Upper Peninsula
Lake Superior shore, more than 150 waterfalls and car-free Mackinac Island, reached by a long drive across northern Michigan.
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The Upper Peninsula, called the U.P. or Yoop, is Michigan's northern landmass, cut off from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac. Lake Superior lies to its north, Lakes Michigan and Huron to the south, Ontario across the St. Marys River to the east and Wisconsin to the west. The Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace links the two peninsulas and spans a strait about five miles wide at its narrowest point.
The main draws are the Lake Superior shore, more than 150 waterfalls and Mackinac Island, where M-185 is the only state highway in the country without motor vehicles. The Keweenaw Peninsula was the site of the first US copper boom, and Finnish and Cornish roots show in saunas, pasties and Hancock street signs printed in English and Finnish. Summer suits hikers and drivers best, since winters are long, cold and snowy, and lake-effect snow can cause whiteouts within minutes. Distances between towns are long, so plan several days.
Upper Peninsula in five
- Plan Pictured Rocks as the anchorThe lakeshore near Munising has the cliffs, beaches and waterfalls that most trips come for. A private vehicle entry is listed at $25 for 7 days, so build a few nights around it.Great Lakes travel guide
- Cross the Mackinac Bridge on the way inThe bridge is the main route from the Lower Peninsula, with a passenger car toll listed at $4. Plan the crossing for a clear day, as wind can slow traffic.
- Leave the car behind on Mackinac IslandMackinac Island's streets have been car-free for over a century, so you move by bike, carriage or on foot. Stay at least one night to see it after the day-trippers leave.
- Pick fall dates carefullyLeaf color arrives earlier here than in most of the Midwest, and the best weeks bring crowds. Book lodging in Munising, Marquette or the Keweenaw months ahead.
- Stock up before the long stretchesServices thin out between towns. Fill the tank, carry water and snacks, and expect patchy signal on forest roads.
Things to do in Upper Peninsula
See all attractions in Upper Peninsula
Need to know
- Airport
- Marquette (MQT), or fly to Traverse City or Detroit and drive
- Getting there
- Drive over the Mackinac Bridge from the Lower Peninsula, or fly to Marquette
- Getting around
- Car; no practical transit between towns
- Best base
- Munising for Pictured Rocks; Marquette for the middle
- Time needed
- 4–7 days for the central route; 10 days for the full loop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-5°Low-11°Snow, quietJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-4°Low-11°Snow, skiFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -4°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- MarchCloudy12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-6°Late snowMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low-2°Cold, thawAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, thaw
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh15°Low6°Cool, bugsMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, bugs
- JuneRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low11°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Best weatherJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Best weather
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low11°Early fall colorSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Early fall color
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low5°Cold, color fadesOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, color fades
- NovemberRain12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Cold, grayNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, gray
- DecemberCloudy12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-8°Snow, quietDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
Average daily high and low in Marquette, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Upper Peninsula
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Upper Peninsula
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°8°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue16°13°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed17°12°93%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Thu12°5°69%Thursday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri5°1°38%Friday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sat6°-1°13%Saturday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun6°0°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 11:28 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Pictured Rocksabout 1 hour from MarquetteCliffs, beaches and waterfalls on Lake Superior's south shore.
- Mackinac Islandshort ferry from St. Ignace or Mackinaw CityA car-free island with horse-drawn carriages and bike trails.
- Marquettecentral stop between the cliffs and the KeweenawA small lakeside city with trails, beaches and good food.
Before you go to Upper Peninsula
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Plan around Upper Peninsula
Cities and lakeshores around the region
Read the guideDetroitThe usual flight and driving start
Read the guideMilwaukeeA Lake Michigan city to pair with the peninsula
Read the guideChicagoLong-haul gateway to the Midwest
Read the guideMinneapolisA western approach to Lake Superior
Read the guideAll of the USAEntry rules and a trip planning overview
Read the guideUpper Peninsula FAQ
How many days do you need in the Upper Peninsula?
Four days cover Pictured Rocks and Mackinac Island from a Lower Peninsula start. Seven days add Marquette and a stretch of Lake Superior shoreline. A full loop takes ten days or more.
When is the best time to visit the Upper Peninsula?
July and August are the warmest months, and September to early October has leaf color. Winter is snowy and quiet, with limited access to some lakeshore areas.
Do you need a car in the Upper Peninsula?
Yes. Distances are long and public transport between towns is minimal. Mackinac Island is the exception, where cars are not used.
How much does Pictured Rocks cost?
The park lists $25 per private vehicle for 7 consecutive days. Check its fees page for passes and any boat tour costs, which are separate.
Is the Mackinac Bridge a toll bridge?
Yes. The authority lists $4.00 per passenger car, or $2.00 per axle. Check the toll page for the current schedule before you drive.