The most breathtaking natural spots in Michigan, according to Michiganders

These reader-recommended spots deserve a spot on any Michigan traveler’s bucket list.

Michigan is truly a nature-lovers paradise, with more than 3,300 miles of Great Lakes shoreline—the longest freshwater coastline in the US—and 10,899 inland lakes. While in Michigan, you’re also never more than a half-hour away from a state park, state forest campground, or state trail system.

All that to say, there is an abundance of beautiful natural spots in the state.

We recently asked ‘Gander readers what they thought were the most breathtaking natural areas in Michigan and have rounded up the top answers.

#7 Arcadia Overlook

M-22, Arcadia, MI 49613

(Image via NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)

Arcadia Overlook, (also known as “Inspiration Point”), is nestled along the scenic M-22 highway in West Michigan.

While the nearby town of Arcadia sits right at sea level, you’ll quickly feel your ears pop as you drive up to the Arcadia Overlook parking area, according to the Manistee County Tourism Authority.

Once there, a short climb up a 120-step staircase will lead you to one of the most stunning views of Lake Michigan that you can find in the state.

Best of all, one reader highlighted, is the site’s accessibility.

“My parents could still enjoy it into their late 80s when their mobility issues only permitted them to walk a few yards away from a car. It’s so important for people of all ages and abilities to have access to nature and natural beauty,” ‘Gander reader Diane Dupuis said.

#6 Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Luce County, Michigan

(Image via Kenneth_Keifer/Canva)

Michigan’s second-largest state park, Tahquamenon Falls, is a stunning display of nature’s power and beauty. Known affectionately by locals as “Root Beer Falls” due to the rich, amber hue of the water, these falls are a true gem. The Upper Falls stretch over 200 feet across and feature a breathtaking drop of nearly 50 feet.

A short journey downstream reveals the Lower Falls, where five smaller waterfalls dance around a small island, offering a serene experience.

Located within Tahquamenon Falls State Park, between the charming towns of Newberry and Paradise, the falls are a year-round destination., Whether cloaked in the vibrant colors of autumn or the icy elegance of winter, they captivate visitors as the sights change through the seasons.

#5 Kitch-iti-kipi

Palms Book State Park, Thompson Township, Michigan

(Image via Paul Massie Photography/Canva)

Kitch-iti-kipi is the state’s largest freshwater spring, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The oval-shaped spring measures 300 by 175 feet and is 40 feet deep with a green bottom. With a kaleidoscopic effect of constantly changing shapes and forms, it’s one of Michigan’s most captivating bodies of water, featuring a kaleidoscopic effect of constantly changing shapes and forms.

#4 Brockway Mountain Drive

Keweenaw County, Michigan

(Image via Lane Alholinna/Canva)

Brockway offers a stunning 9.5-mile drive that takes you through some of the most breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the vast, rolling landscapes of the Keweenaw. As the highest drive above sea level between the Rockies and the Alleghenies, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Plus, it’s an official Michigan Wildlife Viewing Area, making it the perfect spot to witness the incredible migration of birds of prey from mid-April to mid-June.

#3 Lake of the Clouds

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon County, Michigan

(Image via groveb/Canva)

Surrounded by lush forests and dramatic cliffs, witnessing Lake of the Clouds in person is an unforgettable experience.

Located within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the site boasts a view that changes with the seasons. According to the Porcupine Mountains Ontonagon Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, “in late spring and summer, the valley below is bathed in emerald green of old-growth forest, and in the fall, the trees burst into a fiery palette of oranges, yellows, and reds.”

The lake is a popular destination for hikers and campers and is one of the most photographed locations in the entire Upper Peninsula. The state park also occasionally hosts a nighttime sky watch at the lake.

#2 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Benzie & Leelanau counties, Michigan

(Image via doug4537/Canva)

Named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” on ABC’s Good Morning America in 2011, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a stunning treasure that spans 35 miles of pristine coastline along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan.

This park is a haven for nature lovers, with stunning dune formations, lush forests, serene beaches, and ancient glacial landscapes.

Whether you’re climbing the towering dunes, hiking scenic trails, or exploring the area by water, Sleeping Bear has something for everyone. The park is also huge, spanning over 71,199 acres.

#1 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Alger County, Michigan

(Image via simplycmb/Canva)

Our readers’ most frequently mentioned location by a wide margin is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Pictured Rocks tower 50 to 200 feet directly from Lake Superior and stretch for about 15 miles along the lakeshore. The highlight of Pictured Rocks are, as the name implies, weather-sculpted cliffs that produce a wide range of colors, from deep reds to striking blues that can be seen up-close via kayak.

Off the water, Pictured Rocks also offers 12 miles of beautiful beaches, nearly five miles of enormous sand dunes, several waterfalls, and lighthouses across more than 100 miles of trails. Like other spots on this list, the park is open year-round and offers a different experience depending on the season.