Explore Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on These 12 Scenic Drives
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has plenty of well-known scenic spots and landmarks, but it’s also a hidden gem for scenic drives, boasting breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty that’s the best in the state.
From the rugged coastline of Lake Superior to the dense forests and tranquil inland lakes, the U.P. offers a diverse range of picturesque routes for road trippers to explore.
Whether it’s the peaceful tranquility of the forests or the awe-inspiring vistas of the lakeshores, the Upper Peninsula promises an unforgettable journey for all who venture along its most scenic routes.
M-123 Tahquamenon Scenic Byway
Known to locals simply as M-123, this U-shaped scenic route winds through the U.P. for more than 60 miles from Newberry to Eckerman — through small towns, thick forest, and alongside Whitefish Bay and the Tahquamenon River.
Travelers can learn a bit of history at the Luce County Historical Museum, enjoy the scenery of Hamilton Lake Natural Area and Muskallonge Lake State Park, and visit the Tahquamenon Logging Museum among other stops.
Brockway Mountain Drive
Situated near Copper Harbor, the Brockway Mountain Drive offers almost nine miles of indescribable Upper Peninsula beauty. It goes up more than 1,300 feet above sea level and offers views of Lake Superior and thousands of acres of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The drive begins about three miles east of Eagle Harbor and takes visitors over 700 feet above Lake Superior, offering views of the lake, Isle Royale, Copper Harbor, Mount Baldy, Lake Bailey, and Lake Medora.
H-58
Heading east of Munising offers a scenic 49-mile journey to Grand Marais. The majority of the journey takes travelers through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, offering views of one of Michigan’s great geological wonders.
Travelers can also run into several majestic U.P. waterfalls, including Munising Falls and Sable Falls. The trip also includes a pass by the Grand Sable Dunes, which offers incredible views along the Lake Superior shoreline.
M-35
A trip along M-35 from Menominee to Gladstone treats visitors to the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline and some hidden gems along Michigan’s Hidden Coast.
Travelers can go beach combing for rocks at John Henes Park, fish in waters near Escanaba, visit lighthouses, explore the Walk of Planets in downtown Escanaba, explore a local park, or play golf at local courses.
Lake Superior Circle Tour
As the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior offers plenty to see and plenty of shoreline to explore. The Lake Superior Circle Tour covers about 1,300 around the lake through Michigan, Minnesota, and Ontario, Canada, so travelers have plenty of spots worth stopping for.
In Michigan, travelers can go from one side of the U.P. to the other, stopping by sights at Whitefish Point, Grand Marais, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Marquette, Copper Harbor, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, and more.
Seney Wildlife Refuge
This 95,000-acre wildlife refuge is tucked along M-77 and M-28, but it’s a scenic place that offers fun for the whole family. It is home to numerous bird species and other animal species visitors may get a glimpse of while they’re there.
The refuge includes a seven-mile, one-way seasonal scenic drive — the Marshland Wildlife Drive — that goes through portions of wetlands and dense forests and includes several observation decks.
South Shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula
This scenic 21-mile drive takes travelers along the southern shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula from Gay to Lac La Belle. Along with the beautiful views of Lake Superior, the route passes beaches and parks, where the Huron Mountains can be seen in the distance.
DID YOU KNOW: The ghost town of Bete Grise is just five minutes from Lac La Belle.
This is the perfect route for those who love the fall colors as vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow stand out against the Keweenaw Peninsula’s mountainous terrain.
The Cooper Country Trail National Byway
This 47-mile stretch along US-41 is a trip through history on the way from Houghton to Copper Harbor. This stretch follows the copper lode that’s the basis for the U.P.’s copper mining success and led to the nickname “Copper Country.”
Many historic sites along the way illustrate the booms and busts of the region’s copper industry and include Quincy Mine, the Keweenaw Waterway, and Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.
Covered Road
The Tunnel of Trees — M-119 — is one of the most popular routes in Michigan, but Covered Road just west of Houghton gives the Tunnel of Trees a run for its money.
During the fall it looks like something straight out of a movie and this scenic dirt road will take trekkers looking for adventure past Lake Superior, the ghost town of Redridge, and Redridge Dam.
M-26 Lakeshore Drive Spur
At the very “tip of the hat” in the Keweenaw Peninsula, adventurers can travel roughly a half hour north from Eagle River along the Lake Superior shoreline up to Copper Harbor.
DID YOU KNOW: The nearly eight-mile stretch between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor is known as the “Sand Dune Drive” because of the Cat Harbor and Great Sand Bay dunes on the route.
The route packs a lot of scenery into just half an hour. It includes parks, lighthouses, waterfalls, cool spots like the Jampot Bakery, and miles of unhampered beauty in the northernmost region of Michigan.
US-2
US-2 stretches for over 2,500 miles across the northern US, but to Michiganders, it’s known as the main east-west road in the UP. It extends over 305 miles in the UP from Ironwood all the way to St. Ignace.
The route goes through several communities, including Crystal Falls, Iron Mountain, Escanaba, and Norway, and visitors pass by numerous beaches, campgrounds, scenic overlooks, and tourist spots to give travelers plenty to enjoy.
Federal Forest Highway 13
This stretch goes right through the center of the U.P. for about 40 miles near Munising to Nahma Junction. While it’s not near any lake shore, the road runs through scenic national forest lands and includes parks, campgrounds, and lakes — including Skeels Lake, Plumbob Lake, and Blue Lake.
This is an exciting route for travelers looking to get away from the lakes and find their own tranquility for a fun-filled camping trip or nature drive.
Plan a Scenic Drive in the Upper Peninsula
If you love road trips, then Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an absolute gold mine for those who love adventures. It’s a land of iconic natural attractions, a go-to place for fall foliage, rushing waterfalls, and unparalleled beauty.
Whether you want to enjoy a glimpse of the U.P.’s mining history along the Copper Country National Byway, enjoy sandy beaches in the Keweenaw Peninsula, visit small towns on US-2, or enjoy the scenic vistas of Brockway Mountain Drive, the U.P. has a scenic drive waiting for you to explore.