2 days of dunes, a car-free island and Lake Superior cliffs

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   Morning

   Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

   A long stretch of Lake Michigan shore with tall sand dunes, beech and maple woods and inland lakes, about a drive west of Traverse City. The main dune climb lies across from Glen Lake, and it is a long, hot walk over sand to reach the lake. Bring water, sun cover and shoes you can empty. Check ahead on the park pass.

   Go when Morning, while the sand is cool.

   Local tip Sand in the sun gets hot, and the climb back up is harder than the way down. Carry water, wear shoes you can empty, and turn back early if you are tired. Check ahead on the park pass.

   

   About 12 min walk0.6 mi
2. 2
   Midday

   Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

   A looping scenic road inside the park, off M-109 between Empire and Glen Arbor, with numbered stops and overlooks of the dunes and the Lake Michigan shore. Drive it slowly and get out at the overlooks. Check ahead on the season and on the park pass.

   Go when Late afternoon into evening (about 7:53 PM), when the light is low over the lake.

   Local tip Take the loop slowly and get out at the overlooks, since the views over the dunes are better on foot than through the glass. Stay on the marked paths, because the dune plants are fragile.

   

3. Lunch

   Smoked whitefish and crackers

   A spread of smoked Great Lakes whitefish with crackers and a pickle, a picnic lunch to eat at an overlook or on the beach.

   Local tip Buy it that morning and keep it cool, and take any scraps with you.

   About 55 min by car29.5 mi
4. 3
   Afternoon

   Mission Point Light

   A white lighthouse with a dwelling attached, built in 1870 at the end of the peninsula and a working light until 1933. It stands just south of the 45th parallel north. The shore here is stony, so wear sturdy shoes. Check ahead on the grounds.

   Go when Afternoon, with an hour at the water.

   Local tip Walk the stony shore beside the lighthouse and look back down the bay. The road ends here, so the way home is the same as the way up. Leave daylight for the drive.

   

   About 53 min by car27.7 mi
5. 4
   Afternoon

   Glen Haven

   A restored port village on Sleeping Bear Bay, with a general store and a blacksmith shop from its lumber days and a beach on Lake Michigan. The old dock poles can still be seen off the shore. Check ahead on which buildings are open.

   Go when Afternoon, with time for the beach.

   Local tip Walk out along the shore and look for the old dock poles in the water. The village was a lumber port, so the buildings tell that story. Check ahead on which ones are open.

   

6. Dinner

   Pan-fried whitefish

   Lake whitefish, a mild fish of the Great Lakes, pan-fried or broiled and served with potatoes and a lemon wedge.

   Local tip Ask whether the fish is from the lake, and have it simple to taste it.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from Glen HavenAbout 2 h 14 min by car95.1 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   MiddayBook ahead

   Fort Mackinac

   A former British and American military outpost on the bluff above the harbor, begun in the early 1780s and now a museum. Walk the ramparts and the buildings and look out over the harbor and the straits. The way up from town is a climb, so wear walking shoes. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Morning, as soon as you land on the island.

   Local tip Go up on foot with water, since the way from town is a climb. Walk the ramparts for the view over the harbor, and check ahead on the opening and on any timed entry.

   

   About 2 h 23 min by car102.7 mi
3. 2
   Midday

   Miners Castle

   A sandstone rock formation on the Lake Superior shore, one of the few places in the lakeshore where a road runs close to the water. A short walk leads to the overlooks. The sandstone is crumbly and loses pieces to rockfalls, so keep behind the railings.

   Go when Morning, as soon as you can get there.

   Local tip It is a road stop with a short walk to the overlooks, so it is easy to share with everyone in the party. The sandstone is crumbly, so keep behind the railings. Check ahead on the road.

4. Lunch

   A pasty

   A baked pastry filled with beef, potato, onion and rutabaga, brought to the Upper Peninsula by Cornish miners, a hand pie made to carry to work.

   Local tip Eat it hot or cold, with ketchup or gravy as you like.

   About 2 h 23 min by car102.9 mi
5. 3
   Afternoon

   Arch Rock

   A natural limestone arch on the Lake Huron shore, 146 feet above the water, and a rare kind of formation for the Great Lakes. The Native peoples of the island have long held it as a place of power. Look through it from the path, and keep to the rails and the marked ways.

   Go when Afternoon, at an easy pace.

   Local tip Look through the arch to the lake from the path, and keep behind the rails. The Native peoples of the island have long held it as a place of power, so a quiet moment suits it.

   

   About 2 h 24 min by car104.0 mi
6. 4
   Evening

   Munising Falls

   A waterfall of about 50 feet over a sandstone cliff, on the edge of the town of Munising at the west end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Trails lead to viewpoints. The flow is small outside the spring thaw. Check ahead on the trails and the visitor center.

   Go when Evening, as your first look at the lakeshore.

   Local tip The paths are short and well kept, and the falls run lighter outside the spring thaw. Wet rock and stairs can be slick, so mind your footing. Check ahead on the trails.

   

7. Dinner

   Lake Superior whitefish, broiled

   Whitefish from the cold waters of Lake Superior, broiled with butter and served with potatoes, a plain supper after the long drive.

   Local tip Order it plain to taste the fish.