · the boat cruise & Miners Castle
Today is the centerpiece of the Upper Peninsula: a Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising, the only way to see the full sweep of the multicolored sandstone cliffs that rise straight out of Lake Superior. The mineral-streaked walls glow orange, green, and rust, and the boat slides right past arches, caves, and waterfalls that pour over the cliff edge into the lake.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
MSwierenga / CC BY-SA 4.0Pictured Rocks boat cruiseFrom Munising · book ahead · activityTake a Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising, the only way to see the full sweep of the multicolored sandstone cliffs that rise straight out of Lake Superior. The boat slides past arches, caves, and waterfalls; bring jackets, because it is much colder out on the water. The cruise sells out on summer weekends, so book ahead.
- Miners Castle overlook
Signature formation · paved overlooks · ViewpointDrive up to Miners Castle, the most famous formation in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with easy paved overlooks that look straight down on turquoise water. It is one of the most photogenic stretches of the Great Lakes and an easy stop with kids.
Tony Webster / CC BY 2.0Miners BeachSand beach below the cliffs · HikeWalk down to Miners Beach, a sand beach below the cliffs with cold but crystal-clear Lake Superior water. The trail down is steeper than the overlooks up top, so match the effort to your kids and enjoy the view back at the cliffs.
- Second night in Munising
Stay put · easy bookend day · lodgeStay a second night in Munising so the cruise and Miners Castle bookend an easy day with no packing up. Rest up, because tomorrow is the longest drive of the trip, all the way across to Door County, Wisconsin.
Across to Door County · Peninsula State Park
Today is the longest drive of the trip: head southwest out of the Upper Peninsula, around the top of Lake Michigan and down into Door County, Wisconsin, the slender peninsula often called the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Break the drive with stops along the way, and aim to reach the village towns of Door County by late afternoon. Base in Sturgeon Bay or one of the bayside villages.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to Door County, WI
Longest leg · out of the UP · DriveToday is the longest drive: head southwest out of the Upper Peninsula, around the top of Lake Michigan and down into Door County, Wisconsin, the slender peninsula often called the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Break the leg with a lunch stop and aim to reach the Door County villages by late afternoon.
Tony Webster from Minn / CC BY-SA 2.0Peninsula State ParkEagle Bluff Lighthouse & Nicolet Beach · HikeSettle in at Peninsula State Park, where the kids can climb the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse tower, swim at Nicolet Beach, and ride the easy shoreline bike trails. A Wisconsin state-park vehicle pass covers it all, and it is the relaxing heart of the Door County stretch.
- Door County lighthouses & orchards
Harbors, cherries & fish boils · ViewpointDoor County is all lighthouses, cherry orchards, fish boils, and quiet harbors, a relaxing change of pace to wind down the week. Cherry season peaks in mid to late July, so watch for roadside stands selling fresh cherries and pie.
- Sunset kayak tour · Peninsula Kayak Company
2 hours · guided · book ahead · activityIf you reach Door County with the evening free, Peninsula Kayak Company runs a two-hour guided sunset paddle. It is a gentle way to end the longest driving day on the water. Book ahead, and check the minimum age on the booking page before you choose a date.
Book this → 
Richie Diesterheft fro / CC BY-SA 2.0Stay in Sturgeon BayDoor County base · book early · lodgeBase in Sturgeon Bay or one of the bayside villages for the Door County stretch. It fills up fast in summer, so book lodging early. From here you are well placed for the final day on the water before heading home.
Door County · cherries, lighthouses & heading home
Keep the last morning easy: one more cherry orchard or lighthouse, then the drive home.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
Richie Diesterheft fro / CC BY-SA 2.0Cherry orchards & a last lighthouseOne more cherry pie · final lighthouse · ViewpointRound out the morning with one more cherry-orchard or lighthouse stop, wrapping the lighthouse theme that runs the whole trip. Grab fresh cherries, jam, or pie for the road before you point the car home.
- Getting home: Green Bay or Chicago
GRB ~1 hr · bigger hubs south · DrivePoint the car home. Green Bay (GRB) is about an hour from Sturgeon Bay, Milwaukee and Chicago are a longer haul south, and if you flew into Traverse City you can loop back up the Lake Michigan shore. Top off fuel and leave with daylight to spare for the drive out.
