Part 1
The Great Lakes offer an overabundance of shoreline – so you have your pick of beaches. Enjoy the cool, refreshing water and lakeside breezes of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, or Lake Superior, the final destinations of these three road tours. (Three more tours will follow in a second article.)
Each tour requires 30 minutes to three hours of driving time if you don’t make any stops along the way – but we know that’s not practical so we built in suggestions of what to do along the journey.
Lake Michigan – Lower Peninsula
New Buffalo to Tiscornia Beach, St. Joseph: 30 miles (44 minutes)
The perfect excursion if you’re coming to, from, or around Chicago, this easy 30 mile trek lets you see a lot of beauty at a leisurely pace over a short distance. Begin at one of the state’s jewels: New Buffalo, located off of 12 and a short jaunt from I-94. One of the most picturesque towns in this part of the state, grab breakfast at Pierre Anne (the crepes are what they’re known for). If you’re coming through around lunchtime, you have lots of choices. Don’t pass up a rooftop table at The Stray Dog Bar and Grill, or pick up some delicious sandwiches at David’s Delicatessen. New Buffalo resides in an historic area, so take the time to search the antique shops for hidden treasures.
From New Buffalo, head north four miles on the historic Red Arrow Highway to Union Pier. This quaint town is named after one of the shipping piers used to transport timber to Chicago. Enjoy the town’s old world charm and visit a gallery or two if you have time. Continue on your journey to the Village of Stevensville. You might be tempted to stay the day at beautiful Grand Mere State Park. Make a pitstop at the Watermark Brewing Company on St. Joseph Avenue before heading out of town.
Just a few more miles north and you’ll come to the town of St. Joseph, located in the Riviera of the Midwest. A popular destination, it retains its small town charm, including in the downtown area, which is lined with locally owned – and named – shops. St. Joseph is home to Silver Beach, one of the top family beaches ranked by Parents Magazine, but it’s Tiscornia Beach you’re after. Why? It’s quieter, more peaceful, with lots of sandy shoreline and sand dunes nearby.
Lake Huron – Upper Peninsula
St. Ignace to Big Shoal Bay Beach, Drummond Island: 73 miles (1 hour, 58 minutes)
Here’s a road trip for the adventurer. Begin your journey in St. Ignace, the first city you’ll encounter in the Upper Peninsula after crossing the Mackinac Bridge. For a little exercise before your drive, visit Castle Rock. It’ll give you a spectacular view of the Straits of Mackinac, though there are quite a few stairs to climb.
For your drive, you can either travel east along the shoreline on 134, which is more remote; or via 48, which passes through several small towns. We’d recommend 134 as it gives you a tour of the state’s natural beauty of Northern Lake Huron. Just be aware though that towns are few and far between. Drive on it until you reach the town of De Tour.
Take the transport ferry across the mouth of the St. Mary’s River. They leave every hour May-November 1. You can easily take your RV with you, though prices vary, especially if you reserve a camping spot on the island for a few days. If you have a trailer, consider just taking the tow vehicle to save from paying some of the fees. Likewise if you’re towing a vehicle behind your motorhome. It’s only a 10 minute ride across. Once you reach the island, continue on 134 for another half-hour to reach Big Shoal Bay Beach. You’ll cross much of the southern part of the island as you go. What awaits you is truly magnificent. The mostly sandy beach, though narrow, gives you a sight of beautiful vistas through the islands and abundant wildlife. Enjoy a meal at one of the picnic tables and go for a swim…. and be at peace.
Lake Superior – Upper Peninsula
Norway to Great Sand Bay, Keewenaw: (3 hours, 7 minutes)
As to be expected, this is our longest road tour on the list; however, traveling through the UP forests will reward you with its wild, pristine beauty. There are a few ways to make it to Great Sand Bay from Iron Mountain, but we chose the quickest route.
Begin your journey in Norway to fill up your water bottles with free, fresh water from the Norway Spring. Then travel a few miles to Iron Mountain, which has a rich history because of the rich natural resources that brought people to the area. With that in mind, visit the Iron Mountain Iron Mine and ride the underground train for a tour under the mountain (helmets and jackets provided). There’s even a coupon available. The largest rock shop in upper Michigan is also at the mine. It’s open every day of the week so make sure to stop in.
Thirty-two miles west of Iron Mountain is Crystal Falls. Just four miles from there is Alpha. If you’re coming through on a Saturday, stop at the Porter School Market Place and Farmers Market, open 9am-Noon from mid-June through mid-October, for fresh seasonal produce and kitchen delights. There are also arts and crafts for sale. Then get back in the RV and head toward L’Anse. Seven miles south of this UP town is Canyon Falls, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Upper Peninsula. There’s a short hike on a scenic boardwalk along the Surgeon River as well as a nice picnic area. In L’Anse, you can also take the trail from Waterfront Park and see three more waterfalls on the Falls River.
There are plenty of other places to stop on 41 as you drive the remaining 1 hour and 20 minutes to Great Sand Bay beach. Grab a homemade pasty from either Amy J’s Pasty in Hancock or from Pasty Central just south of the town of Ahmeek, to eat immediately or take with you to warm up at the beach. Learn some history at the Keewenaw National Historical Park and stop at Copper Falls. When you finally reach Great Sand Bay beach, you’ll encounter Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake on earth. Enjoy a mile of beach and large sand dunes, with red pine forests and lush greenery creating a stunning backdrop. Life doesn’t get any better than this.