Lake Superior Vactions, Your Superior guide to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Best Enjoyed: Mid-September to Early October
Approximate Length: 185 miles

Begin your tour in Marquette, the Upper Peninsula's largest city. Before heading out of town, be sure to visit the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse leased by the Marquette Maritime Museum. The lighthouse was constructed in 1866 and is the oldest significant structure in the city and more importantly, the lighthouse is one of the most historic navigation beacons on Lake Superior.

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Presque Isle Park is also worth a visit. As Marquette's recreational crown jewel, the 323 acre forested oval shaped park juts into Lake Superior in the northern tip of the City and is served by a number of foot trails. There are a number of scenic turnouts for those wishing to stop and travel by foot on a portion, or simply enjoy the scenery.

As you leave Marquette, head north on County Road 550 to Big Bay. The 35 minute ride is an impressive drive through cut rock harboring a beautiful array of fall color. If you're feeling adventurous, you may want to stop and climb Sugarloaf Mountain, a 20 minute hike.

In Big Bay, you'll find Thunder Bay Inn, a historic lumber baron inn, used as a location for the film "Anatomy of a Murder." Stop in and visit the gift shop or restaurant and pub. Also call the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast to schedule a tour of one of the few surviving resident lighthouses in the country.

The return trip from Big Bay along County Road 510 will take you through the majestic Huron Mountains and through trees which arch over the roadway to form a tunnel of color.

At US-41 take a right and head south into Negaunee. While in Negaunee visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum which includes hands-on exhibits, outdoor interpretive paths and is the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. As you leave Negaunee, follow M-28 to Ishpeming, home of the National Ski Hall of Fame. Then take County Road 476 to Palmer.

From Palmer, follow M-35 south to Gwinn. The Anderson Lake West State Forest Campground offers hiking and mountain biking opportunities on six miles of rolling terrain. Continue south on M-35 to Little Lake and take County Road 456 east to US-41. Take a left on US-41 heading north to M-94. Turn right on M-94 to Chatham. Three miles north off M-94 at Sundell is Laughing Whitefish Falls, one of the Upper Peninsula's many impressive waterfalls. The site features a mile of foot trails, picnic area with water pump and three observation decks overlooking the falls.

Continue east until you reach H-03 located between Chatham and Forest Lake. Drive north on H-03 along the AuTrain River and past scenic AuTrain Lake until you reach the junction of M-28. Travel east along the Lake Superior shoreline on M-28. For a short hike, stop at Tyoga Pathway, 12 miles west of AuTrain. Complete your tour by continuing west on M-28 back to Marquette.