Book the 6 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the checking. We find what is still open near each trailhead and email you this plan back with a booking link for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Great Lakes
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
On your feet
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
What we actually learned on the lakes.
Go in summer for warm water
June through August is the only stretch warm enough for kids to swim, and even then Lake Michigan's bays warm up faster than the open lake while Lake Superior stays cold all year. Summer is also peak season, so it is the busiest and priciest. Early September can be a quieter, still-warm alternative.
Book the ferries and cruises ahead
The two things that sell out are the Mackinac Island ferry and the Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising. Reserve both ahead for summer weekends, and check the last return ferry from Mackinac so you do not get stranded on the island.
Long but easy driving
The whole loop is roughly 700 miles of mostly flat, easy highway between one freshwater coast and the next. The biggest leg is the Upper Peninsula across to Door County, so plan snacks and a lunch stop to break it up, and leave with daylight to spare.
Reserve lodging early in the gateways
Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Munising, and Door County all fill up fast in summer, and some have limited rooms to begin with. Book lodging in your base towns well ahead, and remember Mackinac Island is car-free so you stage from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
Pack for sand, sun, and cold water
You'll want sunscreen and water shoes for blazing-hot dune sand, swimsuits for the bays, and a warm layer for boat cruises on Lake Superior, where it is much colder out on the water than on shore even on a hot day.
Carry state and federal park passes
A Sleeping Bear Dunes pass (or the America the Beautiful pass) covers the scenic drive and beaches in Michigan, and a Wisconsin state-park pass covers Peninsula State Park. Buy them at the entrance or online ahead to skip the line.
Break the long UP-to-Door County drive
The Day 6 leg out of Munising down to Door County is the longest and most tiring of the trip, and dining and rest stops thin out once you leave the Lake Superior shore. A good midway break is Fayette Historic State Park near Escanaba, a preserved 1800s ghost town on a pretty harbor where kids can stretch their legs and eat before you press on into Wisconsin.
Great Lakes: questions before you go
Great Lakes family road trip: the questions people ask most.
A classic Great Lakes family road trip loops around the top of Lake Michigan and the south shore of Lake Superior: start in Traverse City, climb the Sleeping Bear Dunes, ferry to car-free Mackinac Island, cross into the Upper Peninsula for the Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising, then finish among the lighthouses and cherry orchards of Door County, Wisconsin. It mixes dunes, beaches, ferries, and easy hikes that work for all ages.
About a week is ideal. Seven days lets you spend time in Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes, take a full day on Mackinac Island, base in Munising for Pictured Rocks, and finish in Door County, without rushing the long driving legs. You can stretch it to 10 days by adding the Apostle Islands in northern Wisconsin or more beach time.
Summer, June through August, is the best and really the only time the water is warm enough for kids to swim, especially in Lake Michigan's shallow bays. It is also peak season, so it is the busiest and you must book ferries and lodging ahead. Early September is a quieter, still-pleasant alternative, and fall brings gorgeous color but cold water.
Yes, in summer. The Mackinac Island ferry and the Pictured Rocks boat cruise out of Munising are the two things that sell out on busy weekends. Reserve both in advance, and check the last return ferry time from Mackinac Island so you do not miss the boat back to the mainland.
No. Mackinac Island is famously car-free. The only ways around are bikes, horse-drawn carriages, and walking, which makes it a fun, low-stress stop with kids. You leave your vehicle in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, take the ferry over, and pack light, bringing only a day bag or a single packed bag if you stay overnight.
Good base towns are Traverse City, Michigan for the Sleeping Bear Dunes stretch, Munising, Michigan for Pictured Rocks, and Sturgeon Bay or a bayside village in Door County, Wisconsin. You can also stay on or near Mackinac Island. All of these fill up fast in summer and some have limited rooms, so reserve lodging well ahead.
Traverse City (TVC) is the most convenient airport for the Michigan side, and Green Bay (GRB) is closest to Door County. Many families instead fly into a bigger hub like Detroit (DTW) or Chicago and drive up, turning the approach into part of the road trip. Pick your fly-in and fly-out cities to match a loop that minimizes backtracking.
