By mid-September, wisps of color much like an artist brush vibrantly appear along the many scenic routes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The colors tend to reach their peak the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. Great Lakes shorelines tend to fall a week later. The Paradise region has a lot of Great Lakes shorelines and two spectacular drives: the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway and the Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway.
The region is surrounded by the Michigan State Tahquamenon Falls Forest to the west, the National Hiawatha Forest to the south and to the north and east Lake Superior! Sugar maple, red maple, American Beech, white pine, red pine, northern white cedar, eastern larch/tamarack, and balsam fir abound in the region adding to the array of spectacular colors. Plan several days in the region to absorb the culture and atmosphere. Rushing from one point of interest to another doesn't give you a chance to truly experience Michigan's Paradise.
The state of Michigan has some 21 designated scenic highways.
Michigan State Route M-123 is the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway. It travels
through the Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls
State Forest. The designated scenic byway portion is 62 miles long,
begins (Eckerman) and ends (Newberry) on M-28.
There are many attractions along M -123: Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Two-Hearted River, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point Lighthouse, Crisp Point Lighthouse, Tahquamenon Logging Museum, Eckerman Pond, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Oswald's Bear Ranch, and Muskallonge Lake State Park. There many hiking trails, secondary roads for orv drives, and miles and miles of spectacular color.
The Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway runs along the southern shoreline of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay in a span of the Hiawatha National Forest. It is often referred to locally as Lakeshore Drive and the Curley Lewis Scenic Byway. You will not want to miss a stop at the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, the Big Pines Picnic Area, or the Naomikong Overlook which gives you a chance to connect to the North Country Scenic Trail.
The official route is 33 miles long but if you fully want to follow Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay, you must connect with M-123 (the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway) on the west end of the designated byway and travel north to Whitefish Point. There you will enjoy the stories and magic of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory and the Whitefish Point Unit of Seney Wildlife Preserve.
This region offers natural beauty, museums, lighthouses, forests, waterfalls, and history. We invite you to explore the region whether by car, foot or ORV and experience Michigan's Paradise.
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This travel information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members: Curley's Paradise Motel, Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Inn (Hotel), Paradise Shores Cabins, and Vagabond Motel.
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