road trip

Touring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The final stop of our road trip around Wisconsin and Michigan was at Picture Rocks National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in Michigan's upper peninsula in the city of Munising. We did not get to see much during our visit. We arrived in the evening and were only staying for one night. 

Stopping At Canyon Falls

Before arriving at Pictured Rocks we had the chance to stop at Canyon Falls. We were driving from the Porcupine Mountains so it was right on the way. Canyon Falls is a small roadside park with a hiking trail that leads to the waterfall. This park is located in the town of L’Anse in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Canyon Falls is a large waterfall followed by a gorge. It has also been known as Michigan’s grand canyon. The waterfall was beautiful and definitely worth the 10-minute hike if you have the time.

Visiting Canyon Falls

Arriving At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

We arrived in Munising (the town where Pictured Rocks is) in the early evening. Our tour of Pictured Rocks was scheduled for 7 pm so we had just enough time to set up our tent a get a snack before heading to our tour. We stayed at the Wandering Wheels campground. This is the only campground in the area and it is a KOA campground. This was actually my least favorite campground on the trip. Compared to the others we stayed at it was not as clean and seemed to be more crowded. The campsites seemed smaller and they were very muddy.

Touring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

In order to get the best view of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, we went on a boat tour. We went with Pictured Rocks Cruises. Since we arrived in the evening we went on the 7 pm sunset tour. This tour provided us with amazing views of the lakeshore and information on the lakeshores history. I would definitely recommend this tour if you want to be able to see all the colorful rock formations that make Pictured Rocks special. Sadly it starting raining during our tour and we did not get to see a sunset. It gets very cold on the boat so make sure to bring a jacket even if it was warm outside. We went in the middle of July and I was freezing on the boat even with a large sweatshirt on.

A cute waterfall near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Things To Do Near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

There are many great hiking trails and waterfalls to explore near Pictured Rocks. We had planned to spend the afternoon visiting some waterfalls before going home. When we woke up it was pouring rain and the water had leaked through our tent. We quickly packed our things and decided to go home instead of hiking in the pouring rain.

Have You Been To Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?

Have you ever been to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore? What are your favorite hiking trails? What is the best waterfall to visit? Are there any other activities you would recommend I do there if I visit again?

Want To Hear About The Rest Of My Road Trip?

The first stop of my road trip was at Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin. You can read about my experience camping and hiking in Devil’s Lake here. The second stop of my road trip was on Madeline Island in Wisconsin. You can read about my experience camping on Madeline Island and touring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore here. The third stop of my road trip was in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s upper peninsula. You can read about my adventures camping and hiking in the Porcupine Mountains here. I hope you enjoyed reading about my road trip. It was a really fun trip and I enjoyed sharing my experience and tips with you. Where should I go on a road trip to next?

Camping and Hiking In The Porcupine Mountains

Visiting The Porcupine Mountains

The third stop on my Michigan Wisconsin road trip was in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Porcupine Mountains are located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the town of Ontonagon, Michigan and is 60,000 acres of woods and waterfalls. We camped in the Porcupine Mountains for two nights. 

The Porcupine Mountains Campground

We stayed in the Union Bay campground. The campground had a small beach area but we did not visit it. This was our favorite campground that we stayed in. The bathrooms were clean and there were nice private shower rooms. The sites were open and had a few trees. However, the campsites were close together. We got to the Porcupine Mountains late on the first day. We only had time to set up our campsite before it got dark outside. Everyone at the campground was really friendly and were willing to help us when we had questions about things. This campground also had a camp host.  The camp host couple had games, hot chocolate, coffee and area information available to share.

Camping at Union Bay campground in the Porcupine Mountains
Kissing a bear in front of the Porcupine Mountains outpost

Porcupine Mountains Outpost

Right outside of the campground was the Porcupine Mountain Outpost. This is the shop for the Porcupine Mountains. They sold ice, firewood, ice cream, and gift items. I purchased a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt. I also got some magnets and a cool coffee mug. After our hike, we stopped by the Outpost again to get some soft serve ice cream before heading back to the campsite for the evening. An important thing to know is that there are no other shops nearby.

Hiking In The Porcupine Mountains

Before going on any hikes we went to the visitor center to get a map of all the different trails. The visitor center was about a 5-minute drive from the campground. An important thing to know is that you have to drive to all of the different trails.

Hiking In The Porcupine Mountains: Lake of the Clouds

The first hike we did was to the Lake of the Clouds overlook. It was an easy 5-minute hike to the overlook point. There is a parking lot nearby so it is very accessible. We chose to do the overlook instead of hiking down to the Lake of the Clouds because it was shorter and gave us more time to go on other trails too. The overlook provided a beautiful view and we were able to see the whole lake.

