Tag: Upper Peninsula

  • A Great Stay at Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

    A Great Stay at Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

    Scattered south of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are a handful of state forest campgrounds. Like most of these campgrounds, Cusino offers some peaceful views, recreational opportunities, and solitude. Cusino Lake State Forest Campground has 6 sites that are all first-come, first-serve. The sites are available for tents…

  • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Sable Falls

    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Sable Falls

    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its stunning rock formations, massive cliffs, and elegant waterfalls. It is an outdoor adventurers dream paradise. Nature’s finest. Sable Falls is no exception. Located on the east side of the park near Grand Marais, Sable Falls drops over 75 feet over sandstone formations…

  • Camping at Marquette Tourist Campground

    Camping at Marquette Tourist Campground

    Finding a place to camp near Marquette can be quite a challenge. There aren’t very many options if you want to be close to the city. There is, however, the Marquette Tourist Campground. This campground is located in a nicely wooded park on the Dead River. It has 110 camping…

  • The Awe-Inspiring Grand Sable Dunes

    The Awe-Inspiring Grand Sable Dunes

    From the sandy beaches on the Great Lakes to the massive dunes that tower above them, Michigan has some incredibly beautiful sandscapes. When you mention these sandy terrains to someone from Michigan, it’s likely that they think of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes or Silver Lake Sand Dunes. But the…

  • A Roadside Stop: Jacob’s Falls

    A Roadside Stop: Jacob’s Falls

    Michigan has few roadside waterfalls that compare with the beauty of Jacob’s Falls. Located about 3 miles east of Eagle River in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, Jacob’s Falls provides something for everyone. From tt’s roadside convenience of it’s final drop to the more adventurous upper drops, this waterfall allows people of all…

  • Camping at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

    Camping at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

    If you’re looking for a campground in the Copper Harbor area, you’ll quickly find that your options are limited. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is one of three options currently available for campers and in my opinion, has the best to offer for what you pay. The park itself features…

  • Hiking to Hunter’s Point

    Hiking to Hunter’s Point

    While not the best views in the area, Hunter’s Point provides a quick stop with some interesting sights. Located just west of Copper Harbor, Hunter’s Point is a 9.4 acre of land that juts out into Lake Superior. It has pebbly beaches (and trails) with some nice views of basalt…

  • Camping in the Porkies: Union Bay Campground

    Camping in the Porkies: Union Bay Campground

    Union Bay Campground is a modern campground located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Without a doubt, this campground has some of the finest sunset and sunrise spots in the area. Even in a modern campground, camping on the shores of Lake Superior in July can be risky. It’s prime…

  • Hiking Hogback Mountain

    Hiking Hogback Mountain

    Considered Marquette’s second most popular summit, Hogback Mountain’s rugged terrain, hemlock forests, and stunning views make this an incredible hike. While the trail is well marked, getting to the summit of Hogback isn’t easy. It is a strenuous hike across bare bluffs and up steep mountainside. The first half of…

  • A Winter Visit: Black River Falls

    A Winter Visit: Black River Falls

    Bobbling frozen bubbles and a roaring winter waterfalls. Not quite an enchanting winter scene but definitely nature making a statement. Black River Falls is a steep, wide chute nestled between two large outcroppings. Reaching 20 feet in height,  this single drop waterfall it is not the tallest in Marquette County, but it…

  • Mead Creek State Forest Campground

    Mead Creek State Forest Campground

    Finding a decent campground can be a difficult task. Because so many options are out there, small campgrounds like Mead Creek can be overlooked. We encountered Mead Creek in 2011 as an unplanned stop on our travels across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is located on the outskirts of the Seney…

  • Exploring Pictured Rocks: Au Sable Lightstation

    Exploring Pictured Rocks: Au Sable Lightstation

    Buried within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a picturesque lighthouse known as Au Sable Lightstation. This 144-year-old active lighthouse provides visitors with beautiful views of Lake Superior and a history of the area. Built in 1874 on Au Sable Point, this lighthouse was intended to not only eliminate a “dark…

