Michigan Up North
- Wild Dirt
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Michigan State Park Travel Guide
At the top of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, three parks showcase the best of the north. Petoskey's sandy bays, Wilderness's dark skies and endless shoreline, and Cheboygan's lighthouse views all capture the spirit of "Up North." Here, the air is cooler, the nights are brighter, and the lakes feel as wide as the horizon.
How to Get There
This region is anchored by Petoskey, Mackinaw City, and Cheboygan.
Wilderness State Park: 15 minutes west of Mackinaw City.
Petoskey State Park: On Little Traverse Bay, just outside Petoskey.
Cheboygan State Park: 10 minutes from downtown Cheboygan, 30 minutes south of Mackinaw City.
Nearest airport: Pellston Regional (PLN), 30 minutes from all three parks. Traverse City's Cherry Capital (TVC) is 2 hours south.
Know Before You Go
Cooler summers: Lake breezes keep this region comfortable, even in July.
Reservations: These parks are smaller and fill quickly in summer. Book ahead.
Biting bugs: Mosquitoes and black flies peak in June and July.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Swimming, boating, and long lakefront days.
Fall: Brilliant foliage around Little Traverse Bay and the Straits.
Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and quiet shoreline trails.
Spring: Bird migrations along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Highlights & Activities
Wilderness State Park: 26 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, backcountry camping, kayaking, and some of the state's best stargazing.
Petoskey State Park: Famous for hunting Petoskey stones, beach days on Little Traverse Bay, and dune hiking.
Cheboygan State Park: Explore lighthouse ruins, hike forested trails, and fish or paddle along Lake Huron.
Nearby Lodging
Inside the parks: Campgrounds at all three, plus rustic cabins at Wilderness.
Petoskey & Harbor Springs: Boutique hotels, resorts, and lakeside rentals.
Cheboygan & Mackinaw City: Motels, inns, and vacation rentals near the ferry docks.
Nearby Food
Petoskey: Local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and Great Lakes whitefish.
Cheboygan: Small-town diners, grills, and lakeside cafés.
Mackinaw City: Fudge shops, family-style restaurants, and casual seafood.