The Lake of the Clouds overlook in Porcupine Mountains

Hiking In The Porcupine Mountains: Presque Isle River

We also hiked the Presque Isle River trail and saw the waterfalls. The Presque Isle river contains the Manabezho, Manido, and Nawadaha waterfalls. There is a parking lot near this trail and all of the waterfalls are close to the start of the trail. There is also a nice viewing platform on the trial to view the waterfalls from.

The Presque Isle River in the Porcupine Mountains

Hiking In The Porcupine Mountains: Summit Peak

The last hike we did was Summit Peak. This is an observation tower and is the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains. To reach Summit Peak it is about a 15 min hike to the observation tower. This trail is pretty easy and flat but its long. Once you reach the observation tower there are lots of stairs to reach the top. If you have trouble with stairs then this is not the trail for you. The view at the top of the observation tower is amazing and makes all of the stair climbing worth it. From the top of Summit Peak, you can see all of the Porcupine Mountains and Lake Superior. On clear sunny days, you can see the Apostle Islands and Isle Royale from the top of Summit Peak. We were able to see the islands on the day we went.

At Summit Peak which is the highest point in the Porcupine Mountains

Have You Been To The Porcupine Mountains?

Have you ever been to the Porcupine Mountains? What are your favorite hiking trails there? Is there anything you would recommend I would do if I go back to the Porcupine Mountains

Looking at the trail map in Porcupine Mountains

Want To Read About The Rest Of My Road Trip?

You can read about the first stop of my trip in Devil’s Lake State Park here. The second stop of my road trip was on Madeline Island and you can read about that here. The last stop of my road trip was in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and I will be posting about that soon.

 

Visiting The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Camping On Madeline Island

Visiting Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Camping On Madeline Island

The Apostle Islands National Lake Shore and Madeline Island were the second stop on my Wisconsin Michigan road trip. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located on Lake Superior off the shore of Bayfield, Wisconsin. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore contains 12 miles of mainland coastline and is made up of 21 different islands. 

Arriving in Bayfield, Wisconsin

Stopping In Bayfield, Wisconsin

Bayfield, Wisconsin is the last town before getting to the Apostle Islands. It is known as the gateway to Apostle Islands since all Apostle Island tours and ferries to the islands leave from Bayfield. When we arrived in Bayfield we decided to do some grocery shopping before going over to Madeline Island. There was only one grocery store in Bayfield and it was very small with a very limited selection of items. I would recommend doing your shopping in a bigger town before heading up to Bayfield.

Getting To Madeline Island

While visiting the Apostle Islands we decided to camp on Madeline Island for the night.  We took the Madeline Island Ferry from Bayfield to get to the island. It was about a 20-minute ride and we were able to take the car with us. The ferry only costs $14 per person round trip and an extra $25 round trip to bring the car. The ferry comes every 30 minutes during the summer time so it is very convenient.  

Camping On Madeline Island

After arriving on Madeline Island we drove to our campsite so we could set up before exploring the island. We camped at Big Bay Town Park which was about a 10-minute drive from where the ferry dropped us off. Our campsite was very wooded and private which I liked. However, it was a far walk from the bathrooms so we had to drive to them. Of course, we had to set up the tent in our dresses. After setting up our campsite we walked to the beach area to enjoy the view and take some photos. The water was very cold and there were lots of rocks so it hurt my feet to walk in the water. There was also a lot of biting flies so we didn't stay for very long. We went in July so I am not sure if the flies are bad all of the time, but there were a lot of them.

Setting up our tent on Madeline Island in our dresses!
With the wildflowers on Madeline Island
The beach on Madeline Island

Exploring Madeline Island

After checking out the beach we decided to spend the rest of the evening exploring the downtown area of Madeline Island. We went into all of the cute gift shops and local stores. After visiting all of the stores we decided to have dinner at Beach Club. This restaurant was right next to all of the docks on Lake Superior. It was nice being able to enjoy the lake while eating my dinner. We sat at the outdoor tables next to the water but it eventually got cold and we moved our food inside. The food was good and reasonably priced. After dinner, we got ice cream at Grampa Tony’s and used the free wifi. The ice cream was good and they had lots of flavors to choose from.

Having dinner at the Beach Club restaurant on Madeline Island
The marina on Madeline Island

Touring The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The next morning we took a boat tour of the Apostle Islands. Before leaving the Island we all got cute Madeline Island shirts at the Dockside Gifts. We went on the classic grand tour with Apostle Islands Cruises. I really enjoyed this tour because I got to see and learn the history of each island. I sat in the top row of the boat and was able to see everything very well. It was very cold out on the water though so make sure you wear a jacket during the tour. After our tour of the Apostle Islands, we stopped at a cute little coffee shop in Bayfield called Big Water Coffee Roasters. I had one of their seasonal lattes and it was pretty good.

