Western Upper Peninsula Travel Guide: The Western U.P.
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): MyMichiganBeach
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2020
The western part of the Western Upper Peninsula is an outdoors marvel.
It’s a paradise for outdoors people. There are national forests, waterfalls, lakes for fishing, trails for biking, and rivers for kayaking, and more.
Tracing the path of Lake Superior, there’s plenty of lake front to go around. To the east, you can find the Hiawatha National Forest. To the west, you can find the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Explore the Western Upper Peninsula
Each of these areas in the Western Upper Peninsula is a unique landmark to be claimed for the outdoors person. Something to be explored in all its glory.
It’s one reason many vacationers are drawn to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula annually: outdoors activities of every type. Houghton, Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, and Iron Counties, are places to visit here.
Visit Houghton
Houghton has been named of the best 100 small towns in America. It’s the largest city in the state of Michigan. A home in the copper country region, where Native Americans used to mine copper.
Located along the Keweenaw Peninsula, it is the site of the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. Tourism is a large industry here. As well, Houghton connects with the Isle Royale National Park.
Walk down the main strip of central Houghton, you can find the Pewabic Street Community Garden open to the public. It’s packed with parks and recreational spaces and activities.
There’s the famous amphibrome, Dee Stadium, which is a famous community facility in Houghton. Nara Nature Park is available as a public space too.
Things to Do in Houghton
- A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Don’t miss the chance to visit the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, which was founded in 1902. It is the official Mineral Museum of Michigan. Inside, you will find the main museum, the Phyllis and John Seaman Garden, the Copper Pavilion, and the Mineral Preparation Annex. Its host to mineral collections from all over the world.
- Carnegie Museum
Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw is a cultural and natural history musuem. It is open all-year-round for culture and history buffs. For more information, you can visit the website.
- Dee Stadium
An amphidrome located in downtown Houghton and a community center. It consists of a ballroom and an ice-skating/hockey rink. It’s a center of history and culture in Houghton.
- Pewabic Street Community Garden
Pewabic Street Community Garden is a volunteer community project for people to come and grow together. It is a member of the American Community Gardening Association. You can rent plots for each season.
Beaches and Parks
- Carnegie Museum – Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw is a cultural and natural history musuem. It is open all-year-round for culture and history buffs.
- Isle Royale National Park – Its headquarters is in the downtown of Houghton with a ferry service provided for transportation. It’s a wonderful park comprised of wolves, moose. It has plenty of space for boaters, canoeists, hikers, scuba divers, and more.
Eat in Houghton
There’s plenty of places to eat in Houghton with a broad menu. They serve each palette. Here are some great spots in Houghton for great food:
Where to Stay in Houghton
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Houghton, try these spots:
Visit Keweenaw (Peninsula & County)
Keweenaw comes from the Ojibway word meaning “land crossing between two bodies of water.” This is a reference to Portage Lake requiring crossing to gain access to the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Keweenaw, as a Peninsula, is known as Copper Cuntry, which is a formation of land before the existence of known life on Earth. The Western U.P. is known for its rich geophysical history.
It is Michigan’s least populated county. There’s plenty of outdoors activities here: Snowmobiling, Downhill Skiing, Sea Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Dog Sledding, Mountain Biking, Waterfalls, Fishing, and more.
It is home to the famous Mount Bohemia. Check it out!
Things to Do in Keweenaw
- Snowmobiling
Keweenaw gets more than 270 inches of snow each and every year. it is a great place to rip across the snow or on the shoreline of Lake Superior. There’s 230-miles of snowmobile trails.
- Downhill Skiing
Mount Bohemia is one of the premier ski resorts. It has the highest vertical at 900 feet and the largest backcountry glade. It’s the only triple black to run in the Midwest. It is one of the best downhill ski destinations.
- Sea Kayaking
You can go out and grab a paddle for the Keweenaw Water Trail. It has been established since 1995 for canoeists and kayakers.
- Dog Sledding
It is home to one of the top dog sledding races. Because it is an abundant source of snow annually for CopperDog 150.
- Mountain Biking
There are a large number of trails available for mountain bikers, including the Copper Harbor IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center offering 37 miles of a singletrack.
Mountains
- Mount Bohemia
It gets over 270 inches of fresh powder annually. It has some of the longest runs with the highest vertical. By USA Today, it was claimed as the 3rd Best Ski Resort in North America.
Eat in Keweenaw
You can get lots to eat in Keweenaw. Here are some great spots in Keweenaw for food:
Where to Stay in Houghton
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Houghton, try these spots:
- Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
- Eagle River Inn
- Keweenaw Castle
Visit Ontonagon
Ontonagon is a county with a population of over 6,700 people as of the 2010 census. It is the third least populated county in Michigan. The word Nondon-organ from the Ojibwe meant “hunting river” and likely means the origin of the name for the country.
It is likely this way of naming for many counties in Michigan. It is Michigan’s least populated county. There’s plenty of outdoors activities here.
It is notable for its skiing and snowmobiling. It incorporates the Porcupine Mountains area of the Western U.P. too.
