Looking for some of the most beautiful travel destinations in the Great Lakes Region? The Great Lakes are home to harbor towns, soft sand beaches, rugged cliffs and waterfalls. These 15 Great Lakes destinations make for a perfect getaway!
why this blog?hi there! My name is Maddy, and I’ve lived most of my life in the Great Lakes Region, working as an outdoor adventure guide & guidebook writer. I grew up in Michigan, spending almost every summer and many winters at my Grandparents cabin in the woods in Northern Michigan. After college, I began working as an adventure guide on Lake Superior! I’m so excited to show you around some of the beautiful places in the Great Lakes!
The Midwest is often overlooked as a travel destination, but the Great Lakes Region is a true hidden gem. Sometimes called the “third coast” or “north coast”, the Great Lakes mark the US-Canadian Border. Here, you can find rugged cliffs, waterfalls, beaches, and more!
The Great Lakes Region is the perfect travel destination for outdoor lovers, a relaxing getaway, or anyone looking for off-the-beaten-path adventure. Here, I’ll focus on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan destinations. Here’s a breakdown of where to travel in the Great Lakes region:
Note: This post contains affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
What to pack for Great Lakes Adventures:
Summers on the Great Lakes can be chilly, particularly in June and early July! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…
- A lightweight, long hiking pant. I usethis pairfrom Kuhl or this budget-friendly pair from REI. I wear a women’s size 8 short and have found that both of these pairs are both flattering & functional!
- A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love myPatagonia Synchilla
- Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and mySmartwool baselayersare theonlywool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. The basic REI stuff lasted about a season, my Icebreakers top also didn’t really last long.
- Study hiking boots. I like myBridger Mids.Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair withDarn Toughhiking socks.
- A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer along the coast, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by thePatagonia Nano Puff. I like myHelly Hansen Liftloft.
- A Tent:Read my budget tent recommendations here!
- A day hiking pack: I love myPerimeter 35L, made by local (to me!) Two Harbors company Granite Gear. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack.
- Sleeping Bag: Check out theNemo Discodown sleeping bag for the perfect comfortable set up for chilly nights. Pair with a comfortable sleeping pad.
- A raincoat. I love theMoss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
1) The Sleeping Bear Dunes
Ever wanted to watch the sunset 400 feet above Lake Michigan? Or swim in crystal clear, salt-free water? Look no further than Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Located on the edge of Lake Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Dunes have some of the best hiking trails in the Midwest. Between bike trails and beaches, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are one of the best travel destinations in the Great Lakes.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is great place for families! Beaches like North Bar Lake Beach provide easy access to both Lake Michigan and a smaller warm lake, and there are many easy hikes in the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
When visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes, pack a lunch! While there are plenty of trails, there are very few restaurants in the area. The few restaurants will be crowded and have long wait times. There are several campgrounds within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, including DH Day Campground and the Platte River Campground. Book your campsite in advance online at Recreation.gov.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to some of the best Great Lakes beaches, like Esch Road Beach pictured above. If you’re wondering where to travel in the Great Lakes region, make sure Sleeping Bear is near the top of your list.
Read: 25 Best Things to do in the Sleeping Bear Dunes
2) Leland, Michigan
Tucked away in the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, Leland has beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan, hiking trails, wildflowers, and crystal clear water. One of the best harbor towns in the Grand Lakes, Leland is home to the adorable riverside Fishtown.
Historic Fishtown is a great place to walk the docks, and eat local smoked fish. My favorite Fishtown activity is to have a small picnic on the docks and watch for fish in the Leland River below, then head out to the Clay Cliffs for a quick hike.
Leland is a perfect Great Lakes travel destination, with similar beaches to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, beautiful hiking trails, but somewhat crowded. While summer is the busiest and traditionally beautiful month, visit in the fall to avoid the crowds.
3) Traverse City, Michigan
Located at the base of the Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is the cherry capitol of Michigan. If you’re looking to get Up North and looking for an exciting place to base camp for the week, Traverse City is the Great Lakes summer vacation spot.
In town, you can walk, bike, or swim right on the harbor. Traverse City is also home to several awesome breweries with delicious food, including North Peak Brewing Company, Rare Bird Brewpub, and The Shed Beer Garden.
Traverse City is surrounded by great hiking and paddling options on all sides. From Traverse City, it’s easy to day trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Leland, Torch Lake, or the Manistee National Forest. After a long day on the trails, head up to the Mission Point Lighthouse for a perfect sunset.
For 54 pages of hiking, secret swimming holes, campsites, overlooks, beaches, and more, download the Exploring Michigan eBook
4) Torch Lake, Michigan
Torch Lake is best known for its Caribbean blue waters. At 19 miles long and 2 miles wide, Torch Lake offers endless potential for boaters, fishermen, and water lovers.
