Stay Cool This Summer on a Wet and Wild Midwest Road Trip

You'll start your road trip in the cooling mist of Minnesota's tallest waterfall, the 120-foot High Falls of the Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park. The triple cascade of the waterfall is easy to reach via a mostly paved, 1-mile out-and-back trail—a great way to get your blood pumping at the beginning of this road trip. Grand Portage is one of the Minnesota state parks that does not require a permit.

Driving southwest along the North Shore of Lake Superior, on Scenic MN-61, you'll eventually reach the Kadunce River State Wayside. Here, you can splash in the water of Lake Superior at the mouth of the eponymous river, and hike a short, 1.2-mile (out and back) trail up the river gorge. If the river levels are cooperative, you can even leave the trail and hike up the river itself for some incredible gorge views and to catch glimpses of several small waterfalls.

After leaving the wayside and continuing southwestward for a few minutes, you'll enter the charming town of Grand Marais. Stop downtown to grab a cup of coffee from Java Moose and a smoothie from Shook, which you can enjoy while sitting on the pebble beach, gazing out over the harbor to Artists Point and the small lighthouse.

After passing the Tettegouche State Park visitor center, which doubles as the most scenic rest area you'll ever see, you'll come to a sign directing you to Black Beach. Take this turn and drive a short distance down a side road, following signs as you go, until you reach a small parking area. Here, there's a beach that's truly unique. In fact, there may not be another like it in the world. The fine particles that make this stretch of shoreline a "black" beach are not from a volcanic event, as one might expect. Rather, the pigmentation is caused by a taconite (iron ore) refining operation that once sent its tailings into Lake Superior. The mining company worked with the Minnesota DNR to clean the water and shoreline, but the color remained. Today, Black Beach is a popular year-round destination on the North Shore.

You're next stop is another singular beach just a few minutes down the road. Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area is home to a stretch of striking pink pebbles along the Lake Superior Shoreline. When the waves lap at the beach, the stones make a tinkling sound, giving this spot a reputation for "singing"—and the nickname, "Singing Beach." It's also an incredibly scenic stop that you won't want to pass up.

Your last watery stop for the day is in the city of Duluth, across the famous Aerial Lift Bridge from the Canal Park district. This 7-mile stretch of Duluth is called Park Point, and it sits on the world's longest freshwater sandbar, which in turn, means it's home to one of the longest freshwater beaches on the planet. This long strand of sand feels much more like being on the coast than it does the Upper Midwest—until you dip your toes into the bracing, fresh water.

As the day winds down, head back to Canal Park for dinner at Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar, then stay Fairfield Inn and Suites Duluth Waterfront, which is located on the harbor side of Park Point, just a few minutes from Canal Park and a couple of blocks from the beach side—you can walk to either from the hotel. Not only do many of the hotel's clean, modern rooms offer water views, you'll get a free hot breakfast and a pretty good cup of coffee in the morning.

A few minutes south of the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin, you'll come to Pattison State Park, home to Wisconsin's tallest waterfall. The short hike to 185-foot Big Manitou Falls from the parking lot is an easy 0.8-mile loop, and it's a great way to stretch your legs before a day of driving; plus, you get to see a gorgeous waterfall. This is a waterfall that's view-only—we'll get to the kind you can splash around in momentarily. A fee or a permit is required to enter Pattison and all other state parks on this itinerary.

About 25 minutes down the road from Pattison, you'll encounter Amnicon Falls State Park. This popular state park is home to a handful of picturesque waterfalls, a covered bridge, and, on hot days when water levels are safe, a couple of superb swimming holes. Bust out your towel and suit, and spend some time splashing in the Amnicon River before continuing.

From Amnicon State Park, you'll head north onto the Bayfield Peninsula, through the lovely village of Cornucopia (home to Ehler's, Wisconsin's oldest general store), and onward to Meyers Beach at the westernmost end of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Here, you can choose your own adventure. After parking, take the stairs down to the beach and walk along the golden sand where, in the distance, you can glimpse the park's stunning sandstone sea caves. Dip your toes in the water, and then continue on your way. Or... you can head back to the parking area, where you'll find the trailhead for the Lakeshore Trail, which will take you much closer to the sea caves if you want a closer look and are up for a hike. The whole trail is a moderately challenging, 4.1-mile, out-and-back hike, but if you don't want to do the full length of the trail, you'll start to see the caves about a mile into the hike. You will need to pay a fee or display your America the Beautiful Pass to park.

Cross the peninsula and wander into the charming town of Bayfield to find dinner. Manypenny Bistro is one of my favorites. Afterward, stroll the quaint downtown area, stopping into open shops, and enjoy the sounds of gulls calling from the shoreline and sailboat halyards singing in the municipal marina. If you time your trip just right, you may even catch a moonrise over Lake Superior as you drive along the shoreline from Bayfield to your waterfront hotel in Ashland.

Ashland, Wisconsin, is a small city that wraps around the curve of Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior, and it's also where you'll be spending your second night of this road trip. You can't go wrong with Blue Wave Inn and Sandbar, a locally-owned hotel that offers wonderful views out over the bay. If you arrive in time, grab a drink from the Sandbar and enjoy a beachside bonfire before turning in. The Sandbar is also a convenient place for breakfast in the morning before heading out on the final leg of your adventure.

Your first stop after crossing the border into Michigan will be the mile-and-a-half-long stretch of sand along Union Bay on Lake Superior's South Shore. Much of the beach lies within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, so you'll enjoy some spectacular scenery on your way to your destination. Stretch your legs, dip your toes in the water, and sit a spell before continuing on your journey. You'll need to pay an entry fee to venture into this and other Michigan state parks.

You'll have a chance to work up a bit of a sweat to reach your next destination, O Kun-de-kun Falls on the Baltimore River in the Ottawa National Forest. The hike to the falls is an easy, 2.8-mile loop, but I recommend bringing a towel and a good attitude, because if the river levels are right, you should be prepared to get wet. The pool at the base of the falls is an awesome swimming hole, where you are unlikely to encounter too many other people.

The next stop on your road trip is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest waterfalls in Michigan. You won't be able to get into the water at Bond Falls Scenic Site, but you can try and catch some of the mist as it tumbles off this picturesque series of cascades—and besides, it's on the way.

I hope you're not tired of beaches yet, because I think we've saved the best for last. Sand Point Beach is just east of Munising, near the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore headquarters. This stunning strand is a crescent of sand that extends gradually into the blue-green of Lake Superior along the narrow neck of East Channel, across from Grand Island lighthouse. I recommend picking up a picnic lunch and Munising and bringing it out with you to enjoy before you continue on. You'll need your America the Beautiful Pass for this stop, as well.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls, at 200 feet wide and boasting a drop of more than 50 feet, is the largest waterfall in Michigan—and one of the biggest in the U.S., east of the Mississippi. You'll find the cascade at its namesake state park, and it's definitely worth a look on your visit. But when you're ready to cool off, head a few miles downstream to Lower Tahquamenon Falls, a series of much smaller cascades that are perfect for splashing around in on hot days when the river's flow isn't too high. When you've finished, head to the visitor center for a snack and a beer—you deserve it.