Upper Peninsula Michigan - Great Waters/Pure Michigan Travel

The Shipwreck Coast in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of the "Drives of a Lifetime" -- National Geographic

Welcome to The Great Waters of Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula (UP). The Great Waters region of Michigan's UP offers endless opportunities to enjoy unspoiled natural beauty, unique history and off-the-beaten-track culture. Here you will find relaxation among the Upper Peninsula's serene landscapes, hidden lakes, quiet forests, tall timbers, rugged shores and coursing waterfalls. Here you will rediscover the amazement and awe of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the gift of wonder that is Pure Michigan's Great Waters region.

Maps

The Great Waters Radio Ad – "Wonderful"

Email this Audio

Click above to play: Experience Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, a magical place where the mighty Huron, Superior and Lake Michigan meet. Head north to The Great Waters and discover the wonder that is Pure Michigan.

Photo courtesy of Midwest Living (Photographer Per Breiehagen)

Rendezvous at Mackinac Straits - St. Ignace, Michigan

St. Ignace has a rich Native American history and was once the bustling hub of 17th century fur trade. The Mackinac Straits are alive and vivid with Michigan's Native American culture and history! Visit St. Ignace, the "Gateway to the Upper Peninsula."

Photo courtesy of St. Ignace CVB

Beautiful Lake Superior Beaches--Munising, Michigan

Plan your next adventure and explore Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula (UP). The Great Waters region is renown for its many natural features and beautiful beaches. There is no shortage of attractions along Michigan's Lake Superior!

Photo courtesy of Munising Visitors Bureau

Whitefish Point Light Station - Paradise, Michigan

The site of the first lighthouse on Michigan's Lake Superior is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, with artifacts and exhibits honoring the many mariners who traveled the Great Lakes. The Paradise area offers attractions for all seasons.

Photo courtesy of Paradise Area Tourism Council

International Bridge - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie is proud of its historic treasures and world-famous attractions. A destination for entrepreneurs and tourists, Sault Ste. Marie's downtown is a commercial anchor for the Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula (UP).

Photo courtesy of Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau

Aerial View – Les Cheneaux Islands

Les Cheneaux Islands are a group of 36 small islands that lie east of the Mackinac Bridge along the northern shore of Michigan's Lake Huron. Its shoreline natural "communities" including Cedarville and Hessel define Michigan beauty.

Photo courtesy of Lex Cheneaux Islands Tourist Association

Rough-Legged Hawk - Paradise, Michigan

Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is located at a major point for migratory birds. The observatory does bird counts and banding of various species and has many other programs - Visitors welcome!

Photo courtesy of Paradise Area Tourism Council

Michigan's Famous Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie

$Michigan\'s Famous Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie$

Marvel at the famous Soo Locks, a unique experience that cannot be seen anywhere else in the United States. Michigan's Soo Locks have been referred to as one of the world's great wonders and is the largest waterway traffic system on earth.

Photo courtesy of Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kitchitikipi "Big Springs" – Manistique, Michigan

200 feet across and 40 feet deep, Kitchitikipi is Michigan's largest spring. An amazing 10,000 gallons a minute gush from its fissures. View underwater features from the observation raft and explore other Manistique area attractions on your next Michigan trip.

Photo courtesy of Tom Bayerl

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Munising, Michigan

Join a breathtaking cruise along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, over 15 miles of sandstone cliffs and waterfalls along Michigan's Lake Superior. The crystal clear waters of Lake Superior have created a Michigan masterpiece found nowhere else in the world!

Photo courtesy of exploremunising.com

Michigan's Les Cheneaux Islands

$Michigan\'s Les Cheneaux Islands$

Michigan's Les Cheneaux Islands welcome you to a place that is quiet and peaceful. Cruise along the water to see the area's many boathouses. During fall season, when the crowds and heat are gone, experience stillness and sites ablaze with Michigan color.

Photo courtesy of Les Cheneaux Tourist Association

Take a Horse Drawn Tour of Mackinac Island

Since motor vehicles are restricted on Mackinac Island to protect the horse culture, navigating the roadways is done by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Public and private horse-drawn tours of Mackinac Island are offered daily May through October.

Photo courtesy of Monroe Davids

Tahquamenon Falls Near Newberry, Michigan

Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls will amaze you! The Upper Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Surrounded by rivers, inland lakes and camping facilities, find plenty of Newberry area attractions to enjoy during your Michigan vacation.

Photo courtesy of Travel Michigan

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Enjoy a panoramic view of birds, swans, turtles, ducks, deer and more at Seney National Wildlife Refuge located in Michigan's Manistique Lakes area. The refuge covers an amazing 95,212 acres to hike, canoe or kayak at your leisure.

Photo courtesy of Kerry G. Hill

Grand Rapids

Sunrise Coast

Lansing

Upper Peninsula Great Waters

Explore Great Waters Trails
Discover the splendor of Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula (UP) on our trail network. This area is particularly rich in culture and history, and each trail highlights the attractions and destinations of the region. Take a quest through deep forests to the mighty Tahquamenon Falls, see the quiet majesty of bald eagles and trumpeter swans at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, play on a Lake Huron beach or waterfront pleasures of the Les Cheneaux Islands and lose yourself in the turn-of-the century charm and history that is Mackinac Island. Wonder awaits on the Great Waters Trails.

Travel Packages
Spend the night in the 1923 Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Crews Quarters at Whitefish Point, enjoy your own private boat and cabin on Manistique Lake in Curtis, and paddle to the inner bays and remote islands of Les Cheneaux. Our travel packages are designed to make your Michigan Great Waters vacation enjoyable, affordable and easy to plan.

Camping
Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula (UP) is home to some of the best natural amenities and camping is perhaps the best way to enjoy them. Find great camping choices and plan your next Michigan vacation getaway to the Great Waters.

Lodging
Sleep well after your day's adventure in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula (UP). From rustic to luxury accommodations, lodging in the Great Waters is warm, friendly, stylish and authentic.

Itineraries
Discover sheltered bays, ancient paths, extraordinary geology and waterfalls. Explore Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Hike the Hiawatha National Forest sand dunes and witness the earth's largest waterway traffic system, the Soo Locks, in action. These itineraries make it easy to plan your Michigan Great Waters escape.

Michigan's Official Travel and Tourism Site

Find Us On: