TRAVEL

Summer belongs to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Follow one filmmaker’s journey through the U.P., where a season shaped by water, wilderness, and warmth unfolds.

When the days stretch longer and summer arrives, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula comes alive.

Photographs byGrace Eggleston

Published April 21, 2026

Michigan summers arrive like a long‑awaited gift. After months of snow, that first warm sunrise feels transformative—the promise of a new day, a new beginning, as the world opens up and the ease of the season returns.

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, summer puts on a show for those who venture north—endlessly fun and quietly awe‑inspiring. With rugged trails, clear waters, and the vast, stunning presence of Lake Superior, the U.P. turns every hike, swim, and spontaneous adventure into something unforgettable.

This year, as Pure Michigan celebrates its 20th anniversary, a trio of inspiring storytellers were invited to reimagine the iconic commercials that helped define the Great Lakes State, capturing its spirit through the seasons.

“Summer in the Upper Peninsula is a constant source of inspiration, from the wildlife to the trails to the water. It’s a season full of energy, and I’m excited to share it.” — Grace Eggleston

To bring summer to life, wildlife cinematographer and documentary filmmaker Grace Eggleston, a Michigan native, created a contemporary interpretation of the beloved spot titled A Simple Sunrise. Her journey took her deep into the Upper Peninsula, where she chased sweeping landscapes, seemingly endless shorelines, and those unforgettable first rays of morning light. Discover the places she explored—and experience the film that captures summer in the U.P. at its most breathtaking.

In the Porcupine Mountains, Lake of the Clouds Overlook reveals sweeping views of the lake and the Carp River, with lush forests and dramatic rock walls stretching for miles. Sunrise is one of the best times to visit, when the lake below best reflects its name.

Summer transforms Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park into a hub for outdoor recreation, with 60,000 acres of forest, waterfalls, shorelines, rivers, and trails setting the stage for long days of hiking, biking, swimming, camping, and fishing.

Summer transforms Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park into a hub for outdoor recreation, with 60,000 acres of forest, waterfalls, shorelines, rivers, and trails setting the stage for long days of hiking, biking, swimming, camping, and fishing.

Along Lake Superior, just east of the Porcupine Mountains, summer light awakens Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where sunlit cliffs and crystal-blue water define the coast.

Stretching along 42 miles of picturesque shoreline, Pictured Rocks invites travelers to experience the best of land and water, from kayaking and paddleboarding to hiking and biking scenic lakeshore trails.

A boat tour with Pictured Rocks Cruises reveals the national lakeshore from new angles, gliding past towering cliffs, quiet beaches, and a historic lighthouse. Along the way, passengers witness geological wonders shaped by wind, weather, and the relentless waves of Lake Superior, from sea caves and arches to blowholes and towering stone spires.

A boat tour with Pictured Rocks Cruises reveals the national lakeshore from new angles, gliding past towering cliffs, quiet beaches, and a historic lighthouse. Along the way, passengers witness geological wonders shaped by wind, weather, and the relentless waves of Lake Superior, from sea caves and arches to blowholes and towering stone spires.

Summer in the UP — There are hundreds of waterfalls in the U.P., but the stretch between Munising and Grand Marais—home to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore—boasts some of the best. Munising Falls, located within the city itself, is among the most popular for a reason: a short, scenic, and shaded trail leads visitors right to this stunning cascade.

At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the U.P. shows off its natural wonders on every scale—from the power of the rushing Upper Falls to the gentle cascades comprising the Lower Falls to the quiet beauty found along the forest floor.

At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the U.P. shows off its natural wonders on every scale—from the power of the rushing Upper Falls to the gentle cascades comprising the Lower Falls to the quiet beauty found along the forest floor.

The northeastern edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shines in the warmer months, inviting exploration on land and water alike. From sailing or boating Lake Superior to exploring historic Whitefish Point—with its lighthouse, shipwreck museum, bird observatory, and winding trails—the coast is rich with discovery.

The northeastern edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shines in the warmer months, inviting exploration on land and water alike. From sailing or boating Lake Superior to exploring historic Whitefish Point—with its lighthouse, shipwreck museum, bird observatory, and winding trails—the coast is rich with discovery.

A sunrise over Lake Superior feels almost otherworldly—a breathtaking sight and one of the many reasons summer truly finds its stride on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

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