  • A Winter Stay at Teddy Lake Yurt

    A Winter Stay at Teddy Lake Yurt

    There’s something special about staying in a Yurt. It’s a unique experience that most Michiganders have yet to discover. Our first experience with one was at Teddy Lake in Michigan’s Craig Lake State Park. The Teddy Lake Yurt is available year-round, making it a perfect winter get-away. Because it is…

  • Bushwhacking to Mulligan Falls

    Bushwhacking to Mulligan Falls

    Mulligan Falls is one of those remote, wild waterfalls that has no easy access point. There are no established trails through the overgrown banks, not even a game path. But at 40 feet in height and with multiple drops, all different from the last, the incentive is too good to pass…

  • Two Favorite Waterfalls of Marquette County

    Two Favorite Waterfalls of Marquette County

    Marquette County is a waterfall explorer’s dream. With all different types and sizes, we never know what we might run across. Morgan Falls and Carp River Falls are two that offered us plenty of surprises. Located at the end of Morgan Creek, Morgan Falls tumbles 20 feet over a volcanic…

  • McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls

    McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls

    Upon approach, the McCormick Wilderness trailhead looks like any other. However, before embarking on your hike, you must leave detailed information about where you are going, how long you will be there, and your emergency contact information. Why? Because the trails are unmarked and it is easy to get lost.…

  • The Beautiful Quartzite Falls

    The Beautiful Quartzite Falls

    It is well known by now that we love everything about Slate River. From its towering slate walls to it’s unique, rugged river bed. With Slate River, there is always something special around the bend. In 2015, Steve and I visited Black Slate Falls for the first time. This waterfall…

  • UPDATED: Top 15 Favorite Michigan Waterfalls

    UPDATED: Top 15 Favorite Michigan Waterfalls

    It’s been nearly two years since we compiled our list of our favorite Michigan Waterfalls. While we still have not seen all 272, we have crossed a dozen or so more off of our list and thought it was about time we update our list. These are our top 15…

  • The Hills of Blind 35

    The Hills of Blind 35

    Welcome to the Huron Mountains. That’s the message we received when we crested the top of the Blind 35 Hill. No special platform, no group of people. Just simply the mountains. Since buying the property in the area, we have been eyeing the massive rock face that we have begun…

  • Hiking Thomas Rock

    Hiking Thomas Rock

    Thomas Rock, previously known as Gobbler’s Knob, may not have the 360-degree views that the neighboring Sugarloaf Mountain has, but it still offers something spectacular. We discovered this scenic site back in 2013 and it has yet to lose its charm. Visitors follow a paved, interpretive trail to the top…

  • To the Top! Michigan’s Tallest Point – Mount Arvon

    To the Top! Michigan’s Tallest Point – Mount Arvon

    We visited the top of the world! Well, Michigan’s top of the world. At 1,979 feet above sea level, Mount Arvon is Michigan’s highest point. It resides in the Huron Mountain range, a wild and untamed area that stretches roughly from Marquette to L’Anse. Accessible by most vehicles, Mount Arvon…

  • An Explorer’s Guide to Big Pup Falls

    An Explorer’s Guide to Big Pup Falls

    Located off of Country Road 510 between Marquette and Big Bay, Michigan is a small but beautiful little waterfall called Big Pup. Although not as impressive as it’s “big brother” down the road, Big Pup offers something magical to those who take the time to visit it, especially in the spring.…

  • Climbing the AAA Walls

    Climbing the AAA Walls

    “Welcome to the AAA Walls” The sign that greeted us was dwarfed by the massive rock wall looming before us. Based on topographical maps, we knew that something pretty large sat near AAA Road (Marquette County, Upper Peninsula) but we never suspected it was a solid wall of rock. “With…

  • A Perfect Campground: 12 Mile Beach

    A Perfect Campground: 12 Mile Beach

    What does it take to make a perfect campground? Amazing views? Great Hikes? To us, 12 Mile Beach Campground in the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore has it all. Located right on a sandy bluff above Lake Superior. And I mean right above. You could spend all day with your…

  • Find Peace at Wagner Falls

    Find Peace at Wagner Falls

    Wagner Falls is an amazing little waterfall. It is easy to access and beautiful in every season. This multiple drop waterfall is roughly 20 feet in height and located on Wagner Creek, just outside of Munising, Michigan. Our most recent trip was this past January where we put on our snow…