If You Like Pictured Rocks, You’ll Love These Other Upper Peninsula Spots

If you're planning a trip to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula this year and are looking for something out of the ordinary to do, you've come to the right place.

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The Upper Peninsula is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the entire country. But, most people stick to the main tourist attractions like Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks, and Pictured Rocks. While those places are great and definitely worth seeing, there are some other, less-popular spots in the U.P. that you should check out on your next trip up north.

Lesser-Known Must-Visit Attractions in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Don't get me wrong, I love Pictured Rocks and Mackinac Island, but at the peak of tourist season, those places can be, well, a bit too people-y for my liking.

READ MORE: 10 Fun Facts About the U.P. You (Probably) Didn't Know

If you're looking for places that are a little less crowded, these are the ones that I would recommend.

Presque Isle Park

Presque Isle Park is, as the City of Marquette calls it, "almost an island". This wooded peninsula on Lake Superior provides stunning views.

You can bring a picnic lunch and sit in one of two picnic areas, or grab something to eat from the Island Store.

Brockway Mountain

While the Brockway Mountain itself is beautiful and offers spectacular views of the area, it's the drive that brings most people in. The 9.5-mile drive up the mountain is breathtaking, particularly in the fall. It's also a great place to go to get an amazing view of the Northern Lights.

Piers Gorge

Piers Gorge was formed by the Menominee River and is one of just a few places in Michigan where you can go white water rafting. There are also hiking trails and tremendous views to discover.

Black River Harbor & Suspension Bridge

Black River Harbor offers a ton of stuff to do in an idyllic setting. It's home to five different falls, fishing options galore, and a 210-foot-long suspension foot bridge that spans across the Black River.

Cut River Bridge 

The Cut River Bridge holds sentimental value for me. Not only does it provide amazing views of Lake Michigan and the mouth of the Cut River Gorge, but it's also the setting for one of my favorite pictures of my grandparents ever taken.

Seriously - how cute is this?!?

Honorable Mention: Apostle Islands 

This one gets an honorable mention because, well, it isn't actually in the U.P. You'll have to cross over into Wisconsin to check them out, but it's well worth it.

UP NEXT: The A to Z of the U.P. ⬇️

Located just over 60 miles from Ironwood, you'll find the Apostle Islands. They're located in Lake Superior off the coast of northern Wisconsin. There are 21 islands that are home to an abundance of wildlife (bears, birds, fish), and there are boat tours that will take you around to take in all of their beauty.