Now that summer is in full swing, it is the perfect time to escape to the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to take ‘like-worthy’ Instagram photos or venture off the beaten path to explore, the Sault Ste. Marie area has you covered. Located near many national and state forests makes The Soo the destination for your next adventure off the beaten path. On your next Sault Ste. Marie trip check out these forests, parks and campsites near the Soo.

Hiawatha National Forest

The Hiawatha National Forest sprawls across the Eastern Upper Peninsula with nearly 900,000 acres,. The East Unit of the forest covers much of Chippewa and Mackinac County, and touches three of the Great Lakes.

One of the many highlights of the East Unit is the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, which is located just 30 short minutes west of Sault Ste. Marie. This is a must-see location if you haven’t visited the Eastern Upper Peninsula before. It’s also a great place to capture your first exploration of Lake Superior. Locals tip; The Big Pine Picnic Area is the best place to spot freighters on Lake Superior.

Looking for a rustic retreat? Monocle Lake, Soldier Lake and Three Lakes campgrounds are all located in the Hiawatha National Forest! For more on this National Forest and reasons why its one of the must-see places in the Eastern U.P. visit here

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

The Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses a total of 46,179 acres of land making it Michigan’s second-largest state park. It’s also the most popular state park in the Upper Peninsula and features close to 300 camping sites.

The park offers many season-dependent activities. In spring and summer, popular activities include hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching, sightseeing, and camping. The ultimate time for visiting is the picturesque fall season . The color change among the trees creates the perfect scenery for photography. Come wintertime, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. No matter the season, If you enjoy the idea of hiking, take the must-see four-mile trail down to the lower falls.

Also, at the park, there is a restaurant, gift shop, and their very own brewery and pub in one building. Open year-round but closed in late fall until early spring.

Brimley State Park

Established in 1923 and located just 15 minutes West of the Soo, Brimley State Park is a favorite for locals and visitors. This park offers facilities that are available for camping styles.  Whether you prefer to take-in all of nature or are more of a glamper – this park has you covered!

Spend an afternoon swimming Lake Superior, trying your luck at catching walleye off the shore or soak in some of the best sunsets in the whole Eastern Upper Peninsula – this park has it all.

We love seeing your pictures! If you have visited any of these or have your own favorite spot off the beaten path share your experiences on social media. Make sure to use the #ilovethesoo hashtag so we can see them and maybe even feature them in our next blog or social post! Don’t forget to on  FacebookInstagramPinterest and Twitter.