How long is the Upper Peninsula Michigan: St. Ignace to Copper Harbor route?

This route takes 9 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from St. Ignace to Copper Harbor in Michigan (Upper Peninsula), United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Late May to mid-October; fall colour peaks early Oct.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

Any self-driven vehicle works well for this route.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip, Coastal.

Upper Peninsula Michigan: St. Ignace to Copper Harbor

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The route · 7 stops

1
St. Ignace
1 night
Your gateway to the U.P., just over the five-mile Mackinac Bridge. One night sets you up: walk the waterfront boardwalk, visit the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, and consider a ferry to car-free Mackinac Island for a day before the drive north. Fuel up and stock supplies here.
Your gateway to the U.P., just over the five-mile Mackinac Bridge. One night sets you up: walk the waterfront boardwalk, visit the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, and consider a ferry to car-free Mackinac Island for a day before the drive north. Fuel up and stock supplies here.
Mackinac Island ferries run from St. Ignace. Take the first morning boat to beat the crowds and leave your car on the mainland.
2
Sault Ste. Marie
1 night1h 22m · 98 km from previous
Michigan's oldest city, on the St. Marys River across from Canada. The draw is the Soo Locks: stand at the free viewing platform as 1,000-foot lake freighters are raised and lowered between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Add the Valley Camp freighter museum if time allows.
Michigan's oldest city, on the St. Marys River across from Canada. The draw is the Soo Locks: stand at the free viewing platform as 1,000-foot lake freighters are raised and lowered between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Add the Valley Camp freighter museum if time allows.
Check the Soo Locks freighter schedule online and time your visit for a passing ship. The viewing platform and park are free.
3
Paradise
1 night58m · 70 km from previous
Base for Tahquamenon Falls, the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, its amber water stained by upstream cedar swamps. See the thundering Upper Falls, then walk or paddle to the quieter Lower Falls. Detour to Whitefish Point for the lighthouse and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
Base for Tahquamenon Falls, the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, its amber water stained by upstream cedar swamps. See the thundering Upper Falls, then walk or paddle to the quieter Lower Falls. Detour to Whitefish Point for the lighthouse and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
The Upper and Lower Falls have separate car parks four miles apart. One Michigan Recreation Passport covers both.
4
Munising
2 nights2h 18m · 165 km from previous
The heart of the trip and the launch point for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 42 miles of banded sandstone cliffs above Lake Superior. Take two nights: a boat or kayak cruise to Miners Castle and the painted walls, plus Munising Falls, Miners Beach and the glassy Kitch-iti-kipi spring nearby.
The heart of the trip and the launch point for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 42 miles of banded sandstone cliffs above Lake Superior. Take two nights: a boat or kayak cruise to Miners Castle and the painted walls, plus Munising Falls, Miners Beach and the glassy Kitch-iti-kipi spring nearby.
Book the Pictured Rocks boat cruise ahead for July to October. Kayak tours need calm water, so keep a flexible day.
5
Marquette
2 nights1h 4m · 77 km from previous
The U.P.'s largest city and a hub of Lake Superior life. Two nights gives time for Presque Isle Park's shoreline loop, the short steep climb up Sugarloaf Mountain for the harbour view, the historic ore dock, and a genuinely good food and brewery scene. The most urban stop on an otherwise wild route.
The U.P.'s largest city and a hub of Lake Superior life. Two nights gives time for Presque Isle Park's shoreline loop, the short steep climb up Sugarloaf Mountain for the harbour view, the historic ore dock, and a genuinely good food and brewery scene. The most urban stop on an otherwise wild route.
Sugarloaf Mountain is a short, steep hike with a boardwalk option. Go near sunset for the best light over the bay.
6
Houghton
1 night1h 59m · 143 km from previous
Gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula and Michigan's copper country, set on the Portage Lake waterway. Tour the Quincy Mine and its towering hoist above Hancock, then walk the historic main streets of the two towns. A lively college town and the last full-service base before Copper Harbor.
Gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula and Michigan's copper country, set on the Portage Lake waterway. Tour the Quincy Mine and its towering hoist above Hancock, then walk the historic main streets of the two towns. A lively college town and the last full-service base before Copper Harbor.
Fuel up and stock supplies in Houghton. Services thin out sharply on the drive north to Copper Harbor.
7
Copper Harbor
1 night1h 10m · 84 km from previous
Journey's end at the wild tip of the Keweenaw. Tiny and remote, it rewards the drive: the Brockway Mountain Drive for the highest paved view over Lake Superior, the historic Copper Harbor Lighthouse, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, and some of the Midwest's best mountain-bike trails.
Journey's end at the wild tip of the Keweenaw. Tiny and remote, it rewards the drive: the Brockway Mountain Drive for the highest paved view over Lake Superior, the historic Copper Harbor Lighthouse, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, and some of the Midwest's best mountain-bike trails.
Copper Harbor is seasonal and many businesses close from late October to May. Book lodging ahead in summer and fall.

Upper Peninsula Michigan: St. Ignace to Copper Harbor

The route · 7 stops

St. Ignace

Sault Ste. Marie

Paradise

Munising

Marquette

Houghton

Copper Harbor

Route highlights

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Upper Peninsula Michigan: St. Ignace to Copper Harbor

The route · 7 stops

St. Ignace

Sault Ste. Marie

Paradise

Munising

Marquette

Houghton

Copper Harbor

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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