Michigan’s roadside parks offer convenient and scenic pit stops for those making a road trip this summer.
“Michigan has many great attractions, including roadside parks and scenic views. Explore these hidden treasures located mostly on rural state highways and enjoy the splendor of Michigan,” Michigan’s Department of Transportation said.
MDOT operates and maintains 85 roadside parks along Michigan’s highways, with some near a waterfall or only a steps from a Great Lake.
Here are a few roadside parks in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to note when planning for summer travels:
How can I find a roadside park in Michigan?
Statewide, MDOT maintains 85 roadside parks in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To plan a road trip, MDOT provides an interactive online map of all the roadside parks. The green circle icon indicates a park that is open; while the red icon means that park is closed.
Which Northern Michigan and U.P. roadside parks are near the Great Lakes?
Here are some roadside parks in northeast Michigan along U.S. 23, overlooking Lake Huron:
For a closer look at Lake Michigan’s shore, here are some roadside parks in the northwest region:
In the Upper Peninsula, here are roadside parks that make it easy to take a break near Lake Superior:
Are any Northern Michigan roadside parks closed in summer 2025?
In Northern Michigan, MDOT has one roadside park under a closed status for construction purposes. In Iosco County, the East Branch Au Gres River Roadside Park on M-55 is closed for 2025 due to a bridge replacement project.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Pit stops with a view: Northern Michigan, U.P. roadside parks offer scenic surroundings
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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