So you’ve heard Tim Allen’s famous Pure Michigan commercials. But have you ever been? And more importantly, have you gone “up north?” Exactly how far north have you gone?
I’ll take a wild guess that most people who didn’t grow up in Michigan have never made the trek to the northern side of the Upper Peninsula. Hell, most people that grew up in Michigan sure haven’t. Situated on the coast of Lake Superior in Alger Country is a little town called Munising. And while most people haven’t heard of Munising and it’s pretty difficult to get to, I’ve deemed this little gem Michigan’s best kept secret. Why? The pictures below speak for themselves (but I couldn’t resist adding some commentary).
Pictured Rocks
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Park. When most of us think about National Parks, we probably think of inland parks with trees, canyons, and rivers. Pictured Rocks is different because the main attraction is stunning sandstone cliffs that span more than 40 miles of the Lake Superior coastline. The most adventurous and personal way to access these cliffs is by kayak. Sea kayaks will allow you to float right up to the face of the cliff and stare upward at its towering beauty. However, I would caution that this method is not for the inexperienced kayaker. Lake Superior gets pretty rough at times and the lakeshore does not have a lot of access points. Make sure you do your research before heading out, and consider joining a guided tour.
If kayaking isn’t your thing or you’re looking for a quick way to see the majority of the coastline in an afternoon, hop on one of the tour boats from the main dock in Munising. Arrive early so you can score a seat on the uncovered rooftop deck. You will pass countless picturesque spots and formations as you cruise along the lakeshore. Some of the notable ones are ‘Lover’s Leap,’ ‘Miners Castle,’ and ‘Spray Falls’. If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see hikers peering out from the top of the cliffs above. Yes – you can hike the cliffs, as well! There are so many options to explore these natural beauties that you’re bound to find one that suits your style and preferred activity level.
Waterfalls
Munising and surrounding Alger County has over 15 waterfalls. That’s more than enough to keep you busy and amazed for a weekend. The best thing about Alger County’s waterfalls is their diversity. There are gentle falls that cascade down rock beds to powerful falls with foaming white water. Some of the falls have boardwalks and overlook points for easy pedestrian access, while some of them are hidden back in forests. Some of the falls you’ll have to gaze at from a distance, but my favorites are the ones you can walk right up to and feel the spray on your face.
The best way to travel between all the falls is by car, so I definitely recommend renting if you don’t have your own. You can find the maps of all the Alger Country falls on this site to map out your route. Remember that you’ll have to park and hike to many of them, so hitting about 5 in a day might be your max. Miners Falls, Munising Falls, and Wagner Falls are must sees.
Don’t fret if you aren’t able to see all the waterfalls or explore the entire Pictured Rocks coastline. Once you see Munising, you’re bound to return.
