lake michigan circle tour motorcycle route

There are two ways to tackle this 900-mile, 14.5-hour drive. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Southwest of Sturgeon Bay, the tour continues southwesterly via STH-57 into Green Bay. Back between two fir forests, a lull in the incessant rain drew us down a sandy service road in search of something new to look at. I wondered if you have a map of this tour? Ive ridden in rain before. Drive 2 hours from Traverse City over to Mackinaw City. Chicago Summer Activities: The 21 Best Things to Eat, See, and Do, Winter in Chicago: The Best Things to Eat, See, and Do. Just when we thought we were home free, a last second decision to change ferrys added a hundred more miles to our final tour day and brought us into Muskegon, MI well after dark. I highly recommend Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat Park, the wineries on Traverse Bay, and the trip back in time on Mackinaw Island! A storm was on the way, and the entire town of Green Bay knew it. The city is well known for itscraft breweries. Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Premium trial subscription. (least kid-friendly activities). And with that, youre headed to Manitowoc, home to the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes, and where you can hop aboard the ferry back to Ludington. Driving through the Tunnel of Trees along Lake MIchigan north of Harbor Springs (and lunch or dinner at Legs Inn in Cross Village on a shelf overlooking the lake.) M-22 is a 116-mile stretch of road that winds through the scenic countryside of Manistee, Benzie and Leelanlau counties. Your email address will not be published. There are several opinions as to the best time of the year to take the Circle Tour, as well as which direction to travel; thru Michigan first and back around through Wisconsin or clockwise heading along the lakes west coast first. MatthewC65. If you would like to join our guided tour of Lake Michigan we are reserving spots now. https://www.wmta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Lighthouse-Map-for-Web-2018.pdf. One day, roast marshmallows at a remote campsite . Hmm maybe both. Break it into two separate tripsthe north loop and the south loop. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour covers approximately 950 miles and puts you in the saddle with about 15 hours of (continuous) riding. The Indiana Dunes National Park takes up 15 miles of shoreline around Lake Michigan and features a unique ecosystem with lots of native birds and plants. A weekend and holiday playground for Milwaukee and Chicago residents, youll find quaint shops, wineries, restaurants, pretty campgrounds and more on this peninsula. I would like a paper map, how do I get one? Between Mackinaw City and St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Touris jointed by the Lake Huron Circle Tour. Only 60 miles east of the bustling Duluth waterfront, Bark Bay, Wisconsin, provides a serene escape. Dotting the shoreline on both sides of the lake, each preserved to showcase their unique charm and architectural significance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. It was now mid-October, and we had just four free days. In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba. Just 100 more miles to St. Ignace. All efforts to plan were met with obnoxious retorts akin to, just grab a backpack, get a bike, and stop worrying. So I did. Motorcycle route United States Cook lake michigan circle tour. The Dunes Highway continues on to Michigan City (which is actually in Indiana), then into the Great Lakes State. Touristy, sure, but I adore any place where no cars are allowed (heres my travel guide to the island). While there is no wrong answer, few will argue that the September-October season is the most inspiring time to make the trip; providing a glimpse of the changing colors of Fall and the promise of almost perfect riding weather. Hanging out in Chicago. Route 137 joins Lakeshore Drive (US-41), taking you past the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium. Either way, facing death for hours on end really cheapens the thrill. The blue waters adjacent to the dunes are so crystal clear, you can actually view a wreckage of three ships that sunk on November 11, 1940. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. From the get-go I joked that my BMW R 1200 GS made me look like an adventure dad. In St Joseph, the Lake Michigan Circle Tourcontinues northerly on M-63 into northern Berrien Co. At the nothern terminus of M-63, the circle tour proceeds northerly on I-196/US-31 toward South Haven. Lake Michigan Circle Tour. I love the city, but its probably not the best place to visit on this driving tour. Built in 1874, this lighthouse is a great place to take in the grandeur of Lake Michigan and the surrounding sand dunes. Evolution Of A Two-Stroke Beast, Pucker Up: Unexpected Changes In Road Surface, Track Day At COTA, Circuit Of The Americas. Once youve gotten enough beach time, drive 1 hour and 40 minutes along the Dunes Highway to Holland, a city in the state of Michigan. That sounds like an awesome trip! Dig into these great stories and get inspired for your next Wisconsin vacation. Fall is an excellent time to visit this National Parkyoull still be able to take in its magnificence, but without all the crowds. Our Lake Michigan Circle Tour ride took five days instead of four. Start planning as far in advance as possible six months if you're planning to camp over weekends in Michigan beach parks, 11 months in Wisconsin parks. From Mackinaw City, youll cross the The Mighty Mac, the 10th largest over water suspension bridge in the world. In Michigan, the Lake Superior Circle Tour ( LSCT) runs from the state line at Ironwood to Sault Ste. Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Bridgeport/Frankenmuth. From Sleeping Bear Dunes, drive 45 minutes to Traverse City. Experience the beauty of Lake Michigan and scenic locales in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois including two nights on Mackinac Island. In northern metropolitan Milwaukee, the LMCT joins I-43/STH-32/STH-57 heading northerly into Ozaukee Co. At Grafton, the tour departs I-43 to remain on STH-32 and continues through Port Washington. For many, the Circle Tour is an opportunity to seek out an unrivaled collection of historical LIGHTHOUSES. http://www.historyillinois.org/HistoricalMarkers.aspx End your week-long trip right where you started the Windy City, one of the greatest big cities in the world! Simply leave your camper or RV on the mainland and head over for the day or even overnight. A 45-minute drive from Inspiration Point will bring you the main attraction of the day, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. For getting to Tortilla Flat from Yuma, follow W 19 th St and S 4 th Ave to the US- 95N/W 16 th St. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can also visit the: State of Michigan Historical Markers web site for additional places to visit: Mackinac Island was founded in 1780 and occasionally, it seems like time has stopped completely. At Exit 47, route signage indicates that the circle tour exits US-31 and loops through downtown Holland following the former route of BUS US-31/BL I-196. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. This 1,300 mile/2,000 km ride around Lake Superior is an amazing adventure when travelling on motorcycle. Along with the primary Circle Tour route, several marked Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops have been posted using white-on-brown signs. As a Chicago area motorcycle rider we are always looking for new routes & tours that will give us the most bang for the buckor as we like to say; the most smiles for the miles. From Chicago, drive 45 minutes over the state line to the Indiana Dunes. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, so spend your afternoon doing whatever sounds the most fun. Tunnel Of Trees, Mackinac Bridge & The U.P. 6 McR Points. Our final morning brought about temps in the low thirties, and after that didnt thwart us, endless lane splitting nearly did. Exploring Lake Michigan's scenic shoreline by motorcycle. Along Lake Michigan, state and county parks, major cities and harbor towns dot the freshwater coastline. Continue the tour by heading north out of LUDINGTON along US-31 and into the Victorian Port of Manistee. Therefore, the new de facto route for the circle tour continues northerly past Holland via the US-31 bypass. Scenic Routes; Motorcycle Rides; Events & Festivals; Circle Michigan Foundation. Have fun on the road! The origin of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour dates back to 1988 and a combined marketing effort led by governors from both Michigan and Indiana. The route leaves I-196/US-31 at Exit 18 and loops through South Haven using BL I-196. The route of the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tourin Michigan follows signed state trunkline routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. Lake Michigan Circle Tour Sightseeing & Stops. I saw your comment and was wondering if you had any additional suggestions/tips for camping. Crossing the Straits of. Before leaving Door County, stop in Sturgeon Bay, a ship-building hub, and visit must-see attractions, like theDoor County Maritime Museum,Door Peninsula Wineryand Cave Point County Park. Fifteen minutes north of Pentwater, youll be in Ludington, where you may catch the ferry back to Manitowoc. In Wisconsin, the mainline of the Lake Michigan Circle Tourfollows signed state highway routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. Try this link. Chase Car Ready, Milwaukee Packout Tool Storage, Choose Your Motorcycle Transport Service Wisely, Velocity Philosophy (A Mannerly Guide To Speed), Green Meanie! My near neon orange coat has long been a standby. The S.S. Badger docks on the Michigan side in the town of Ludington. Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. Youre in wine country now sampling some locally-produced bottles is a must today! On day 6 of our Lake Michigan circle itinerary, youll cross into our fourth and final state Wisconsin. There are several camping options in the area, including Duck Creek RV Resort, which is across the street from Michigans Adventure. Kayaking and canoeing are also great ways to explore the lake. One more trip to Walmart brought about a tough decision: Real Tree or Mossy Oak. Yeah, sure, in hindsight its easy to find a few holes in that logic, but when screaming T. Swift into your helmet is the only thing keeping your mind off how absolutely horrible the current conditions areand even that's not cutting itdancing with death is only a step away. In fact, no matter where you are in Wisconsin, this happens every single Friday. You may find the best memories are the ones you never expected. Look to ride my motorcycle around Lake Michigan this week, leaving Chicago Tuesday, staying away three nights. Read on for a detailed 7-day Lake Michigan circle road trip itinerary! This was the unsolicited advice we received as we mounted our bikes on the morning of day two. Route: Buckle up for your nearly five-hour ride to what many call The North Coast (tacking on an hour for Eastern Standard Time), following I-90 E all the way. On the east side of South Haven, where BL I-196 ends at I-196/US-31 Exit 20, the route continues north into Allegan Co on I-196/US-31. Find all of Rider 's Michigan motorcycle travel features here. Youll find the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route below. In these areas, the LMCT follows the route of Sheridan Rd very closely. When you get to Mackinaw City, youll need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island (pronounced like Mack-i-naw). Here's a nine-day, eight-night Circle Tour of Lake Michigan that takes in the highlights. Today the lights are automated and guide fishing boats and other pleasure craft to safety. And Nick, well, he felt the same. While your bike isn't a boat, you can still capture some great photos. Here's an idea of what the weather in this area is like to help get your planning started! If weather permits, stretch your legs along the sandy shoreline, or hike the West Beach Dune Succession Trail and boardwalk. From Glen Arbor, the circle tour continues northerly on M-22 through Leland to Northport. The route leaves US-12 and continues northerly on I-94 from Exit 4 toward St Joseph. Upgrade now. The shoreline of the Upper Peninsula is a glorious piece of . Follow the tour thru Green Bay and the route curves up into the scenic and interesting DOOR PENINSULA, a popular tourist destination often referred to as The Cape Cod of the Midwest and home to numerous lighthouses. Old Mans Graveyard Road read the sign. Sign-up for our email newsletter & receive a free copy of our West Michigan Travel Guide! Most of the suggestions Ive listed are outdoors and/or free which is awesome! Sign up for our WMTA Travel Newsletter. Tour the area waterfalls before crossing into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Think fried cod or perch served with tartar sauce, potato pancakes, apple sauce and coleslaw. Also, since theres a lot to do here, I think it warrants more time and thus a separate visit. Please wait, your print is being prepared. Any recommendations for best roads / sights along way? My husband and I took a weeks vacation to drive around Lake Michigan a number of years ago stopping and staying in many of the lakeside towns along the way. Motorcycle Rides & Roads Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour Ride Rating: 0 Vote it Up Vote it Down Ride Stats: Distance: 477.84 miles / 769.0 km Ride Time: 1 week (5-7 days) Approximate Fuel Costs: $36.32 States Visited: Wisconsin, Michigan Submitted by: GrayFox pro Turn by Turn Directions Download for GPS (GPX file) Download KML file (File/WWMT) COLDWATER, Mich. The Michigan Department of Transportation is expected to start a $2.4 million project May 1, just west of downtown Coldwater . You can also add or remove days based on how much time you have. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Celebrate the father figures in your life with good food, special events, outdoor adventures, fishing trips, golf outings, and more throughout West Michigan. The envisioned "Tri-Modal Corridor" would . Nick being Nick, owned zero rain gear until eight miles prior. (Side note: It was right about here when I realized by bike in fact came equipped with heated gripsa feature that would have been REALLY nice to know of just 20 hours earlier.). This pair welcomes charter fishing and leisure boats, guiding them into the busy harbor. What most miss (traveling by car) is the heighten sense of appreciation that only can be felt by touring this region on a motorcycle. Required fields are marked *. Sleeping Bear is definitely on the list already. It was named the Apache Trail after the Native American Indians who originally used this trail to migrate through the Superstition Mountains for over 1,000 years.

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