The 9 Best Backroads In Michigan For A Long Scenic Drive
While there are plenty of wonderful ways to explore Michigan by foot, sometimes you just need to get in the car and drive. Whether you’re looking to unwind, take your mind off everyday life, or simply catch some of the most beautiful views in the state, you’ll find pure bliss along the best scenic drives in Michigan. Not sure where to start? No worries! Here are nine scenic roads to follow in Michigan when you’re ready for an incredible journey:
This magical journey between Cross Village and Harbor Springs will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to a real-life fairy tale. Drive under lush foliage that’s especially lovely during autumn — you’ll be awestruck by its beauty. Along the way, you’ll also catch gorgeous views of the Lake Michigan shoreline from atop stunning bluffs.
This 22-mile drive winds alongside the beautiful Au Sable River and travels westward through the Huron National Forest. This is more than just a drive: along the route, visitors will find ample opportunities to stop and picnic, take a walk, or even camp amid the breathtaking forestry. What’s not to love?
This gem in the Upper Peninsula can be found within Hiawatha National Forest. Travel along FFH42 from near the town of Paradise and drive alongside the beautiful shores of Whitefish Bay. The route ends near Point Iroquois, but you might be tempted to turn around and drive it all over again!
If you love Lake Michigan, this is the drive for you. Perhaps Michigan’s most famous scenic route, M-22 stretches for over 115 miles along the shores of our beloved Big Lake. Start your journey in Manistee and travel through Benzie and Leelanau Counties before winding up in Traverse City. Just be forewarned: it’s impossible not to stop at one of the marvelous locales along the way!
This delightful drive in the U.P. is especially stunning during autumn months, but it will charm you no matter when you visit. You’ll be in awe of your surroundings as you travel along this magical route, which might make you forget you’re in the Midwest! Don't forget to stop in Manistique to check out Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s most famous natural spring, during your journey.
If you’re willing to get up early to (and we mean pre-dawn early) to spot a sunset, you can have the experience of a lifetime along the coast of Lake Huron. Follow US-23 all the way from Standish to Mackinaw City, stopping along the way to marvel at lighthouses, public beaches, and hiking paths. Lake Huron is oft-underrated, but we promise this is one drive you’ll never forget.
This one is a no-brainer. If you find yourself in the Upper Peninsula, you simply must experience the stunning coast of Lake Superior, and a drive along M-28 will help you do just that. This 43-mile stretch of road gives way to insanely beautiful views of the water, and you’ll end your journey in Munising — where you can hop on a boat tour to enjoy a closer look at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has never looked so good. Load up the car and take a drive along this scenic route, which winds through forested areas and gives way to some of the most breathtaking overlooks imaginable. Stop to snap a few photos, sink your toes into the soft sand, and marvel at a seemingly endless view of gorgeous Lake Michigan. This is Michigan at its best.
If you’re looking for a short but sweet scenic drive, this is the one for you. During your next trip to the U.P.’s Copper Harbor, take the 9-mile jaunt along Brockway Mountain Drive, which offers stunning elevated views of the surrounding landscape and an amazing vantage point for admiring Lake Superior. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready: you might even spot some unique birds of prey along the route!
Have you traveled along any of the best scenic drives in Michigan? Did we leave your favorite back roads off our list? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Craving more scenic beauty? Embark on a road trip through The Great Lakes State for endless beauty and fascinating destinations.
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Address: State 119, M-119, Harbor Springs, MI, USA
Address: M-65, Michigan, USA
Address: M-123, Michigan, USA
Address: Michigan 22, M-22, Frankfort, MI, USA
Address: US-2, St Ignace, MI, USA
Address: US-23, Sylvania, OH, USA
Address: M-28, Marquette, MI, USA
Address: Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr, Empire, MI, USA
Address: Brockway Mountain Dr, Michigan, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In Michigan
April 05, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the best roadside attractions in Michigan?
The Mitten State, nicknamed for its iconic shape, is understandably quirky. With 96,716 square miles of landscape and the personalities of over 10 million residents contributing to Michigan’s unique atmosphere, there’s much to see and do in our unusual state. One of the more surprising, yet perfectly understandable in retrospect, things that you may discover along your travels is a collection of roadside attractions in Michigan. You might spot a dinosaur “zoo,” a giant tire, and a 52 foot tall Native American that’s one of the tallest such statues in the nation.
Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Michigan?
Here in The Great Lakes State, you’ll find that there are several scenic backroads in Michigan that are worth exploring. You’ll find that every rural town has them, and some are more beautiful than others. For endlessly beautiful views, check out our scenic beach towns in the Northern portion of the state.
Are there other similar things to do in Michigan when you have a free afternoon?
There are many things to do in Michigan, and visitors often find that our state is something of a hidden gem when it comes to tourism. You’ll find an abundance of outdoor fun, especially when it comes to hiking in local parks. If you’re craving something truly spectacular, check out a local waterfall or two. Each has a certain sort of beauty that can only be found in the natural world, and each is pure, untamed Michigan at its core. Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for adventure, because our landscape is sure to leave you enchanted.
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