Sault Ste. Marie Michigan - Whitefish Bay
Waterfalls, Hiking & Camping - South Shore Lake Superior Circle Tour

On earlier Lake Superior Tours in the Upper Peninsula, we traveled west to east, ending up in Sault Ste. Michigan. In 2005, we had an opportunity to reverse that route, starting at the Soo and going west.

From the "Soo" we took Michigan 28 west to the Brimley turnoff, then in Brimley, continued west on Lake Shore Drive. We had dinner at Bay Mills Resort & Casino. Decent price for the meal; service could use improvement - but they were busy. The Casino also has an RV park. Later, we stopped by a wayside on Pendills Bay and caught another postcasd Lake Superior Sunset. (adjacent photo)

Lake Shore Drive eventually leaves the lakeshore and morphs into Curley Lewis Highway. It ends at Highway 123, which we took north towards Emerson and Paradise. At Emerson is the Riverside Mouth campground unit of Tahquamenon Falls state park. Highway 123 stays within view of the lake until you get to Paradise, a community with a number of craft shops, including a quilt shop - which made it a required stop for us. Beyond Paradise, 123 continues north until it ends at Whitefish Point lighthouse and Bird Observatory.

Get Acquainted with 2009 Passport Regulations - There are new requirements for motor travel between the United States and Canada.

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The Michigan side of the "Soo" is best known for its locks that handle the biggest freighters going between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. There's a riverside park with an observation deck that allows the visitor to get an upclose view of the big ships and how the locks work. Somewhere I've got some pictures but they are hiding on me. During our 2005 tour, we crossed the bridge from Ontario to the US Soo in the evening on the weekend of the 4th of July. Unfortunately this timing meant no time to stop as we had to find a spot to stay that evening. In 2006, we had a chance to re-visit the Soo and tour the Locks.

< < < The Tower of History

See the Soo Locks here

Here's some shots looking east from the bridge between the two "Soos." The shot on the left shows one of the power generation dams on the American side. The shot on the right shows the southern part of St. Mary's Island - which is on the Canadian side.

More photos of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Go Here for info on Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario

Whitefish Bay, Whitefish Point Upper Peninsula Michigan

While many travelers go directly to Tahquamenon Falls and from Paradise, if you have time take a side trip north to Whitefish Point Lighthouse. First activated in 1861, it continues in operation today - although in an automated version of its earlier self. Lighthouse tours are available. We also enjoyed walking the nearby beach.

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, is also located here at the northeastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, "Whitefish Point is a phenomenal concentration spot for migrating raptors, waterbirds, and song birds."

< < < A required stop in Paradise at Village Fabrics & Crafts so Joanne can browse their quilting fabrics. Go here for a listing of more Quilt Shops around Lake Superior.

Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

Whitefish Bay to Marquette Michigan

Michigan UP Copper Harbor & Keweenaw Peninsula

Ontario East Shore Lake Superior Tour

Get Acquainted with 2009 Passport Regulations - There are new requirements for motor travel between the United States and Canada.

SuperiorTrails
Lodging