Ontonogan and Porcupine Mountains Area has plenty of vistas, rivers, lakes, old growth forests, and connects to Lake Superior to satisfy outdoors people.
Things to Do in Ontonagon
For the history buffs, a visit to a new location isn’t much without a museum. The historical museum contains a number of artifacts and exhibits from the early history of Ontonagon.
- Skiing
If you come out to the Porkies (Porcupine Mountain Area), you will find the second highest vertical drop in Wisconsin or Michigan. You can catch great views of Lake Superior, too.
- Snowmobiling
Out in the landscape of Ontonagon and Porcupine Mountain Area, you can find plenty of areas for snowmobiling. Lots of lodges and resorts can cater to housing you.
Mountains and Parks
- Porcupine Mountain Area – A mountainous expanse connected to Ontonagon with plenty of areas to explore while on a stay here.
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – A state park in the Western U.P. spanning 60,000 acres. It is one of the few large areas of wilderness left in the Midwest. 15 miles west of Ontonagon in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Eat in Ontonagon
Ontonagon has a number of restaurants fit for the skiiers and the snowmobilers. Here are some great spots:
Where to Stay in Ontonagon
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Ontonagon, try these spots:
Visit Gogebic
Gogebic is the westernmost county in the U.P. of Michigan. Its got a population of 16,427. The Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation is here.
Its name likely comes from the Ojibwe word for “body of water hanging on high.” Its population has been steadily declining since the 1920s.
It connects to Lake Superior and contains Lake Gogebic, Lake Gogebic State Park, and part of Ottawa National Forest.
Things to Do in Gogebic
- Biking
The Michigan U.P. in general has plenty of trails, back roads, and logging roads available for biking. You could check out the Pines and Mines trail system or the Copper Peak Mountain Bike Park.
- Camping
There’s great camping grounds at the Lake Gogebic State Park or the Union Bay Campground, or Curry Park. Some more can be found in the Bergland Township Park, Ontonagon County Park, and the Ontonagon County Park.
- Fishing
If you like fish on a platter, you could try catching some live ones. Lake Gogebic is truly a centrepiece to explore for some great fishing, whether weed bed mid-summer fishing or winter ice fishing.
Lakes and Parks
- Lake Gogebic – Lake Gogebic sits between Ontonagon County and Gogebic County in theU.P. of Michigan. There are more than 300 inland lakes because Gogebic County is the western gateway of Michigan.
- Lake Gogebic State Park – Lake Gogebic State Park is 360 acres on the west short of Lake Gogebic with 127 campsites. Its only a 30-minute drive from the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park.
Eat in Gogebic
There’s lots to eat in Gogebic. Here are some spots in Gogebic for food:
Where to Stay in Gogebic
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Gogebic, try these spots:
Visit Baraga
Baraga is on the Lake Superior’s L’Anse Bay. It was established by Rev. Frederic Baraga in 1843. It used to be known as Bristol.
It’s got plenty of places to sightsee, including Baraga State Park, Lake Superior, and the Bara County Historical Museum. The village contains approximately 2,000+ people as of the 2010 census.
Despite another small size, its own place as a village and the surrounding areas are marvels to behold.
Things to Do in Baraga
- Bara County Historical Museum
A museum on the shore of Keweenaw Bay. It is operated by the Baraga County Historical Society. It preserves and presents the cultural and geological heritage of Baraga. For history buffs, this is the place for you.
Parks
- Bara State Park – Baraga State Park has a great view of the Keweenaw Bay of Lake Superior. There are 116 grassy sites in the park for all sorts of outdoors activities.
Eat in Baraga
Baraga has food for everyone. Some great places to eat in Baraga here:
Where to Stay in Baraga
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Baraga, try these spots:
Visit Iron Counties
Iron County (Iron Counties) is in the Western U.P. of Michigan. Its population was almost 12,000 as of the 2010 census, which is larger than many of the others.
It was named the Iron County due to the value of the Iron ore found there.
Things to Do in Iron Counties
It is open in the summer, and then in the winter by appointment. Admission is free if this is a barrier at all. It is, in fact, the former township hall. It has a collected presentation of mining industries and logging industries, and logging and rail transportation.
- Iron County Historical Museum
The museum is a historical and cultural museum founded in October of 1962. It has a European style of development in its history. Michigan is the place for history buffs!
Parks
Pentoga Park – Pentoga Park is nice, quaint park tied to the Brule River Trail. It’s another lovely short stop to get some sightseeing.
Larson Park – Established in 1919, it was founded by road engineer Herbert Larson. It is a quick stop for visitors for rest and relaxation.
Eat in Iron Counties
They’ve many delicious places to eat food. Iron Counties has som of the best spots in Houghton here:
· Amasa Sawblade
· Alice’s
Where to Stay in Iron Counties
If you’re looking to stay overnight in Iron Counties, try these spots:
License
In-Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.in-sightpublishing.com.
Copyright
© Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing 2012-Present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Scott Douglas Jacobsen and In-Sight Publishing with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All interviewees and authors co-copyright their material and may disseminate for their independent purposes.
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