Jennifer and I are in love with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I say in love because this feeling will never change. We have toured it time and time again in our RV travels and will continue to do so through the years.
We’ve gone every season, watching the leaves change, exploring snow-covered ground, viewing colorful reflections in grand lakes. It’s truly a gorgeous part of the country.
Based on our extensive first-hand experience, we’ve written a complete Upper Peninsula RV Adventure Guide. It’s a seven-stop itinerary of where to stay, what to see, local tips, and more.
We have pulled many recommendations from our RV Lifestyle Facebook group as well, sharing our fellow RVers' comments throughout this article.
We hope that by sharing them with you, you'll get to experience the same joy and awe we have over the years.
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7 Best Michigan UP Destinations
There are so many specific areas in the Upper Peninsula, like lakes and cities, as well as must-see attractions and food destinations that we'd love to share. (Many of which we share in our Upper Peninsula RV Adventure Guide.)
But for the purpose of this article, we will focus on the main areas because there's just too much to cover otherwise. If you've never been to any of these areas, add them to your RVing bucket list!
1. Porcupine Mountains
Beth mentioned they are starting their trip here, so it’s no surprise she was encouraged to explore this area.
Forrest said, “I have long loved the Porcupine Mountains. Good hiking, great places!” and Pam shared that “Waterfalls near Porcupine Mountains are super.” We agree with both of them. There are TONS of hiking trails and hundreds of waterfalls, secluded lakes, wild rivers, and streams in these mountains.
That’s why we always recommend visiting the Wilderness Visitor Center first.
2. Lake of the Clouds
Lake of the Clouds is one of the three premier areas in the Porcupine Mountains. The other two are Summit Peak and Presque Isle River.
Lake of the Clouds was mentioned specifically by Bruce, who summed the area up in one word. “Beautiful.” We couldn’t agree more.
In our RV adventure guide, we tell you about some great overlook alternatives for the Lake of the Clouds and some great hiking trails and viewpoints over at Summit Peak.
Granted, you can’t really go wrong with any of the hiking trails and viewpoints in the area. We just like to share our favorites.
3. Mackinac Island
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According to fellow RVers (including us!), Mackinac Island is a must-see when visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Laurel says, “We love it there, a beautiful day trip!”
You can read about our love affair with Mackinac Island or see why it’s our favorite getaway in the above video.
Another RVer from our RV Lifestyle Facebook group said, “Mackinac Island for sure and the Grand Hotel plus their “downtown.” He and a few others recommended sitting a spell on the Grand Hotel porch to enjoy the view.
4. Pictured Rocks
It’s no surprise that Pictured Rocks were mentioned several times in the Facebook thread. The word “amazing” was certainly used a few times to describe them.
Pictured Rocks are towering sandstone formations in Munising, Michigan. You can explore the caves and rock formations up close from the water.
Seeing them by boat was highly recommended and we agree. You can take a glass-bottom boat tour that reveals shipwrecks under the surface! But I also recommend a few other boat tour options in our guide.
This ebook is a seven-stop guided exploration of the Michigan UP. We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way. Don’t plan your trip to the Upper Peninsula without it!
5. Kitch-iti-kipi & Indian Lake
Kitch-iti-kipi and Indian Lake were also mentioned several times for good reason. Debbie describes it as “spectacular,” and when Sarah recommended it as a must-see, two others replied “for sure!!!!” and “definitely.”
We agree that the area is definitely spectacular and is for sure a must-see. It’s actually one of our stops in our 7-stop guide.
Kitch-iti-kipi, or “The Big Spring” is Michigan’s largest and most alluring natural attraction. It’s a 40-foot-deep crystal clear spring that’s simply breathtaking.
6. Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie was also recommended several times in the Facebook thread. It’s a great place to camp and watch the freighters go through the Soo Locks.
Paul recommended camping by the locks at Aune Osborn Campground, which is one of the three campgrounds we recommend in our 7-day UP Michigan Guide.
We also recommend watching the boats from the top of the Tower of History.
This four-season town has events year around. So be sure to check their Events Calendar whenever visiting by clicking the Sault Ste. Marie link above.
7. Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Visiting the stunning waterfall is one of our 10 Top Things to Do at Lake Superior.
Like many places in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, commenters described it as beautiful, and Elaine noted that it has great hiking.
There are tons of accessible hiking trails. If you come in the winter, as we have in the past, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski on the trails.
Finally! Mike and Jennifer's Michigan Bundle
(Michigan's Lower Peninsula AND Michigan's Upper Peninsula)
This Michigan Bundle contains our ever-popular Guide to the Upper Peninsula PLUS our newest Guide on the LOWER Peninsula! Here's a little on both ebooks (not a printed book):
Michigan's Upper Peninsula Adventure Guide: This ebook is a seven stop guided exploration of the Michigan UP. We provide a suggested route and itinerary, links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the best spots to see along the way. Don’t plan your trip to the Upper Peninsula without it!
Michigan's Lower Peninsula Adventure Guide: This guide explores the Lower Peninsula, also known as ‘the Mitten.” You can easily spot its mitten shape on the map. Most of this guide follows the coast of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, with a little bit of Lake Erie down near Detroit.
You are in for a HUGE adventure with this ebook bundle of the best of Michigan for RVers!
Curious about the gear, gadgets, accessories, and RV products Mike & Jennifer use and recommend?
On this RV Lifestyle Travel blog, our RV Podcast and our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel, we mention all sorts of RV-related products and gear that we use, So we created a special page that links to them. We update this all the time. CLICK HERE to go to it directly. Have you caught one of our Amazon LIVE events yet? Just go here and Follow us – to be notified every time we go live.
September 01, 2023at4:15 pm, Barbara Longeway said:
We used the Michigan Upper Peninsula guide on our recent visit to the UP. Was quite helpful and we had a great time. However, we found Kitch-iti-kipi somewhat disappointing. Waited in line for an hour, then were told we had another two hours till we could be “sardined” with many others and floated over the top of the Big Spring. So, we walked down to the deck and were able to see and take photos of the Big Spring and the trout from there and left. (We’ve toured Silver Springs, in Florida, so Kitch-iti-kipi was underwhelming to us. Gorgeous ferns growing along side the walkway, though.) We drove north to Munising and had two nice days there, including a Pictured Rocks boat tour and delicious Pasties at Muldoons. Thanks for the UP guide!!
September 02, 2023at9:08 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for the feedback, Barbara! Depending upon the time of year of the visit, Kitch-iti-kipi can get crowded. Sorry to hear of your experience and glad the guide was helpful and you had a good time in the UP! We will consider that experience in future updates – Team RV Lifestyle
October 12, 2022at6:33 pm, Rose Austin said:
i spent several months in the UP, working for the US Fisheries, on Lamprey Control. We worked on rivers and creeks from Superior, MN to NY. I’m in love with the UP also. One area not mentioned is The Keneenaw Peninsula and Copper Harbor. Do the Brockway Mountain Drive to the top for incredible views. Plus hike a trail in Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary, to giant white pines and views. I got to visit the Soo Locks, but i was working so was in hotel. I found out about the Aune Osborn Campground from a couple on You Tube that was staying there and flew a drone over the campground and the visited the locks . My sister is an Aune, our Mother was an Osborn. so we may find out we are related!
October 13, 2022at10:32 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for the feedback, Rose, and we agree – the Keneenaw peninsula to Copper harbor is amazing! Thanks for adding this – Team RV Lifestyle