Looking for the best Great Lakes Road Trip that you can do in one week? Keep reading for the ultimate 7-day Great Lakes Road Trip!

The Great Lakes hold 21% of the world’s freshwater, create their own weather patterns, and have some of the most unique geology in the entire Midwest. These lakes are home to two American national parks, and three national lakeshores, and countless waterfalls. When it comes down to it, the Great Lakes are the one of the world’s most underrated spots for outdoor recreation, and a well-kept secret.

Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy and I’ve been working as a Lake Superior wilderness guide and outdoor writer since 2018. I was born and raised in Michigan! A few times a year, I make the trek to the Traverse City to see my family area from Northern Wisconsin— along the way, I stop and explore some of the best hiking in the Upper Peninsula. I’ve spent most of my life exploring the the Midwest, and I’m happy to show you around!

Oh hey there! This blog uses affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you. 

waterfalls along the Black River Scenic Byway in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Leave No Trace in the Great Lakes Region:

Much of the hiking and recreation in the Great Lakes States is on the cultural and ancestral homelands of the Odawa and Ojibwe Nations. With this in mind, it’s important to treat all outdoor spaces with the respect of potential sites of cultural and archeological significance.

This includes packing out everything brought with you including toilet paper (which can take years to biodegrade) and apple cores (which can attract bears to the trailhead). Remember to leave everything as found, hike only on designated trails, hike through mud and not around it to avoid further damaging fragile trails, and pay attention to local invasive species concerns including cleaning hiking boots before hiking. 

In addition, camp only in designated campsites and park only in designated parking spaces! Remember to plan ahead and prepare for wilderness travel, and be sure to carry three ways to signal for help beyond a cell phone (I like a whistle, signaling mirror, and Garmin InReach). 

Read more about local leave no trace here.

Left: Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains in peak fall color. Right: Exploring the Apostle Islands Sea Caves.

What to pack for a Great Lakes Road Trip:

The Great Lakes can be hot during the day during the summer, but cool in evenings especially by the coast. Up on Lake Superior, temperatures may be much cooler year round. Here’s what to pack for hiking in the Great Lakes Region:

• Long pants: for women looking for a flattering fit and functionality try Kuhl Freeflex or REI Trailmade
• Long sleeve wool baselayers : wool tops like this make a great hiking layer both for sun protection and for regulating body temperature 
• Shorts: I like a quick dry pair with a built-in belt  and a elastic waist, swim-friendly pair
• If paddling or swimming: a UPF sun hoodie
• A down puffy jacket that packs down small: nights are a lot cooler than you might expect!
• A solid day hiking pack
• On rugged trails like those in the Upper Peninsula, trekking poles
• Hiking boots: I like Oboz Bridger Mids for best grip and ankle support, or alternately hiking/paddling sandals like Bedrocks (designed for paddling guides and paddling guide (me) approved)
• An America the Beautiful Pass
• Michigan Recreation Passport
• If backpacking, backpacking gear!

Visiting in the winter? Check out this guide to winter hiking.

The Ultimate One Week Great Lakes Road Trip:

From the Sleeping Bear Dunes and soft sandy Lake Michigan, to the rugged shores of Northern Lake Superior, here is the best Great Lakes Road Trip if you only have one week for outdoor lovers! Keep in mind that I’ve included more suggestions in this outline than would likely be possible in seven days; pick and choose what interests you most.

Day One: Sleeping Bear Dunes

Start your trip by visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan! One of the best things to do in Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are massive sand dunes with great hiking, kayaking and views. I recommend checking out…

Left: hiking at Overlook Nine. Right: Kayaking the Crystal River.

• Hike the Empire Bluffs Trail (less than two miles)
• Hike the difficult Dune Climb (Four miles over hot sand to Lake Michigan, difficult)
• Watch the sunset at Overlook Nine
• If time, kayak the Crystal River

STAY: Camp nearby or stay in a hotel in Traverse City for the night before waking early and heading north on Day Two.

Check out the Best Things to do in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

Day Two: North of the Bridge, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks

Leaving Traverse City, drive north on Highway 131 until you reach I-75 and prepare to cross the Mackinac Bridge. The Bridge is five miles long and costs $4 USD to cross! You pay on the Upper Peninsula side.

