Northern Wisc and U.P. things to see that you WONT find on Google

[JTdiRtyD]

We will start somewhere around Superior, WI and the plan is to use forest roads as much as we can to make our way across to the bridge. I've been through northern WI and the U.P. plenty of times via highways, and I've already done a lot of the normal touristy things. What I'm looking for now are any abandoned logging towns, mining towns, ghost towns, gem waterfalls, gem lakes, etc. that we can try to plan along the way? I've tried searching, everything comes up with the normal mining museums/shipwreck tours/Pictured Rocks/Grand Island/Drummond Island blah blah blah.

Also, is it only campground camping on Drummond?

Sponsored

 

[46flattie]

Regarding Drummond Island camping - In addition to campgrounds, you can disperse camp on State Land on Drummond Island or anywhere in the State of MI. There are dispersed camping permits available thru the MDNR website and regulations on where (or where you are not allowed) to disperse camp. Basically, specifies on State Land and how far from water's edge and from established campgrounds.

There are tons of "off the beaten path" places in the UP to check out, but not many that can't be Googled anymore. Fiborn Quarry and Karst caves come to mind near Trout Lake since you mentioned the Drummond Island area. If you have an idea of your route across the UP I can maybe give you a few things to check out.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Regarding Drummond Island camping - In addition to campgrounds, you can disperse camp on State Land on Drummond Island or anywhere in the State of MI. There are dispersed camping permits available thru the MDNR website and regulations on where (or where you are not allowed) to disperse camp. Basically, specifies on State Land and how far from water's edge and from established campgrounds.

There are tons of "off the beaten path" places in the UP to check out, but not many that can't be Googled anymore. Fiborn Quarry and Karst caves come to mind near Trout Lake since you mentioned the Drummond Island area. If you have an idea of your route across the UP I can maybe give you a few things to check out.

I don't have much of a route planned out other than just Superior to St Ignace. That's why I'm looking for points of interest, because those are what I'll build a route off of. Almost anything can technically be found on Google, it's just a matter of what hits the search algorithms first and what do you need to know specifically to search for in order to find it.

Fiborn Karst Preserve, I like that. It's been added to the map. Thanks!

I can say we'll likely end up on the Keweenaw. My dad was a Coastie stationed in Houghton/Hancock. Was looking at maybe taking the Seven Hour Plane Crash trail up there. We will also spend some time near Grand Marais and the northern shoreline.


I do have a few things on the map like Kitch-iti-kipi, Fayette Ghost Town, Bond Falls... but these are still established tourist spots. I'm looking for more of the middle of nowhere, left alone and not built up locations (if there are any). When you head out west, theres all sorts of things to see. Abandoned settlements, old mines, cool natural formations, and you can find out about them on by searching if you know what to look for, but they are otherwise relatively left alone. No parking lots, no visitor centers, no crowds. Might be marked trails to them and might be listed in a register somewhere.

 

[46flattie]

I'll keep adding as I have time and think of things....

McCormick Wilderness Tract is cool - has basically 2 established hiking trails in it. One is in the SW corner and goes to White Deer Lake. The second is out of the NE corner of the tract and goes to the Yellow Dog Falls. Both are great hikes and fairly remote. There are another set of Yellow Dog falls that are easier to access off of Co. Rd. 510 (Marquette area)

Keweenaw area:
Redridge Dam
Freda Stamp Mill ruins (this may be on private land and may not be accessible anymore, the UP is slowly, but surely losing the "Wild, wild west" freedom)

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

You're eventually taking the bridge to the lower peninsula?

If so and you're hungry, we love Clyde's Place. About 5 miles south of the bridge. Little dive bar with great food. The pizza is awesome.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

You're eventually taking the bridge to the lower peninsula?

If so and you're hungry, we love Clyde's Place. About 5 miles south of the bridge. Little dive bar with great food. The pizza is awesome.

We haven't discussed if we will cross the bridge yet. If we do I'll keep this in mind for a place to stop, thanks!.

Sponsored