The Best Guided Tours in the UP
Sometimes it can be more fun to have the experts show you around the UP rather than going it alone. The good news is there are some fantastic locals who will do just that!
If a guided adventure sounds like your kind of thing, here's some of our favorite picks we recommend that you consider during your stay at Trails End.
Michigan State Park Nature Programs
Nature programs are offered during the summer at two state parks within an hour of Trails End - Muskallonge State Park & Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Great for kids and teens particularly, you can join a park ranger on nature tours showing various aspects of the plants and wildlife in the parks. The schedule changes each summer and can be accessed on the linked page above.
Upper Peninsula Guided Tours (A Variety of Fun Tours)
These folks do it all - half day or full day tours doing things like waterfalls (including "hidden" waterfalls that many locals don't even know about!), Yooperlite hunting (if you don't know about these yet, check out our page here on Yooperlites, a special glowing rock found almost exclusively in the UP), and will take you to hike some of the highest peaks here as well. They've even got a "Little Yooper Tour" for first timers!
Kayak & Canoe Guided Tours on the Tahquamenon River
Some nice, easy guided paddling on the river is found about 12 miles north of Newberry on the Tahquamenon river. They offer different trips each year, but usually a longer one and a shorter one. The shorter ones are suitable for young children too. Be sure to call at least a day in advance.
A highlight for many is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising (just 55 minutes away from Trails End), and a cruise is a wonderful way to see them. Pictured Rocks Cruises offers at least 4 different 2-2.5 hours boat tours along the shore line into Lake Superior. To ensure you'll get tickets, it's best to book at least a few days in advance on their site during the peak summer season.
Guided Sunset Hike at Pictured Rocks
The Hiawatha Hiking Company offers this stunning 2.5 mile (total - 1.25 miles each way), 3 hour hike to watch the sunset over Lake Superior. This is a great hiking alternative for those who don't want to do the sunset cruise at Pictured Rocks.
Tahquamenon Falls Train and River Boat Tours (TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2024)
This outfit has a few different options to tour the Tahquamenon Falls and Soo Junction areas including train rides (one of which includes a view of the falls) or river boat tours to view the falls as well. These are typically around $50 per person and can make a fantastic day trip for those individuals, couples, or families who want more of a guided wilderness experience. Note that these tours are usually full day tours (5+ hours).
These tours leave from their base in Soo Junction, MI, about 40 minutes drive from Trails End Resort.
Nature's Kennel Guided Dog Sledding Trips (Winter Only)
Ok, this is a unique one. Spend a day, 10 or 20 miles, or even an overnight trip, mushing sled dogs across the UP! Suitable for all ages. You can even choose to be a driver or a rider (must be 10 and up to drive your own team). And it all starts in McMillan, just 25 minutes from Trails End Resort.
See what's available for you next stay at Trails End on the Big Manistique Lake!
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