Top 10 Nature & Parks in Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula

February 4, 2022 Renato Branum

Discover the best top things to do in Upper Peninsula, United States including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Presque Isle River, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Palms Book State Park, Lakenenland Sculpture Park, Bond Falls, Sugarloaf Mountain, Miners Castle Rock, Presque Isle Park, Black River Harbor Recreation Area.
Restaurants in Upper Peninsula

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Headquarters on Sand Point Rd Between Munising and Grand Marais, Munising, MI 49862 +1 906-387-3700 http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,081 reviews

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Park located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes.

Reviewed By 211charissek - Troy, United States

To actually see the pictured rocks you must either rent kayaks to get close up and personal, or take the boat tour.The double tiered boat gives you sensational views of the magnificent turquoise, orange, brown, copper, pink colors within the stones sculpted and worn by the seas of Lake Superior. The backdrop of the turquoise water is reminiscent of the pacific ocean and is a sight to behold.

2. Presque Isle River

Ontonagon, MI +1 906-885-5275 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=426
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 158 reviews

Presque Isle River

Waterfalls and a multilevel boardwalk make this river at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park worth seeing.

Reviewed By MadDogTraveler - Valparaiso, United States

Walking the trails along the river was beautiful. There are areas where waterfalls form. You can even hike to where it dumps into lake superior, which was really cool to see.

3. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953-9087 +1 906-885-5275 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 597 reviews

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Consists of 60,000 acres of lakes, forests and rivers.

Reviewed By TUrbanik - Clawson, United States

Wanting to take in some fall color while staying relatively close to home my wife and I decided to spend a week kicking around in the Upper Peninsula (Michigan). We’ve spent a fair amount of time on the east side of the UP but not a lot over on the west. So this time we set out for The Porcupine Mountains, located in Ontonagon, Mi. Some 60 miles from Ironwood which sits on the MI/WI boarder. Never having spent anytime in the Porcupine Mtns. (Porky’s as I have heard some refer), and only having two days to do so, we wanted to take in as much as possible. First off we tent camped at Union Bay campground, which is modern with all the amenities. They have a variety of available sites that range from rustic to modern. I recommend checking with the ranger station to get a map. They will also help steer your visit. With limited time I suggest hitting Lake Of The Clouds, Summit Peak and Presque Isle River. These three spots give you a good sense of what the park has to offer, and from there you can branch off to focus on what really strikes your interest. While there are many trails to explore, there are trails for each skill level and ability. All the trails are well marked with trail markers. Most are a combination of foot trails, boardwalks and stairs. Lake of the Clouds offer breath taking views, Summit Peak also offers great views with the addition of a watchtower, and Presque Isle River takes you on a hike along either shore, (take a short suspension bridge to the footpath or use the boardwalk on the near side), to view some beautiful waterfalls all the way to the mouth of the river as it empties into Lake Superior. Our visit was in mid September so crowds were minimal, but families, couples and singles were present. Weather was unseasonably mild. Would advise coming prepared for anything , as the UP can be unpredictable. Good Hiking.

4. Palms Book State Park

Manistique, MI 49854 +1 906-341-2355 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=425&type=SPRK
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 301 reviews

Palms Book State Park

Reviewed By romanekj - Lansing, United States

Palms Book State Park’s Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is an Ojibwa word said to have many meanings, including The Great Water, The Blue Sky I See, and The Roaring Bubbling Spring. Kitch-iti-kipi is 200’ in diameter, 42′ deep and delivers 16,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute. The water stays at 45 degrees year round. You can ride the observation raft for a beautiful view across the spring. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the floating dock was closed for a long time but, since people kept breaking the locks, it was opened very recently. Looking down the center of the raft, you can see the bubbling spring doing its work. Large trout seemed to be everywhere, but no fishing is allowed. A must see!!! #puremichigan #summer2020 #nofilter

5. Lakenenland Sculpture Park

2800 State Highway M28 E, Marquette, MI 49855-9537 +1 906-249-1132 [email protected] http://www.lakenenland.com
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 529 reviews

Lakenenland Sculpture Park

Reviewed By magiccarpet2029 - Lansing, United States

A favorite to do in the area, this sculpture park is a unique stop for those traveling to or from the Marquette/Munising area. They do change out the sculptures so make sure you check this fun stop out if visiting annually. Donation is asked but not required.

6. Bond Falls

Ontonagon, MI 49953
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 393 reviews

Bond Falls

Reviewed By ChristinePolicandrio

Beautiful place!! We were awestruck!! Kid and dog friendly!! Great trails!! Gift shop had really nice stuff!!

7. Sugarloaf Mountain

County Road 550, Marquette, MI +1 906-273-0978 http://www.co.marquette.mi.us/departments/planning/sugarloaf_mountain.php
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 536 reviews

Sugarloaf Mountain

Reviewed By MissNeedles - West Union, United States

Great hike, take the difficult path as it is less sets of wood steps, which are hard on knees.Views+

8. Miners Castle Rock

Munising, MI http://www.lakesuperiorphoto.com/miners_castle_collapse.html
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 838 reviews

Miners Castle Rock

Reviewed By cristipayton - Lowell, United States

The walk to the lookout is easy, just a few hundred steps from the parking lot and the views of Lake Superior and shoreline are STUNNING!

9. Presque Isle Park

Peter White Dr., Marquette, MI http://www.mqtcty.org/parks-presque-isle.php
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 942 reviews

Presque Isle Park

Reviewed By 936timl - Edwardsburg, United States

The whole family did it - 17 & 15 yr old boys and a 10 yr old daughter - even Mom & Dad! Really cool and safe jump from about 20 feet into the crystal clear (and refreshingly chilly) Lake Superior waters near Marquette, MI!

10. Black River Harbor Recreation Area

County Road 513, Ironwood, MI 49938 +1 906-932-1330 http://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/ottawa/specialplaces
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 63 reviews

Black River Harbor Recreation Area

Reviewed By TAFCRacer - Mechanic Falls, United States

We visited the Black River Harbor Recreational Area of the Ottawa National Forest recently for a family reunion. This recreational area is located 14 miles north of US Route 2 in Bessemer, Michigan. It features boat access to Lake Superior, camping, a large grassy area with charcoal cooking grills, a sandy beach, many hiking trails with scenic overlooks and a large enclosed pavillion (with flush toilets) that can be reserved for events. About 60 of us enjoyed our afternoon at Black River Harbor, using the pavillion facilities. I took a short 1-1/2 mile hike to and from Rainbow Falls and was impressed with the enormous old growth trees in the forest. It was also very cool to hear the people playing in the park fade into silence during the hike, let my mind get lost in the still quiet of the forest, then slowly begin to hear the waterfall as I hiked closer to it. This is a wonderful place to visit & relax, as a solo trip, or with family & friends.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.