The Ultimate 9-Day Michigan Road Trip Itinerary: Beach Towns, National Parks, Mackinac Island & the Upper Peninsula

Michigan was one of those trips that completely surprised me!

Before visiting, I knew I wanted to see Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, Pictured Rocks, and Isle Royale National Park, but I don’t think I fully understood how much variety this state has. In just over a week, I drove along Lake Michigan beach towns, explored charming small towns, kayaked beneath colorful cliffs, flew by seaplane to one of the least visited national parks in the country, and somehow still squeezed in a quick stop in Wisconsin on the way back to Chicago.

This trip was fast-paced, outdoorsy, and honestly a little exhausting at times - but in the best way. If you love scenic drives, national parks, cute downtowns, lake views, and packing as much as possible into one road trip, this Michigan itinerary is for you.

I started and ended this trip from Chicago Midway Airport, rented a car, and spent 9 days road tripping through Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Over 9 days, I drove approximately 1,750 miles through Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, with a total trip cost of $2,744.58. This included my rental car, gas, accommodations, activities, food, and transportation to bucket-list stops like Pictured Rocks and Isle Royale National Park.

Is the America the Beautiful Pass Worth It for This Trip?

For this specific trip, I was really glad I had the America the Beautiful Pass. I used it at multiple national park sites, including Indiana Dunes National Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Isle Royale National Park.

Indiana Dunes normally charges an entrance fee, Sleeping Bear Dunes is $25 per vehicle, and Isle Royale has a daily entrance fee. Since I already had the pass, I was able to get into these sites without paying separately each time.

If you are planning to visit multiple national parks, national lakeshores, or federal recreation sites in a year, it may be worth looking into!

Day 1: Chicago to Traverse City with Stops at Indiana Dunes and South Haven

I started this road trip by renting a car from Chicago Midway Airport and beginning the drive toward Traverse City. Since I was already starting in Chicago, I decided to break up the drive with a few stops along the way.

My first stop was Indiana Dunes National Park. I visited the West Beach area and hiked the Dune Succession Trail, which is a short 1-mile loop that takes less than an hour. It was a great way to stretch my legs before spending more time in the car, and I loved that it gave me a quick mix of beach views, dunes, and forested trail sections.

I also stopped by the gift shop before continuing north. Indiana Dunes normally costs $20 to enter, but I was able to get in for free with my America the Beautiful Pass.

From there, I continued on to South Haven, which ended up being such a cute stop. I visited the South Haven Lighthouse, walked along Phoenix Street, saw the Welcome to South Haven sign, stopped into The Blueberry Store, and grabbed lunch at Clementine’s. There was also a car show happening while I was there, which made the town feel extra lively.

South Haven is known for its annual Blueberry Festival, and even though I wasn’t there during the festival, you can definitely tell the town leans into its blueberry theme. This was one of those stops that made the drive feel more like part of the trip instead of just a travel day.

After lunch and a little exploring, I continued to Traverse City and checked into my hotel for the night. For my first two nights, I stayed at The Vic by Kasa, which worked well as a home base for exploring Traverse City, driving M-22, and visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes. I wasn’t looking for a luxury stay on this trip — I wanted something practical, clean, and convenient since most of my days were spent road-tripping and exploring.

I’d recommend comparing prices in Traverse City early, especially during summer, because this area can get expensive!

Day 2: Driving the M-22 Scenic Highway

Day 2 was dedicated to driving M-22, one of Michigan’s most scenic routes. The highway forms a loop around the Leelanau Peninsula, and while you could technically drive it in about three hours without stopping, that would completely miss the point.

With stops, I’d plan closer to 5–7 hours, especially if you want time to wander through small towns, grab food, visit the lighthouse, and enjoy the lake views.

I started the morning in Traverse City, where I walked around downtown, grabbed coffee at The Outpost, checked out a few shops, and stopped into Cherry Republic. There was also a craft market happening near Clinch Park Marina, which made the morning feel really fun and relaxed.

I also visited The Village at Grand Tra

verse Commons, which is a former historic hospital complex that has been turned into shops, restaurants, and public spaces. It’s one of the more unique stops in Traverse City and worth checking out if you enjoy historic buildings or adaptive reuse spaces.