The most popular spot on Torch Lake is located at its southern end. The best spot on Torch Lake is the Torch Lake sandbar, which can only be accessed by boat. Here, the water’s of Torch Lake hover between six feet and six inches deep, making it the perfect spot for swimming! Nearby public access can be found on the Torch River, or at various other spots on the Chain of Lakes.
Be especially careful on Torch Lake! Unsurprisingly, the area is as popular as it is beautiful. When paddling and swimming on the lake, lookout for careless boat drivers. If you are in a motorized boat, watch for swimmers with extra care.
While Torch Lake itself is a dream to swim in, did you know Torch Lake is just one in a chain of beautiful lakes? Elk Lake is also a beautiful spot to visit and get away from the crowds, and Lake Skegemog has beautiful wildlife. Torch Lake is just a few miles away from the Lake Michigan shoreline, and Barnes Park Campground is a perfect place to pitch a tent.
When you’re visiting Torch, be sure to check out town of Bellaire, Michigan. Bellaire’s Short’s Brewing Company is my favorite brewery in the state! Nearby, you can go for a peaceful paddle on the crystal clear Grass River. The Bellaire area is also home to great hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Between tropical water and beautiful trails, the Torch Lake area is a must see Great Lakes destination.
Check out the ultimate all-season guide to Bellaire, Michigan!
5) The Pictured Rocks
Ever dream of colorful cliffs and clear water? While Lake Michigan has soft sand dunes, Lake Superior has rugged cliffs, long hiking trails, and remote sea kayaking routes.
The Pictured Rocks are a bucket list item for any traveller. This national lakeshore has both family friendly hiking trails and more difficult treks. Near the lakeshore, you can find massive sandstone cliffs with waterfalls into the lake. Hike through the forest for more waterfalls and wildflowers, or take a swim in ice cold Lake Superior.
In the Pictured Rocks you can swim, take a boat tour of the cliffs, sea kayak, hike, and more. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the perfect Great Lakes summer vacation destination for families and hardcore hikers both.
Note: Sea kayaking on Lake Superior can be incredible dangerous! Risks include fog, large waves, and hypothermic water temperatures. Read more about the risks of sea kayaking Lake Superior here.
Read: 30 Best Things to do In the Pictured Rocks!
6) The Keweenaw Peninsula
When most people flock to the Sleeping Bear Dunes or Pictured Rocks for their summer vacation, why not head farther north? The Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan is a beautiful and off the beaten path Great Lakes destination for travelers looking for adventure!
In the Keweenaw Peninsula, you can find beautiful sand beaches, rugged mountain biking trails, waterfalls, hiking trails, and more! For guided sea kayaking tours or mountain biking expertise, visit the Keweenaw Adventure Company located in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
Pictured above is Bete Gris Beach and Wetlands Preserve, a beautiful spot for a swim in Lake Superior.
Overall, the Keweenaw Peninsula is the perfect place for anyone wondering where to travel in the Great Lakes to beat the crowds and have an adventure.
7) Ashland, Wisconsin
Located at the end of the Chequamegon Bay, Ashland is a great compromise between a small Great Lakes harbor town and a small vibrant city. Ashland is the perfect Great Lakes summer vacation spot for families looking for both great access to the outdoors and a variety of things to do in town.
Pictured above is one of the many cascades in Copper Falls State Park, only a half hour drive from Ashland.
From Ashland, Wisconsin, you have easy access to day trip to the Apostle Islands, Copper Falls State Park, Pattison State Park, and Amnicon Falls State Park. Ashland is the perfect spot for anyone looking to see as much of Wisconsin’s Northwoods as possible in a short amount of time.
8) Bayfield, Wisconsin
If you’re seeking a sleepy Great Lakes harbor town with sailboats, islands, and beautiful hiking, visit Bayfield, WI. Bayfield is a small but charming town right in the shores of Lake Superior. In recent years, Bayfield has gained popularity as a sea kayaking destination. But there’s more to do in Bayfield than paddle!
From Bayfield, head over to Madeline Island for adventures in cliff jumping. Drive out to the Lakeshore Trail on the mainland during a bad weather day to experience the full power of Lake Superior.
Visit Lost Creek Falls in Cornucopia for a nearby, family friendly hike. Overall, Bayfield is a perfect Great Lakes summer vacation spot for people of all ages.
Check out 30 things to do while visiting Bayfield, Wisconsin
9) The Apostle Islands Wilderness
Just outside of Bayfield, you can find one of the most overlooked wilderness areas in the Midwest. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is home to 21 wilderness islands in Lake Superior!
