Top 10 Great Lake Views in Michigan
Where does someone who loves Michigan start with this list? I, for one, feel that every shoreline provides the next best view, but if we must get technical, then so be it. I think it's important to clarify that these are the best views in the state of Michigan of the GREAT LAKES, not just any lake. There is an extreme number of inland lakes within the state, and we would require an entirely different list to include them.
Here is a rundown of the best Great Lake views in Michigan, though not in any specific order.
1. Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore / Lake Michigan
This is a wonderful 1.5 miles hike that treks through the park's inner forest, leading a person to the top of the dunes with an entirely appropriate seat to rest on. The dunes are glorious in size, origin, and views. Offering some of the most moving visuals of the freshwater below, they have the power to capture someone's attention and steal it away into the realization of how small we indeed are. There is something so magnificent about looking down into the water, being as high in the air as the dunes take you to be, and seeing a seagull fly below you— or maybe if you are lucky, you will see the clouds at eye level.
2. Inspiration Point, Arcadia / Lake Michigan
Arcadia is a small town nestled into the pivots and hillsides of the more Northern region of Michigan. There are 120 steps down to the shoreline at this side-of-the-road attraction, or you can choose to look out over the bay for implied inspiration. As cliché as it may be, this location is actually very inspiring. The water's beauty is notable here more than the other sites in the area that provide the same sort of view. Why is this the case? It must be the ever-green infested foliage that frames the sea-green shading of where the lake touches the pebbled shoreline. The view is so natural it becomes entrancing. When seeking genuine inspiration with no time for the scenic hike, this is the viewpoint of Lake Michigan to stand in awe of.
3. Arch Rock, Mackinaw Island / Lake Michigan
Take the ferry to Mackinaw Island and embrace its holistic, historical culture while being dazzled by the fragments of light that bounce off the all-surrounding lake. If you by chance become beckoned to experience an astonishing view of Lake Michigan on the island, ensure that you make your way to the viewing platform for the well-known Arch Rock. This limestone arch formation is ultra-rare, and frames in the water's beautiful colors in ways that cannot be recreated.
Sunsets on the Lake 🌅
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Fun Fact: Lake Michigan sunsets are renowned for their vibrant colors, thanks to the clean air and expansive water surface reflecting the sky's brilliance—making them a must-see for visitors and locals alike!
Shimmering peach sheer nail polish that is inspired by Arch Rock, on Mackinac Island.
Arch Rock is one of the natural wonders of the Midwest and one of the most popular tourist attractions on Mackinac Island. It is a magnificent rock formation that stands at 146 feet above the water and is 50 feet wide.
As you approach the rock formation, the sight of it will take your breath away. The grandeur of the rock towering above the water, the way it has been carved by the forces of nature, and the way it contrasts with the blue of the lake and the sky, create a sense of wonder and amazement for all ages to enjoy while they visit the island.
(It was a little hard to navigate while waddling around pregnant, but fortunately there are horse carriage tours that bring you right to the top!)
4. Turnip Rock, Port Austin / Lake Huron
Turnip Rock is a wonder of the state, residing on Port Austin's shores in the body of Lake Huron. This rock has been eroded by the passing of time, coming into formation over a thousand years ago. The lake's view from a kayak near Turnip Rock is touching, as it leaves an impression on the essence of time. Imagine the water at all the levels it has rested against the rock formation. This perspective is a very reflective experience. There is also something fascinating about looking out across the horizon with no end in sight while casually floating in something as confiding as a kayak. The duality of circumstance is valuable to this view.
5. Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie / Lake Superior
This location is an antique of Michigan's history, built-in 1855 as a transition point between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The Soo Locks are a great place to admire the water and the shoreline while also appreciating the engineering that man creates when trying to mold ourselves into the tricky terrain that the Great Lakes provide. I find myself dazing off into a blur of land and water when I stare out at this view.
6. St. Joseph North Pier Outer Lighthouse / Lake Michigan
Embracing the waves is something that most Michigan residents want to say they have done. This location offers a spectacular Midwest themed view of Lake Michigan that allows a person to indulge in the wonderous waves as they smother the shore. This viewpoint is miraculous for its liveliness and simplicity all at once. If one were to follow the edge of the water, they would find themselves accompanied by the Warren Dunes to one side and Lake Michigan on the other. No better way to be immersed in the experience of the Great Lakes, if you ask me.
If you happen to be in the position to explore the area more, ensure that you branch out to other locations along the shoreline in Grand Haven. In the winter especially, this area is renowned for its incredible views and humbling landscape.
7. Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse / Lake Michigan
This location is captivating from various angles. A lighthouse propped against a radiant blue lake is always refreshing, but the walk-out fixture for this specific lighthouse is unique. The closeness it allows to the lake, the way the water sparkles in the sunlight, and the relic aesthetic that is presented upon the structure of the lighthouse itself; all of these things contribute to the experience one may have taking in this view. Looking out onto the horizon, there are few structures and landforms to latch an eye to. It is a reminder of how spectacular the freshwater oasis we live in really is.
Michigan Lighthouses 🌊
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Fun Fact: Michigan is home to over 120 lighthouses, earning it the title of the state with the most lighthouses in the U.S.! Most of them still active, these iconic structures guide ships safely through the Great Lakes, protecting Michigan’s rich maritime legacy. Point Betsie Lighthouse, located near Frankfort, Michigan, is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Built in 1858, this iconic structure marks the entrance to the treacherous Manitou Passage and has stood as a beacon of safety for Great Lakes mariners for over 160 years.
8. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore / Lake Superior
This is a have-to-see location for Lake Superior. Pictured Rocks is a National Lakeshore that is spoken of for its vividly colored sandstone cliffs and iconic views of Lake Superior. The waterfalls and hiking trails are only a fragment of the experience that Picture Rocks gives. The feral beaches that this lakeshore offers are unique to most other areas in the Upper Peninsula, during any season of the year. If you can, watch a sunset and enjoy the sounds of the water hitting the shore, taking back with it the sand and stones that may not reach dry land again in your lifetime. Lake Superior is by far one of the more mysterious lakes within the Great Lakes system. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a great place to embrace that.
9. Presque Isle Park, Marquette / Lake Superior
A stunning place for Michigan views, it has to be in this list. This 323-acre park is one of the most favored spots for Lake Superior views. In 1891 there was a visitor to Marquette from New York City. A man named Fredrick Olmsted, who had assisted with the designing of Central Park, made the note to the architects of Marquette not to touch the far north end of the peninsula. The exquisite beauty of the land formations in Presque Isle Park are jaw-dropping on their own. Adding in the backdrop of the prestigious blues of Lake Superior, and anyone would be inspired. If you happen to be visiting this site during the warmer months of the year, pack your swimsuit and some courage. There is a renowned jump from the Blackrock cliffs into the lake, dropping about 15 feet in the air. While not for the faint of heart, this experience is the icing to anyone’s cake trying to enjoy every aspect of the Great Lakes.
10. Keweenaw Peninsula / Lake Superior
There is no better place in the Upper Peninsula to get a breathtaking view of the sunsets off of the lake. The Keweenaw Peninsula is filled with old-growth forests, waterfalls, and the best views of Lake Superior. This beautiful location is surrounded by Lake Superior, making it the best spot in the state to enrich yourself with the deep blue hues of the lake. If you’re not feeling up for the hikes or piers but itching for the lake effect, check out one of the peninsulas scenic drives.
One of the many is the Brockway Mountain Drive, which is approximately 9.5 miles of pure Michigan, following alongside the shoreline for some of the broadest and most glorious sunsets that can be captured from Lake Superior. Another top-rated drive is the Sand Dune Drive, which is a part of M-26. Running between the Eagle River and Eagle Harbor, this drive showcases the lake areas that offer sandy beaches and soft waves. This is the best way to see the peninsula poking out of the landmass and reaching out over Lake Superiors' blue body.
What are your favorite Freshwater Views?
There is nothing better than a serene view over the Great Lakes. Whether you are exploring the Upper Peninsula and enjoying a bonfire by the water or vacationing in Grand Haven and appreciating the lighthouses' construction, the Great Lakes are memorable.
Once you've gotten your fix of the freshwater views, make sure to take a souvenir with you— even if you live in Michigan. Northern Nail Polish is a Michigan-based company that showcases locally themed, sustainable products. Their polishes include a wide assortment of Michigan orientated colors that are toxin-free, chip-resistant, and vegan. Whether you are in the mood for a subtle color like Up North or Great Lakes, Great Times, or something a bit more exciting like the silver shade of Soo Locks, they have it all. Don't stop appreciating the blue bays and rapid waves just because you're headed home— take a piece of Michigan with you where ever you go.
Great Lakes, Great Times 🌊
Celebrate the majestic beauty of Michigan’s Great Lakes with Great Lakes, Great Times, a deep navy blue shimmering polish that captures the essence of Michigan's iconic waterways. This captivating shade brings the serenity of the lakes right to your fingertips, reflecting the play of sunlight on the water's surface for a mesmerizing look.
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Fun Fact: Did you know the Great Lakes contain over 20% of the world’s fresh surface water? Together, they make up the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, offering endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and unforgettable sunsets.