Before leaving Traverse City, I grabbed ice cream at Moomers, which has been named one of America’s best scoops. I feel like you can’t visit Traverse City without trying something cherry-related or dairy-related, so this felt like a necessary stop.

From Traverse City, I made my way to Suttons Bay. This was a cute lakeside town with a marina, local shops, and a very walkable downtown. I grabbed lunch at Hop Lot, which had a fun outdoor beer garden-style atmosphere.

Next, I continued to Northport. This town felt quieter, but I really enjoyed it. I stopped at Barb’s Bakery, grabbed pastries, and ate them by the marina, which honestly felt like such a simple but perfect road trip moment. I also visited Grand Traverse Lighthouse and the shoreline at Leelanau State Park. It was $12 to enter the park and $8 for lighthouse entry.

After Northport, I stopped in Leland to see Fishtown. This is one of the most popular stops along M-22, and it has a really charming historic fishing village feel. I didn’t eat there, but Village Cheese Shanty was highly recommended and is definitely on my list if I go back.

I ended the day by returning toward Traverse City for sunset at Mission Point Lighthouse.

If I had to choose one day from this trip that best captures the charm of Michigan’s lakeside towns, it would probably be this one!

Day 3: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Day 3 was all about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and this was one of the places I was most excited to visit.

Entrance is $25 per vehicle, but again, I was able to use my America the Beautiful Pass.

I started with Empire Bluff Trail, which ended up being one of my favorite short hikes of the trip. It’s about 1.7 miles with 183 feet of elevation gain, and I’d consider it pretty moderate. It takes less than an hour, but the views at the end are absolutely worth it. You get this gorgeous overlook of Lake Michigan, and it’s one of those places where the water looks almost too blue to be real.

After Empire Bluff, I checked out both the Dune Climb area and what people sometimes refer to as the “big dune.” This is something I think is worth explaining because it can be confusing if you’ve never been.

The Dune Climb is the more accessible, family-friendly area where people climb up the dunes for fun. The “big dune” people often talk about is on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, is much more intense and not the same casual experience. I walked a little of both, but this is definitely something I would research ahead of time depending on your fitness level, time, and how much effort you want to put into climbing sand.

I also drove Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which I think is a must-do if you’re visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes. Even if you don’t want to hike much, this drive gives you access to some incredible overlooks.

Later, I hiked Pyramid Point Trail, which is about 1.8 miles with 230 feet of elevation gain. Like Empire Bluff, it’s relatively short but still gives you a great payoff with another beautiful view of Lake Michigan.

For lunch, I stopped in Glen Arbor at The Mill, which was such a cute spot and a nice break after a morning of hiking and scenic drives.

After Sleeping Bear Dunes, I drove about two hours to Mackinaw City. I grabbed dinner at The Rusted Spoke and honestly didn’t do much else because I was exhausted.

If you have more energy than I did, I was recommended Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and McGulpin Point Lighthouse for sunset. My hotel host especially recommended McGulpin Point. Other options in the area include the Jack Pine Lumberjack Show and Headlands International Dark Sky Park, especially if there’s a chance of northern lights.

For nights 3 and 4, I stayed at the Rainbow Motel in Mackinaw City, which worked well as a budget-friendly base for visiting Mackinac Island. Since I knew I’d be spending most of my time out exploring, I wasn’t looking for anything fancy - just somewhere affordable, convenient, and close enough to the ferry docks for an easy day trip to the island. If you’re planning to visit Mackinac Island but don’t want to pay island hotel prices, staying in Mackinaw City can be a much more affordable option. You can check rates for Rainbow Motel at the link here!

Day 4: Mackinac Island

Day 4 was Mackinac Island, and this was probably the rainiest day of my entire trip.

I took the ferry over to the island, which cost $41. I used Shepler’s Ferry, and I highly recommend checking the schedule for the “Big Mack” ferry option. A few times a day, the ferry route goes under the Mackinac Bridge, and it only adds about 10 minutes to the ride. Even with the gloomy weather, I thought the bridge views made it worth it.

Originally, I wanted to rent a bike and ride around the island, but the weather was gross, so I adjusted my plans.