Images: Camping along Lake Superior at one of the many State Forest Campgrounds between Whitefish Point and the Pictured Rocks.

Plan to reach Tahquamenon Falls by 10am.

Tahquamenon Falls is of the largest waterfalls this side of the Mississippi, this iconic river drops nearly 50 feet at the Upper Falls, and is a must-see on your Great Lakes Road Trip. Tannins from trees stain the water reddish brown, and in the winter large ice formations build around the falls. The state park offers a variety of hiking trails varying in length from 1 to 8 miles, with several handicap accessible trails to the Upper Falls. Swing by the Berry Patch restaurant on your way in or out for lunch, and if time, head to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum up in Whitefish Point.

STAY: Camp near the Pictured Rocks or stay at a hotel in Munising for two nights

Day Three: Deep in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Plan to spend all of day three of your Great Lakes Road Trip exploring the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Here, you can find great kayaking, shipwreck tours, and some of the prettiest hiking in the Midwest. I recommend…

Left: views along the Chapel-Basin Loop. Right: Camping in the Pictured Rocks.

• Hiking the Chapel-Basin Loop (10+ miles, whole day activity but truly worth it)
• A Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour
• Dinner at Pictured Rocks Pizza for beachside vibes
• Sunset at Miner’s Castle

PRO TIP: I work as a Lake Superior kayak guide! If you can only sea kayak in one place my advice is to SKIP the Pictured Rocks and kayak in the Apostle Islands instead. The Apostles are a more immersive experience where you can actually paddle through caves, not just near cliffs. The Pictured Rocks also have frequent rockfall. Catch me in person some time and I’ll tell you my horror story about that 🙃

STAY: Night two in the campsite or hotel near the Pictured Rocks

Check out the ultimate guide to the Pictured Rocks!

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Day Four: Waterfalls of the Upper Peninsula & headed west

Day four is a driving day, and it’s time to make your way west across the Upper Peninsula. This is actually one of my favorite parts of a Great Lakes Road Trip, because there are SO many cool waterfalls throughout the Upper Peninsula. Here’s where I recommend stopping…

left: sandstone falls. right: bond falls

• Scott Falls: Roadside stop with beach access. Breakfast picnic!?
• Tioga Falls: Roadside stop with a leg stretch
• Detour to Canyon Falls: This one is really really cool and worth a full lunch stop
• Agate Falls Scenic Site: I always wave to this one as I drive by while I race off to…
• Bond Falls: A really beautiful and impressive series of Cascades
• Black River Scenic Byway: so many waterfalls in quick hikes all really close to each other. This is a bit of a detour but the campground is really cool there.

Now I do have you skipping the Porcupine Mountains on this route for the sake of time, but if you have an extra day or two, check out the Porcupine Mountains for sure!

STAY: Two nights in Ashland or Bayfield at a hotel. Some camping in area, but often fills early. Consider camping at Little Sand Bay; on Superior, but will add a lot to drive times. Thompson’s West End in Washburn is also a good option.

Check out the best things to do in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Day Five: Basecamp the Bayfield Peninsula

Personally, I think the Bayfield area is the BEST stop on any Great Lakes Road Trip. I might be bias though– I live on the peninsula! There is SO MUCH to do in this area that you will for sure have to pick and choose. In order of priority I recommend…

Images of sea kayaking the Mainland sea caves 🙂

• Book a day trip to sea kayak the caves with Lost Creek Adventures! (This is where I have guided! I actually recommend Roman’s Point Full/Half Day trips which are outside of the Lakeshore if you want to see more variety and for a less crowded experience. These trips can also be calmer water while Mainland caves trips have chop and seasickness ~30% of the time)
• Hike the Meyers Beach Sea Caves Trail! This is an out and back of at least 4-miles to reach the caves and its super fun to hike above all the kayakers below.
• Grab lunch at Siskowit Farmhouse (farm-to-table; not veg friendly)
• Sunset cruise out to Devils Island in the Apostle Islands
• Eat at the Fat Radish in Washburn (farm-to-table)
• Get baked goods from Coco’s Bakery

If possible, the best combo to see the Apostle Islands in one day and get the most variety is a Roman’s Point half day with Lost Creek early in the morning (or sea caves half day at 8am), then hike the Sea Caves Trail, then grab late lunch/early dinner and hop on the 4pm Sunset Cruise out through the islands to see the lighthouses and Devil’s Island Sea Caves

STAY: Night #2 in your Bayfield area hotel or campground. Alternately, head to Pattison State Park to camp.