A trip through the Apostle Islands will take you far from mainland and out into the heart of Lake Superior. Explore sea caves, beaches, crystal clear water, and observe wildlife. In my opinion, Stockton Island is the best island in the Apostles. But you don’t have to take it from me! Start planning that overnight sea kayaking trip for yourself!
The Apostle Islands are not a beginner level sea kayaking trip! All paddling in the Apostle Islands requires safety equipment, knowledge of Lake Superior weather patterns, and sea kayaking experience. Read kayaking safety on Lake Superior here. To book a guided day sea kayaking trip or an overnight adventure in the Apostle Islands, visit Lost Creek Adventures.
Especially beautiful in August, the Apostle Islands Wilderness is a bucket list Great Lakes destination. If you’re wondering where to travel in the Great Lakes Region for maximum adventure and solitude, head to the Apostle Islands.
10) Two Harbors, Minnesota
On the Minnesota side of Lake Superior, Two Harbors is a great spot to basecamp on the North Shore. Visit the iconic Castle Danger Brewery and watch the Great Lakes ships come and go from the Two Harbors Lighthouse.
After your time in town, head north along Highway 61 towards Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Gooseberry Falls is one of the best ADA-accessible places to experience the North Shore of Minnesota. In addition to some of the most family friendly hiking trails, Gooseberry Falls State Park also has some of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Minnesota.
While Gooseberry has waterfalls, Split Rock Lighthouse is just slightly farther north and has incredible views of the rugged Lake Superior Shoreline. Split Rock is the perfect place for a picnic on your way farther north!
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11) Tettegouche State Park
Another incredible spot along the North Shore is Tettegouche State Park with massive cliffs and waterfalls! Tettegouche is one of the most popular North Shore photography locations and for good reason. There are four different waterfalls in Tettegouche State Park, and multiple incredible overlooks.
Although the park is busy, you can still find solitude on some of the more difficult trails and Superior Hiking Trail Spurs. My favorite spot in Tettegouche State Park is Palisade Head (pictured above).
12) Grand Marais, Minnesota
Are you searching for the best harbor town in the Great Lakes? Look no further than the sleepy coastal small town of Grand Marais. Between Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters, Grand Marais is one of the best Great Lakes summer vacation spots.
While in Grand Marais, spend your day hiking some of the great trails in the area, out on one of the many local lakes, or just exploring town!
While most people only visit Grand Marias in the summer, this town is a perfect all season getaway. With cross country skiing and frozen waterfalls in the winter, leaf peeping in the fall, waterfalls in spring, and an idyllic summer, it doesn’t get much better than Grand Marais.
Read about the best winter adventures in Grand Marais!
13) The Gunflint Trail
After leaving Grand Marais, take a trip up the Gunflint Trail into the heart of the Boundary Waters. The Gunflint Trail is a road that winds past inland lakes deep into the Boundary Waters Wilderness.
While most people head into the BWCA to canoe, there’s more to do than paddle! Hike one of the many trails along the Gunflint Trail, fish some of the inland lakes, or watch a lakeside sunset.
The Gunflint Trail and BWCA are connected to Lake Superior both in watershed and culturally. The Anishinabee/Ojibwe people once guided French fur traders through the Boundary Waters, along the Lakes and then out to Lake Superior. Eventually, this journey led to Montreal.
Although today the BWCA and Lake Superior are mostly seen for their recreational value, these areas still have cultural and ancestral ties to the Anishinabee People.
Hike the best hiking trails along the Gunflint Trail
14) Grand Portage, Minnesota
Located on the land of the Grand Portage band of Anishbabee/Ojibwe, Grand Portage is a beautiful place to learn about the history and culture of Lake Superior. Visit Grand Portage National Monument, one of the only US National Parks run by an Indigenous Tribe (Grand Portage Ojibwe) and the park service together.
Grand Portage has beautiful hiking trails, the largest waterfall in Minnesota, incredible views of Lake Superior, and the incredibly unique and valuable Grand Portage National Monument.
15) Isle Royale National Park
Perhaps the single best Great Lakes travel destination, Isle Royale National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the Great Lakes. Here, you can see wolves, moose, foxes, eagles, and more.
Isle Royale is an isolated National Park 18 miles from the nearest mainland. The island can only be reached by boat or plane, and is home to some of the best backpacking trails in the Midwest.
Isle Royale is perfect for people looking for the ultimate Great Lakes adventure. The island is closed in the winter months due to inaccessibility, but Isle Royale makes for the perfect backcountry summer vacation.
Check out a detailed guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park
Love exploring the Midwest and Great Lakes Region? Check out these Midwest Adventure Ideas!
- Read about 9 Incredible Michigan Road Trip Ideas
- Explore the best winter travel destinations in the Midwest!
- Check out the most beautiful Midwest Summer Vacation Spots!
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