Yes. The whole loop is roughly 700 miles of mostly flat, easy highway with plenty of state-park beaches and ice-cream stops to break it up. The hikes are short, the ferries and boat cruises are big hits with kids, and the longest single leg is the Upper Peninsula across to Door County, which you can split with a lunch stop.
They can wade and splash, but keep it short. Lake Superior around Munising stays bracingly cold all year, so even on a warm late-July afternoon the water at Miners Beach can be a shock to younger children after a minute or two. Save the long swims for Lake Michigan's shallow, sun-warmed bays around Traverse City, and treat the Superior beaches as clear-water photo and paddling stops instead.
The Day 6 leg is the longest of the trip and services get sparse once you leave the Lake Superior shore, so plan a stop rather than pushing straight through. Fayette Historic State Park near Escanaba is a good midway break: a preserved 1800s iron-smelting ghost town on a quiet harbor where kids can walk around and stretch their legs. Pack snacks and top off fuel before you set out, since dining and rest stops are thin on this stretch.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 7-day route. Same 15 stops.
- 2 nights, a campsite near Traverse City
- $44
- 1 night, a campsite near Mackinaw City
- $22
- 2 nights, a campsite near Munising
- $44
- 1 night, a campsite near Sturgeon Bay
- $22
- Sunset kayak tour · Peninsula Kayak Company
- Priced when you book
- 2 nights, a room in Traverse City
- from $294
- 1 night, a room in Mackinaw City
- from $150
- 2 nights, a room in Munising
- from $400
- 1 night, a room in Sturgeon Bay
- from $190
- Sunset kayak tour · Peninsula Kayak Company
- Priced when you book
- A private local guide, rooms and campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked September 2026
You might also love these
Other itineraries near this one.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: 3-Day Weekend Itinerary
A 3-day Sleeping Bear Dunes weekend itinerary from Traverse City: the Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Point,…
Michigan Road Trip: A 10-Day Upper and Lower Peninsula Itinerary
Ten days across two peninsulas: Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City, across the Mackinac Bridge to car-free Mackinac Island,…
Pictured Rocks Backpacking: A 3-Day Lakeshore Itinerary
Three days backpacking the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail above Lake Superior: Miners Castle, Mosquito Beach, Chapel Rock and Chapel…
Guides for this tripMackinac Island Things to DoPictured Rocks National LakeshoreThe Best Sleeping Bear Dunes Hikes for FamiliesMidwest Road Trip
What adventurers say about us.
All reviews are from verified guests. ★★★★★ 5.0 average from 20+ bookings.
"Felt like going out with a really knowledgeable friend who just happens to know everything about the area. No awkward tour-guide energy, just a magnificent day."
"Yulia is an incredible guide. She knew every trail, every viewpoint, and exactly how to pace the day for our group. The photos she took of us were stunning. 100% booking again."
"I was visiting Seattle solo and this was the best decision I made on the trip. Yulia picked me up, had snacks, and took us to a trail I never would have found on my own. Absolute must-do."
"We did this as a couple's trip and it was perfect. Yulia adapted everything to us, our pace, our interests, our photo obsession. The mountain views were unreal."
"Phenomenal experience. Yulia has deep local knowledge and a real passion for the outdoors. She went out of her way to show us the hidden gems tourists never see. Will remember this forever."
"I've done a few guided hikes and this was by far the best. Yulia is warm, funny, and genuinely expert. The trail she chose had the most insane wildflower bloom, we got so lucky."
Fees, reservation windows, shuttle dates and trail closures are planning estimates. Confirm hours, road status and any reservations with the land manager before you go.
What other travelers are saying
Be the first to leave a tip or question for the next traveler.
Was this helpful?
One tap. It goes straight to Yulia and Margarita.
You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
The WaveCoyote Buttes North · Arizona / UtahPermitLotterybrutal odds
Half Dome CablesYosemite NP · CaliforniaPermitOpens Mar 1fair odds
Mt. WhitneyInyo NF · CaliforniaPermitOpens Feb 1tough odds
Angels LandingZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
The SubwayZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
Mount St. Helens Summit ClimbGifford Pinchot NF · WashingtonPermitReservationtough odds
How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.