There’s no need to travel all the way to Iceland or Alaska (although I really would love too). Did you know that Michigan has some prime areas to view the northern lights? Cliffs, beaches, and forest give way to some of the darkest skies you can find in the area. Miles of unobstructed view over Lake Superior coupled with minimal light pollution provide the perfect backdrop to glimpse the phenomenon.
These trails follow or are very near Lake Superior. They all will provide areas to view the unobstructed sky.
Presque Isle Park Loop
2.2 mile loop
Easy
This trail is short but stunning. You’ll follow the mostly paved path around Lake Superior around Presque Park until you find your perfect viewing spot. There’s a lot of them!
Be sure to check out the very nearby cliffs (unpaved) for more exploration.
Shoreline Trail from Wetmore Landing
3.6 mile out and back
Easy
Located at the Escanaba River State Forest near Marquette, Michigan, this trail offers scenery and beach areas. What better place to try to glimpse the northern lights than right by the water?
Beaver Lake Loop
9.2 mile loop
Moderate
Near Grand Marais, Michigan, Beaver Lake Loop is a double lake hike. It loops Beaver Lake while edging along Lake Superior. There are wooded portions of the trail as well as beach areas. This trail is beautiful throughout.
For northern light viewing, you can either hike the entire loop and find a view along Beaver Lake, or hike clockwise from the trailhead and find a viewing area on the shore of Lake Superior.
Grand Island Loop
21.2 Mile Loop
Hard
In Hiawatha National Forest near Munising, Michigan this 21.2 mile loop is perfect for backpackers trying to view the lights. If you’re not in the mood to hike the perimeter and just want to see the northern lights, there is a slightly shorter path through the island, passing Echo Lake.
It is recommended to avoid the middle of the island if possible, as the bugs are usually terrible.
There is a ferry to access the island, otherwise you will need a personal watercraft. During the summer the last ferry leaving the island was at 6PM. With the best viewing times for the northern lights being later, you should plan to camp overnight on the island. You can find out more information about the ferry by visiting here (grandislandup.com) and about camping on the island here (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hiawatha/recarea/?recid=13270)
Lake Shore Trail
40.5 mile point to point
Moderate
You will have to check this one out to believe it’s beauty. Also near Munising, Michigan, Lake Shore Trail features sand dunes, cliffs, rivers, hills, and beautiful Lake Superior vista. This trail really has it all!
Following the south shore of Lake Superior gives this trail plentiful northern light viewing areas along the entirety of the trail.
Note: The biting flies are notoriously bad here, especially during early June. Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray and possibly a head net.
According to Michigan Tech University, the best months for viewing the northern lights are April through October with October, November, and April being the best. Be sure to pack a blanket or your sleeping bag and get comfy for a night of skygazing!
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