Table of Contents
Introduction
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a naturalist’s paradise. It contains over 8,000 miles of shoreline, with hundreds of islands and bays to explore. The U.P. is also home to thousands of lakes and ponds where you can go fishing or swimming, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with being surrounded by nothing but nature.
If you’re looking for a place to camp in the Upper Peninsula, there are many options available! Some of these campgrounds are ideal for families with small children—with activities like kayaking and hiking trails through the woods—while others cater more toward adults who want to enjoy some quiet time away from civilization (and their kids).
Tahquamenon Falls
Located in the Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls State Park boasts two waterfalls: Lower Tahquamenon Falls and Upper Tahquamenon Falls. The falls are part of the Tahquamenon River, which flows through a rugged gorge that is approximately 1 mile long. As you can see from the pictures below, these massive waterfalls are absolutely stunning!
If that’s not enough to convince you to visit this beautiful place, let me tell you about some other reasons why it should be on your bucket list:
- You can hike or take a tram ride up to see both of them at once (or even visit them separately if you want)
- There are also several trails throughout the park that lead to other parts of nature – like wildflowers or streams – so don’t forget your camera!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
There’s no better place to camp than the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It’s a beautiful, serene landscape, and it’s just a stone’s throw from Lake Superior. If you’re looking for your next great adventure, I would suggest heading up north.
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located along Lake Superior and it offers countless opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of this region. You can walk on sand dunes, hike through forests or just take in views of Lake Superior as you stand right on its shoreline. The Pictured Rocks are some of the most popular features here – they’re huge rock formations that jut out into water making them look like paintings! Other highlights include climbing up Sleeping Bear Dunes and seeing amazing views from atop them (if you don’t want to climb all those steps).
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is located in the Porcupine Mountains of the Upper Peninsula, about 50 miles northeast of Ontonagon. It’s a great place for camping and hiking, as well as canoeing, kayaking and fishing. The park is also great for bird watching and cross-country skiing. If you’re lucky enough to be there during the winter months, expect snowshoeing opportunities instead of hiking through the mountains.
Mackinac Island
If you’re in the mood for a leisurely getaway, Mackinac Island is your place. The small island off Michigan’s Upper Peninsula draws tourists from around the world to enjoy its Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and scenic views of Lake Huron. The only way to get there is by ferry: it takes only a few minutes to cross from St. Ignace or Mackinaw City over to this fairytale land where everything seems like it should exist only in dreams.
Once you arrive on the island, make sure you do not miss out on any of its unique attractions! Walk through Fort Mackinac (a reconstructed fort built during the War of 1812) and learn about life at this historic fort during colonial times through exhibits and reenactments by costumed actors. Or explore some of Mackinac Island’s other historic sites such as Stonecliffe Mansion or Historic Districts 1 & 2 (both feature buildings constructed between 1800–1900).
Hiawatha National Forest
If you’re looking for a quick getaway with the family, Hiawatha National Forest is one of the best places to go. Located in the northern Lower Peninsula, this popular camping area is home to many activities including fishing, hiking and boating. The lakes are full of trout that can be caught by novice anglers as well as seasoned pros!
The hiking trails offer beautiful scenery of lakes and forests. They range from easy walks to more challenging hikes that will test your endurance as well as give you a good workout. If you want an experience unlike any other then try hiking up Mount Arvon which is known for its stunning views!
Fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of places throughout Hiawatha National Forest where they can pull out their rods or nets and catch some fish while enjoying nature’s beauty at its best! Whether it’s fly fishing or deep sea fishing there is something here for everyone who loves getting out on their boats while exploring this gorgeous area; so don’t forget yours when planning your trip because we’ve got everything else covered 🙂
Pictured Rock National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a beautiful place to camp in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. The park has plenty of places to camp and many different activities that you can enjoy while you are there.
The park is located on Lake Superior, just east of Grand Marais, which means it’s only about an hour drive away from Marquette County Airport (MQT). This makes it easy for tourists who want to fly into town because they don’t have to worry about renting a car or driving more than a few hours after they land.
The most popular activities at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are hiking and kayaking on Lake Superior itself! Some people even bring their own canoes so that they can paddle out into the water with their friends or family members. There’s also some cool rock formations where hikers can climb around as well as take pictures looking down upon them from above–which makes for some awesome Instagram photos if done right! It may seem like dangerous work climbing up these cliffs above ground level but there are actually steel cables connected all throughout this area so climbers won’t fall off if they slip somehow (this does happen sometimes though…but usually only once per tour group).
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an adventure, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has all the spots and amenities you could want. From lakes to waterfalls and rivers, there is plenty to explore. And with several campgrounds that offer lodging options as well as traditional camping experiences, anyone can find their own great place in this beautiful region.
