Michigan UP Lake Superior Circle Tour Travel Planner
Munising, Marquette to Houghton-Hancock, Michigan
Michigan Upper Peninsula Travel
Munising, Michigan and western part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (see pictures & more info here)
Munising Chamber Website: www.Munising.org
Munising is a popular destination area due to its lakeshore, area waterfalls, Grand Island National Recreation Area, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Non-camping travelers will find a number of decent motels for lodging options. RV campers should check out Bay Furnace. Camping is also available in Pictured Rocks Park and several national forest campgrounds south of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore park. In general these are more rustic campgrounds better suited for tent camping. The Munising Municipal Campground and the Bay Furnace National Forest Campground offer for modern conveniences. Figure to spend at least 4 hours in the Munising area seeing at least some of the sights.
Recommended places and things to do:
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Visit the Munising Falls Interpretative Center for information on Pictured Rocks as well as other Munising area visitor attractions.
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Waterfalls – Wagner Falls, Munising Falls, and Miners Falls.
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Easy nearby hikes in the western side of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Miners Castle, Miners Beach and Sand Point Marsh Trail.
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Take an excursion boat for a Pictured Rocks cruise, probably the best way to see the “Rocks.”
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Hikers or Mountain Bikers will enjoy taking the Passenger Ferry to Grand Island for hiking or biking; there is also a bus tour of the island available.
Munising to Marquette, Michigan (see pictures & more info here)
Chamber Website: www.marquettecountry.org
Continue on Hwy 28 west about 35 miles to Marquette. We like the downtown area and the nearby harbor park. If time for a breakfast, lunch or dinner stop, do it here to give you excuse to see more of the town. After visiting Marquette return to Hwy 28-41 and continue west. As you approach Ishpeming keep an eye out for “Da Yooper’s Tourist Trap” – a museum and store specializing at poking fun at the unique culture of the Upper Peninsula.
Marquette to Baraga, Michigan (see pictures & more info here)
Tourism Website: www.baragacountytourism.com
Continuing on Hwys 28-41, look for the turn off to the Village of Michigamme. Worth a stop if you like artisan shops, otherwise continue on. In about 20 miles, Hwy 28 and Hwy 41 separate; you stay on Highway 41 as it turns north. Look for Canyon Falls Wayside Park on the west side of the highway. It is only about a 15 minute hike down to the falls from the wayside parking lot. Continuing north on Hwy 41 you arrive in the twin towns of L’Anse and Baraga. Camping is available at Baraga State Park and in the town park across the bay in L’Anse. There are some nice waterfalls and hiking trails in the area if you plan to stay for a while. Otherwise continue through Baraga towards Houghton-Hancock. The drive offers nice views of Lake Superior and Portage Lake.