I started with coffee at Lucky Bean, then explored Fort Mackinac. Admission was $17.50 and included access to other museums in the area. I actually enjoyed the fort more than I expected. It gave helpful context to the island’s history, and since it was raining, it was a good indoor-ish activity.

After that, I wandered downtown and did a mini fudge taste test because it felt illegal to go to Mackinac Island and not try fudge. I tried Ryba’s, Joann’s, and Murdick’s, and Murdick’s was my personal favorite.

For lunch, I went to Pink Pony, which is one of the more iconic places to eat on the island.

Since biking wasn’t ideal in the rain, I decided to do a Mackinac Island carriage tour. The basic tour cost $46 and gave a good overview of the island’s history. It took us through the state park, past the Grand Hotel, the Michigan governor’s summer residence, Fort Mackinac, and Arch Rock.

Later, I stopped by the Grand Hotel. It costs $14 to enter for a self-guided visit, and I grabbed drinks at the Cupola Bar on the fourth floor. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth visiting if you’re curious about the property or want a classic Mackinac Island experience.

At the end of the day, I took the ferry back to Mackinaw City.

I do think Mackinac Island would have been a very different experience with better weather, so I’d love to go back someday and bike the island like I originally planned!

Day 5: Marquette

On Day 5, I drove into Marquette, which ended up being one of the places I wish I had more time to explore.

I started with breakfast and coffee at Trenary Toast Cafe, then stopped to see the Lower Harbor Ore Dock. The ore dock is one of those industrial landmarks that feels very tied to the identity and history of the Upper Peninsula, and it’s worth seeing if you’re walking along the waterfront.

From there, I hiked Sugarloaf Mountain. This was a great short hike with big views, and I can see why it’s such a popular Marquette stop.

I also explored Presque Isle Park, which is beautiful - but this is also where my trip took a turn. I slipped on some rocks and sprained my ankle, which forced me to call it a day earlier than planned.

Not exactly the souvenir I was hoping to bring home from Michigan!

Even with the injury, I really liked Marquette and would love to go back. It felt outdoorsy, laid-back, and less touristy than some of the other places on this itinerary.

Day 6: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Despite the ankle situation, I still made it to my kayaking tour at Pictured Rocks - and I am so glad I did!

I booked a tour with Pictured Rocks Kayaking, which cost $178.08. The tour was about 5 miles and lasted roughly 4–5 hours.

This ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. Seeing the colorful cliffs from the water is completely different than seeing them from overlooks or photos. The rock formations, caves, and water colors were stunning, and I do think kayaking gives you one of the best perspectives of Pictured Rocks.

Because of my ankle, I didn’t get to do the hiking I had originally hoped to do, but there are several popular trails and overlooks in the area that I would add if I went back!

Some options to research include Chapel Rock, Chapel Beach, Miners Castle, Mosquito Falls, and other sections of the Lakeshore Trail.

After kayaking, I grabbed lunch at Foggy’s in the nearby town of Christmas, Michigan, then drove to my Airbnb in Hancock so I’d be closer to my Isle Royale seaplane departure the next morning.

Day 7: Isle Royale National Park

Day 7 was one of the biggest bucket-list days of the trip: Isle Royale National Park.

Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the country, largely because it’s so remote and takes extra planning to reach. I decided to visit as a day trip by seaplane, flying from Hubbell to Rock Harbor.

The seaplane cost $406, and parking was $10 per day. Flights book out pretty far in advance - I booked mine in April for a June trip.

You can also reach Isle Royale by ferry, and ferries depart from both Michigan and Wisconsin. If you’re planning your own visit, I’d recommend comparing the ferry and seaplane options on the National Park Service website and deciding based on your budget, timing, and how much time you want on the island.

You can fly into either Rock Harbor or Windigo. I chose Rock Harbor because it worked best for my plans and gave me access to the Stoll Trail toward Scoville Point.

With my ankle still not fully functional, I didn’t make it all the way to Scoville Point, but I did hike most of the trail and still had stunning views along the shoreline. Honestly, even just being on Isle Royale felt special. There’s something so peaceful about arriving by seaplane, hiking along Lake Superior, having lunch by the water, reading for a bit, and knowing you’re on such a remote island.

