Man, I am so behind on keeping the blog updated with our travel across the U.S.! If you want to keep up in real-time, come find us on Instagram or Facebook!
Seven-ish weeks ago, we rolled into Duluth, Minnesota with a few goals and barely any direction except this: explore east along the south shore of Lake Superior, across the U.P. and down into Michigan, all while biking, hiking and paddling as much as possible!
And we did just that! We have a few places we wanted to visit due to family history, and a few that were recommended to us, and then some gems we stumbled upon along the way…
Mountain biking the Mission Creek Trails [Outside Duluth]
We were headed on a hike outside Duluth when I glimpsed perfect single track fly by my truck window. I pulled out Trailforks and told Chris to turn around…Change. Of. Plans!
The trails at Mission Creek are first class. Even the up track was rolling enough that my kids didn’t complain about the climbing. Loki and Upper Cathedral are our favorites.
Hiking Tettegouche State Park [North Shore of Lake Superior]
Everyone kept saying, “You cannot miss Lake Superior’s north shore!”
Well, we didn’t have time to circumnavigate the lake but we did head up the north shore from Duluth for a day of hiking. High Falls at Tettegouche State Park is a 3.2 mile hike, relatively flat, and it did not disappoint! Even though it was raining, we enjoyed it a ton and the falls are gorgeous.
Split Rock Lighthouse [North Shore of Lake Superior]
On the way home from Tettegouche State Park, we hit Betty’s Pies and Split Rock Lighthouse, another north shore must-see. You can tour the lighthouse and grounds, learning all about the history of the area.
Camping and Exploring Madeline Island [Bayfield, WI / Apostle Islands NP]
Bayfield was a happy accident! We stumbled upon the location and ended up staying a week! The first-come first-serve campground at Dalrymple Park is beautiful and right near the water if you score a lake side spot, which we did.
From there we thoroughly explored the town of Bayfield, took an evening to go sailing around the nearby islands, took the ferry over to Madeline Island and biked across the island to Big Bay State Park.
Biking an area gives you such a rich feel for the land and people. So much better than driving. We’ve been biking trails so much that I missed the moment when ALL my kids could pound out pavement miles with ease.
The ride to Big Bay State Park from the ferry landing on Madeline Island is just over 6 miles one way. Totally flat. I think it would be epic only if you had a severe head wind. There is a wide shoulder so kid trailers would work also.
There is a ton to do in the area and I highly suggest it!
Mountain Biking and Hiking Copper Harbor, MI
The trails up by Copper Harbor, MI are ridiculously fun. And you have the added benefit of feeling constantly chased by man-eating mosquitos. 😂 I mean, seriously, I was pushed to greater speeds by fear of being eaten alive!
However, the trails are first class, with multiple options for different levels of riders. All the biking we did with the kids was downhill with a shuttle up Brockway Mountain Drive. For more information or video of the trails, visit Chris’ Instagram account.
Hiking out to Horseshoe Cove, Copper Harbor, MI
After riding all day, you can explore Fort Wilkins Historic State Park which offers camping, day-use facilities, a restored 1844 military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior. Interpreters and actors in costume demonstrate the history of the Keweenaw Peninsula fort.
Black Rocks / Presque Isle Park [Marquette, MI]
Marquette, MI made the list due to family history in the area, including being the childhood home of my mother. But we loved it so much, our two-day drive through turned into a full 7-day stay!
The trip out to the lighthouse on Presque Isle is one part cement stroll and one part scrambling over boulders. My kids loved it. This will be slow going for those who are not comfortable in tricky scrambling situations and I would not suggest going out with small children, especially toddlers who are walking on their own.
If you continue on the Presque Isle loop, you will reach Black Rocks on the far end of the peninsula. It is a great place to park and explore the coastline. If you are brave, people jump off the cliffs into Lake Superior. The cliffs are committing, make sure you are comfortable swimming in icy cold water and jump where the water is appropriately deep.
Mountain Biking the South Trails [Marquette, MI]
The South Trails in Marquette, Michigan, down near Marquette Ski Area, are amazing trails! Technical and rooty mixed with fast and flowy!
We followed the lead from some of our other full-time traveling friends, and jumped in on some local events while we were there.
The girls did a trail running race and Abs competed in his first mountain biking race. It was super fun to connect to the local community and experience the area as a “local” for a few days.
Stand-Up Paddling on Lake Michigan [Petosky, MI]
Petosky, MI and the nearby State Park are beautiful! Crystal clear water for paddling and swimming plus a bustling but adorable town make for a perfect mix!
We spent a few days exploring the beaches and looking for Petosky and Charlevoix stones. You can also jump off the lighthouse pier into Lake Michigan! Definitely a trip highlight for our family!
Well, that is the highlight reel from the U.P.! Stay turned for more from our trip To Maine and Back Again!