Have you been to Madeline Island?

Have you ever been to Madeline Island or the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore before? If you have, what are your favorite things to do there? Is there anything you would recommend if I were to go back to  Madeline Island? 

What to read about the rest of my road trip?

You can read about the first stop of my road trip in Devil's Lake State Park here. I will be posting about my third stop in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and my fourth stop in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore soon!

A Day At Devil’s Lake State Park

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Visiting Devil’s Lake State Park

In July 2017 I went on a road trip around Michigan and Wisconsin. This was my first time ever visiting Wisconsin! During this trip, I visited Devil's Lake State Park, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. The first stop of the trip was at Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Even though I only stayed for one night I was able to see a lot of things, and have a lot of fun while I was there.

My fist time visiting Wisconsin! I took a picture with the Wisconsin sign.

Stopping At The Wisconsin Dells

Before arriving at the campground, my group decided to have dinner in the Wisconsin Dells. The Dells are about 30 minutes past the Devil's Lake campground. We chose to have dinner at Monk’s Bar and Grill and walked around all the shops on the main street while we waited for our table. Monk’s is a casual family restaurant with good burgers at an affordable price. Of course, we had to try some Wisconsin cheese curds while we were in Wisconsin and those were good too. Since we only got to spend a few hours in the Dells, I hope to go back there in the future.

Arriving At Devil’s Lake State Park Campground

After having a late dinner in the Dells we drove back to our campsite. Our campsite was on a grassy hill and short walk to the bathroom and shower area. We got to the campsite just as it was getting dark and of course, we could not find our flashlight, luckily the people in the campsite next to us helped us put up our tent just before a big storm arrived. Less than 5 minutes after our tent was set up a huge thunder and lightning storm arrived. It was pouring rain and eventually even large hail! We decided to use this time to stop at the local Walmart to buy a few things we had forgot to bring with us. After a scary drive back to the campsite (it was raining and hailing so hard we could not see out the window), we waited in our car until about 1:30 am before the storm had stopped and we could sleep in the tent.

The next morning was hot and sunny! We were only staying at Devil’s Lake for the one night so we quickly packed our tent and then went to McDonald's for a quick breakfast and to use the free wifi. After our breakfast and doing our hair in the parking lot (Yes I did my hair in the McDonalds parking lot!) we were ready to start our day!

The Trails at Devil’s Lake

Before going hiking we stopped at the visitors center to get a copy of the trail map and pick the best hiking trail. Devils Lake State Park has 29 miles of trails! You can view the trail descriptions here.  We chose to go on the East Bluff trail since it considered an easier trail that was only 1.7 miles long. Along the trail, we got to see lots of great views of Devil’s Lake from above. At some point during our hike we lost the trail, but after being lost for an hour we found it. During our hike, we also saw the devil's doorway rock formation. At the end of our hike, we decided to take the potholes trail to get back down to the bottom. The potholes trail is 0.3 miles long and was very steep with lots of stairs. If you are interested in a challenging trail I would recommend it. We walked along the railroad tracks next to the lake to get back to the beach area. Even though we got lost on the trail and the hike ended up taking us 4 hours instead of 1 ½  hours we still had a great time and took lots of great photos! While I was hiking I used my Adidas drawstring bag to carry my water and other essentials. You can find one like it on Amazon here.

Enjoying the beach at Devil's Lake State Park

The Beach Area At Devil’s Lake State Park

Since our hike took longer than expected when did not have time to go swimming like we had planned. Even though we did not have time for swimming we still wanted to check out the lake and beach area. Devil’s Lake is a 360-acre lake that is surrounded by 500-foot bluffs. Next to the beach area, there was a nice gift shop and restaurant. The beach also had free wifi! There were lots of people swimming and out kayaking on the lake. Even though the beach area was kinda small it did not feel crowded. We got our feet in the water and took some fun pictures in the lake before leaving for our next destination of the trip.

If I Had More Time At Devil’s Lake State Park

Since we only stayed at Devil’s Lake for one night there are still lots of things there I would like to do. If had an extra day at Devil’s I would have loved to hike the other trails and have time to go swimming in the lake. I would also have liked to go kayaking.

Visit Devil's Lake State Park!

Have you ever been to Devil’s Lake? If you have what are your favorite things to do there. I would love to hear about your experiences in Devil’s Lake. If you haven’t been to Devil’s Lake I highly recommend that you go there this summer. I had a great time spending the day at Devil’s Lake. Devil’s lake is perfect for anyone looking for a place with great hiking trails and a nice lake to swim in. I hope I have the chance to visit Devil’s Lake again soon.