I had lunch at Greenstone Grill, picked up souvenirs at the park store, enjoyed the views, and flew back later that day.

For visitors who want to stay overnight, there is a lodge on the island, but it books out far in advance. Many people also camp, but you do need a permit. Isle Royale has a $7 daily entrance fee, but entry is free with the America the Beautiful Pass.

This was easily one of my favorite experiences of the entire Michigan trip!

Day 8: Porcupine Mountains & Madison

On Day 8, I started heading back toward Chicago but made a quick stop at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park along the way.

Because of my ankle, this was a very light stop. I visited Lake of the Clouds, which was absolutely worth seeing even if you don’t have time for a long hike. I had hoped to hike Summit Peak, which is a short 0.5-mile trail, but my ankle wasn’t having it.

After leaving the Porcupine Mountains, I continued on to Madison, Wisconsin. This was technically outside the Michigan portion of the trip, but it made for a fun final stop before returning to Chicago.

In Madison, I met up with my parents’ friends for dinner at The Old Fashioned, where I finally tried cheese curds and a Wisconsin-style old fashioned. I also walked around Capitol Square, drove through the University of Wisconsin campus, and stopped to see a few of my company’s developments in the area!

This was a nice, low-key way to end the trip after so many packed travel days.

Day 9: Return to Chicago

The final day was just a travel day.

I left Madison around 6:00 AM, drove back to Chicago, returned my rental car at Midway Airport around 9:00 AM, and flew home to Houston.

By this point, I was tired, slightly injured, and very ready to be home - but also really grateful for how much I was able to see in one trip!

My Favorite Experiences from the Trip

If I had to rank my favorite experiences from this Michigan road trip, I’d probably put Isle Royale at the top. There was something incredibly memorable about flying out to such a remote national park, even just for the day.

Pictured Rocks kayaking would be a very close second. It was expensive, but the views from the water were unreal.

Driving M-22 also surprised me. I didn’t know much about the route before this trip, but I loved the combination of small towns, lake views, bakeries, marinas, and scenic stops.

Sleeping Bear Dunes was another major highlight, especially Empire Bluff Trail and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

Mackinac Island was beautiful and iconic, but the rain definitely impacted my experience. I still enjoyed it, but I think I’d want to return in better weather before giving a final verdict.

What I Would Change

Looking back, this trip was amazing, but it was definitely ambitious.

If I did it again, I would probably add an extra day in the Upper Peninsula. I would have loved more time in Marquette, more time to hike at Pictured Rocks, and maybe an overnight stay on Isle Royale instead of just a day trip.

I also wish I had better weather on Mackinac Island. If I went back, I’d prioritize biking around the island, which I didn’t get to do because of the rain!

The ankle sprain also changed the last part of my trip. I missed out on some hikes I had planned, especially around Pictured Rocks and the Porcupine Mountains, so I’d love to revisit those areas someday!

Tips for Planning a Michigan Road Trip

This trip taught me that Michigan is bigger and more spread out than it looks on a map. If you’re planning a similar route, give yourself more time than you think you need.

I’d also recommend booking key experiences early. Mackinac Island ferry tickets are easy to get, but Isle Royale seaplanes and lodging can book up well in advance. Pictured Rocks kayaking tours are also something I’d reserve ahead of time, especially during peak summer months.

Weather is another big factor. I visited in June and still had rain, cooler temperatures, and changing conditions. Pack layers, rain gear, and shoes that can handle hiking, wet weather, and lots of walking.

Finally, don’t underestimate how much driving this itinerary involves. This route covers a lot of ground, and while the drives are scenic, they can be tiring. If you want a slower version of this trip, I’d recommend focusing on either the Lower Peninsula or the Upper Peninsula instead of trying to do both.

Final Thoughts: Is Michigan Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

Michigan ended up being one of the most underrated trips I’ve taken in the U.S. It has beach towns, scenic drives, national parks, charming small towns, island adventures, dramatic cliffs, and some of the prettiest freshwater views I’ve ever seen.

If you’re someone who loves road trips, outdoor adventures, and destinations that feel a little less obvious, Michigan deserves a spot on your travel list.

This trip was packed, imperfect, rainy, tiring, and occasionally chaotic - but it was also one of the most rewarding road trips I’ve done.