Check out my ultimate guide to visiting the Apostle Islands!

SAFTEY NOTE: I recommend booking a guided tour to paddle the sea caves. There are multiple rescues every year and have been fatalities. It’s a really hard area to read the water and can often look calm when launching and be far larger waves at the caves. At minimum, take a coastal kayaking safety course and be able to deep water self-rescue and t-rescue.

Day Six: The North Shore of Minnesota

Wake up early in Bayfield and begin the trek out to the North Shore of Minnesota! Consider stopping by Amnicon Falls or Pattison State Park for some last-minute waterfalls in Wisconsin. Pattison State Park also has some really nice car camping if that’s your vibe! Plan to reach the North Shore before noon.

Minnesota’s North Shore is truly a place you could spend forever exploring! I lived here for three years and NEVER ran out of things to do. Here are my favorites, the things I always show people their first time up:

Left: Split Rock Lighthouse. Right: High Falls in Tettegouche State Park

• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park: This can be a quick stop to see the lighthouse and check out the museum but it is truly one of the coolest Great Lakes Lighthouses
• Check out Palisade Head, a massive cliff over Lake Superior
• Hit Timber Coffee for brunch sandwiches on home-made bagels
• Hike Shovel Point and High Falls in Tettegouche State Park: 5 miles ish total, all gorgeous. Both hikes are accessible from the visitor’s center.
• End the night in Grand Marais, Minnesota and watch the sunset at Artist’s Point and the Grand Marais Lighthouse
• Get dinner and drinks at Voyager Brewing

STAY: Two nights in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Hotels sometimes book early and there isn’t very much last-minute camping nearby– if you’re willing to drive 30+ minutes into town your options open up. Grand Marais Campground is a prime location, but also check out camping at Cascade River State Park.

Check out the ultimate guide to visiting the North Shore!

Day 7: Grand Marais, Minnesota

Grand Marais, Minnesota is the perfect final stop on your Great Lakes Road Trip. It’s an adorable harbor town with so much to do nearby from hiking to watersports and shopping! I lived here for two years and worked in tourism here: please visit consciously, as there are often more visitors than staff are equipped to handle. Come prepared for long wait times and remember to be kind! Locals are people, and they don’t care about your vacation.

Here’s what you should check out in Grand Marais:

Left: Sauna at Sisu and Loyly during a storm. Right: Cascade Falls State Park.

• Hike Cascade Falls Waterfalls Loop to see seven waterfalls in under a mile
• Take a side trip up the Gunflint Trail for a scenic drive, more hiking, and wildlife (also a great place to catch the Northern Lights)
• Sauna at Sisu and Loyly (I also worked here! 10/10 recommend, Katie, the owner, was truly the best boss and I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience here!)
• Grab dinner at My Sister’s Place
• Hit breakfast at Cascade Lodge

STAY: night two in your Grand Marais area lodging

Bonus: Isle Royale National Park

If you’ve got time to spare and want to visit the crown jewel of the Great Lakes, head up to Isle Royale National Park. From Grand Marais, MN you can catch a seaplane. From Grand Portage, MN, catch the ferry.

Left: hiking in old growth birch on Isle Royale. Right: sea kayaking Isle Royale.

Isle Royale’s claim to fame is that it is the least-visited National Park in the continental US, but the most revisited. It is also home to the longest continuous predator-prey study, between the islands wolves and moose (which fun fact are non-native to the island! Caribou are the native megafauna.)

Check out the ultimate guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park!

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Explore beyond Great Lakes Road Trips…

• Check out 27 of the best hiking trails in Michigan, with Maps linked!
• Plan a winter Great Lakes trip (it’s incredible can recommend!) and check out the best winter destinations in the Midwest!
• Dive into the best backpacking routes in the Midwest

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