Two Peninsulas, One Great Trip
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of the last genuinely wild places in the eastern half of the United States — 15,000 square miles with four times more elk than people in some counties, 300-year-old hemlock forests, and a shoreline on three of the five Great Lakes. The Lower Peninsula's northwest corner adds Sleeping Bear Dunes and the cherry blossom country of the Leelanau Peninsula. Connect them over Mackinac Bridge and you have one of the great American road trips.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 10 days
- Start/Finish: Traverse City, MI (fly in/out)
- Transport: Rental car + ferry crossings
Days 1-2 — Mackinac Island
Ferry to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City (Arnold Line, 18 minutes). Mackinac Island has banned motor vehicles since 1898 — 80% of the island is state park, accessible only by foot, bicycle, or horse. Rent a bike at the dock and ride the 8-mile shoreline road, then climb to Fort Mackinac for views of the Straits of Mackinac. Hike Arch Rock Trail (1.5 miles) to the natural limestone arch 146 feet above Lake Huron. Stay at Mission Point Resort or the Grand Hotel (splurge — the porch alone is worth it). Day 2: ferry back, drive north on US-2 to Tahquamenon.
Days 3-4 — Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Falls is Michigan's most spectacular waterfall — the Upper Falls carries more water than any other waterfall east of the Mississippi (except Niagara). The brown, tea-colored water is stained by tannins from the surrounding cedar swamp. Hike the 4-mile North Country Trail loop from the parking area through old-growth hemlock to the Upper Falls overlook, then paddle a rowboat rental between the Upper and Lower Falls (unique boat-between-the-falls experience). Camp at the hike-in sites above the river in the old-growth zone.
Days 5-6 — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Kayak)
Drive west to Munising — the gateway to Pictured Rocks. Rent kayaks from Northern Waters Adventures and paddle the first 6 miles of cliffed shoreline from Miners Beach to Miners Castle: 200-foot sandstone cliffs stained with mineral streaks in red, green, and orange, with sea caves accessible from the water. Camp at Miners Beach campground and hike the Chapel Loop (10 miles) on Day 6 for the inland view of Chapel Falls, Chapel Lake, and the Chapel Rock arch above Lake Superior.
Days 7-8 — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Drive south on M-28 to US-31 and turn for Empire, MI. Two days at Sleeping Bear: Day 7 hike Pyramid Point Trail (4.2 miles, best Lake Michigan overlook in the state) and swim from North Bar Lake beach. Day 8: North Manitou Island ferry from Leland for a day hike on the wilderness island — or paddle Crystal Lake by kayak for a calmer half-day option.
Days 9-10 — Traverse City Base
End in Traverse City, Michigan's outdoor hub for the Lower Peninsula. Day 9: hike the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (the full 27-mile multi-use trail runs from Empire to Glen Arbor — ride the southern section by bike for the best views). Day 10: Sleeping Bear Dune Climb one last time at sunrise before driving to Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) for departure.
