When you think of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the winter, you might picture two things: snow and ice. In other words, you imagine freezing, unwelcoming weather, which deters many from the idea of visiting.
However, winter adds a fresh, magical quality to the UP, making it a serene vacation destination even in the middle of January. Here’s why you should visit the Upper Peninsula this winter.
- View the Northern Lights
- Experience Winter Wonderlands
- Visit Scenic Sites with a Wintry Twist
- Participate in Winter Activities
View the Northern Lights
With the sun at the peak of its current 11-year solar cycle, the Upper Peninsula will be one of the best places in the US to witness the northern lights this year due to its northern position and low light pollution.
Though, a lot of the UP is covered in forest, so your best bet to view the aurora is to be somewhere along Lake Superior so you have clear views looking north. Some cities that provide those views include Marquette and Munising.
Better yet, visit Keweenaw Dark Sky Park at the northernmost tip of Michigan. Extremely low light pollution and miles and miles of visibility over Lake Superior make this park an excellent location to view the celestial spectacle.
Experience Winter Wonderlands
Many places in the US are facing warmer winters and less snow, making the classic “winter wonderland” a more sought-after experience in recent years.
On average, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula receives anywhere between 30 inches to 200 inches of snow each winter season, depending on the region. In 2023-2024—a notoriously warm winter for Michigan and the US—the southern portion of the peninsula received about 30 inches of snow, but northern areas such as the Keweenaw Peninsula still received approximately 100-150 inches. All this to say, even during a mild winter, you will find snow somewhere in the UP.
Visit Scenic Sites with a Wintry Twist
Speaking of winter wonderlands, fluffy white snow gives the UP’s iconic sites a new, bright character.
Tahquamenon Falls—one of the most spectacular sites to visit in the Upper Peninsula—becomes magical in the winter when the surrounding pine trees are dusted with sugary snow and the copper cascades plunge into the ice-covered river below. This waterfall rarely freezes completely through, but some portions of it do if it stays cold for long enough, which is a neat sight to behold!
If you really want to see a frozen waterfall, the area surrounding Munising is home to a variety of beautiful waterfalls that are known to freeze in the winter (January/February), including Munising Falls and Wagner Falls. There are four falls directly in Munising’s city limits, and 17 within driving distance, providing you with numerous options to visit.
Other popular sites to stop by include Kitch-iti-kipi and Lake of the Clouds. Because of the cold and snow, very few tourists will be exploring these places, so everything will be very quiet and serene. Take advantage of the peaceful winter season while you can!
Participate in Winter Activities
The Upper Peninsula is an excellent place to engage in some classic winter activities, including skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
For skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of ski resorts and recreational areas that you can choose from, including:
If you’re into snowmobiling, Michigan’s UP is often known as one of the best places to snowmobile in the US. In fact, there are about 3,000 miles of trails you can ride on from December 1 to March 31 every year. Of course, your ability to snowmobile will depend on the amount of snowfall, but as I mentioned, the UP usually sees quite a lot of snow. Just make sure your vehicle is registered and you have a trail permit.
As for ice fishing, the UP is one of the best places for that too. The Upper Peninsula is not only surrounded by three Great Lakes, but it also has over 4,000 inland lakes to fish on. So, you have a plethora of fishing locations to choose from. As long as you have your fishing license and the proper gear, you’re set to go!
Of course, you can also take part in other classic winter activities like sledding, ice skating at indoor ice rinks, or just playing in the snow and having snowball fights. So many options!
As someone originally from Northern Michigan, I know the UP can be misunderstood as a frigid place to avoid in the winter. I had the opportunity to witness its charm growing up, so I feel it’s my duty to share the beauty of this northern destination. If all else fails and you get snowed in or there’s no snow, grab a pasty and Vernors to indulge in the Upper Peninsula’s finest cuisine.
Happy Lil’ Traveller 
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