The Upper Peninsula is one of the most unique areas in the United States for numerous reasons. First, the geology and landscape here are breathtakingly fascinating. From the Keweenaw Fault’s lava flows and Jacobsville Sandstone to the eastern Upper Peninsula’s remote wilderness, there’s something here for everyone. Next, the history, despite staying under the radar to most visitors, impacted the entire world, from the streets of Calumet where the Copper Country Strike was born to the intricate engineering of the Soo Locks. Plus, it’s a great place to go rock hunting, drop a line for some fishing, or go for a hike.

The drive from the Mackinac Bridge to Copper Harbor will take you over five hours, and many areas in the Upper Peninsula are incredibly remote, making it hard to plan a trip that enables you to see everything in a short period of time. You could spend your entire life in the Upper Peninsula and still not see everything the region offers. We’ve compiled guides to the Keweenaw Peninsula and the Marquette Area; however, the Upper Peninsula is much more than that.

We’ve created a greatest hits of our favorite places in the Upper Peninsula, which we feel is an excellent jumping-off point for your explorations in the UP. Let’s get started!