8 Most Scenic Drives in Michigan
Michigan is a place where backroads lead you past sand dunes, waterfalls, lighthouses, and forests that glow with color in every season. Some of the state's best views are found on drives that start in small towns and roll through landscapes you can't see from the interstate. The eight most scenic drives in Michigan are short enough to fit into a half day, but each one gives you a real taste of Michigan's beauty along the way.
M-119 Tunnel of Trees
The Tunnel of Trees on M-119 is one of Michigan's most famous scenic drives, and once you're on it, you'll see why. The road hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline, but instead of wide shoulders and fast lanes, you get a narrow two-lane road that twists and turns through a canopy of hardwoods. The trees grow so close to the road that they form a green tunnel in summer and a blazing, colorful one in the fall. You're not here to rush; this is a roll the windows down, slow-cruise kind of road, going over 20 miles, but lasting four hours with stops.
Along the way, it's worth pulling off at the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, where a short trail takes you to an overlook above the lake. Farther north, you'll see glimpses of hidden cottages and Lake Michigan amid the breaks in the trees, and quiet spots where you can park and stretch your legs. The drive ends in Cross Village, home to the quirky and legendary Legs Inn. The building is covered in driftwood and stonework, and the gardens are just as wild as the menu. Grabbing a Polish platter on the patio with Lake Michigan stretched out below you is the perfect way to finish the drive.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
The Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is short but packed with breathtaking views. This 7.5-mile loop winds through forests and dunes inside Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The road is curvy and shaded, with glimpses of Lake Michigan popping up between the trees. Even though the drive itself only takes about 30 minutes, you'll want to slow down and give it a couple of hours.
Along the drive, you can stop at overlooks that rival any in the Midwest. It starts with a covered bridge that adds a little charm, and picnic spots make it easy to take a break. The Lake Michigan Overlook is the highlight, where you can look straight down a 450-foot dune drop to the water. If you attempt to go down, beware that looks are deceiving, and it is extremely difficult to get back up. There are also short trails giving you more views of the dunes and forest, so it's worth stretching your legs instead of just rolling through.
US-41 Copper Country Drive
Heading north from Houghton, US-41 feels like a drive through the heart of the Upper Peninsula. The road slowly twists through dense forest, with sections where the trees form a canopy overhead. Make a short detour to Brockway Mountain, which has an 8.8-mile drive up to give you a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Superior and Copper Harbor. As you get closer to Lake Superior, the drive feels more rugged and remote. It's about 50 miles to Copper Harbor, but the slow curves and endless greenery make it a trip to savor, not speed through.
Stops along the way add even more character to this drive. Eagle River Falls is one of the many waterfalls right off the road, easy to see and photograph, especially in the spring when the water runs strong. Then there's the Jampot Bakery, run by monks who bake giant muffins, fruitcakes, and sell jars of wild berry jam. Once you reach Copper Harbor, you're at the edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula, where Lake Superior stretches out like an inland sea.
M-22 Leelanau Peninsula Loop
This 60-mile stretch of M-22 from Suttons Bay to Glen Arbor is "Pure Michigan's" finest. The road curves along vineyards, cherry orchards, and rolling countryside, with the lake never too far away. It's a leisurely drive where you can take in the peninsula at your own pace, with small towns and side roads waiting to be explored.
At the tip of the peninsula, Leelanau State Park offers a walk to the grand Traverse Lighthouse, standing guard over the bay since the 1850s. In Leland's Fishtown, you can wander among old fishing shacks turned into shops and restaurants, still perched on the docks as they were decades ago. Add in wineries, roadside farm stands, and beaches, and this route feels like the best of northern Michigan packed into a single afternoon.
River Road National Scenic Byway
The River Road Byway follows the Au Sable River for about 40 miles between Oscoda and Hale. The drive itself isn't long, just about an hour without stops, but it winds through dense forest with views that beg for a pause. The river curves alongside you, framed by rolling hills and pines, making this a quieter, more laid-back drive compared to the busy lake routes.
What makes it special are the overlooks and the history tied to the land. The Lumberman's Monument honors the loggers who worked here, with bronze statues standing above the river and trails leading down to the shore. Enjoy the Au Sable River all year round with its fall colors, canoeing and fishing during the summer, and snowy overlooks in the winter. At the Eagle's Nest Overlook, you can take in a panoramic sweep of the river valley and sometimes even spot bald eagles circling overhead. It's a drive that mixed history, nature, and solitude all in one.
M-22 Sleeping Bear to Frankfort Drive
This 30-mile section of M-22 is short, but it packs in some of the most striking views along Lake Michigan. From Glen Arbor to Frankfort, the road runs past dunes, forests, and open stretches of shoreline. It's the kind of drive where you keep pulling over, even though the whole route takes less than an hour without stops.
Two of the best detours are easy to reach. The Empire Bluff Trail is a mile-long hike, but the view over Lake Michigan and the dunes is unforgettable. Farther south, the Point Betsie Lighthouse stands tall at the water's edge, one of the most photographed in the state. Finish in Frankfort, where you can walk the pier, relax on the wide beach, and catch a sunset that lights up the horizon.
US-12 Heritage Trail
The US-12 Heritage Trail runs for about 210 miles across southern Michigan, from downtown Detroit west to New Buffalo near the Indiana border. Following the historic Sauk Trail route, it passes through small towns, such as Niles, Michigan, plus farmland, and historic sites. The portion of US-12 from Coldwater to Sturgis, like other segments of the trail, features quiet places that haven't changed much over the years. It's not about dramatic scenery, but about the laid-back pace you find on southern Michigan backroads. In Allen, you can wander the Allen Antique Barn, a two-story space packed with vintage treasures — reinforcing why the town is often called Michigan's "Antique Capital." Farther along in Sturgis, the historical museum is housed in the town’s restored 1895 railroad depot. Add in farm stands in summer and holiday lights in winter, and this stretch of road has its own kind of seasonal rhythm.
Hiawatha National Forest Shoreline Drive
From Munising to Grand Marais, this 50-mile route cuts through the Hiawatha National Forest with Lake Superior always nearby. The drive takes a little over an hour without stops, but you'll want at least three to four hours to enjoy the views. The road feels remote, surrounded by forest and open stretches of shoreline, making it a peaceful escape compared to busier tourist spots.
Along the way, there are some can't-miss sites. The Miners Castle Overlook gives you one of the best views of the Pictured Rocks cliffs from land, where rock formations stand tall above the blue water. Near the end of the route, Sable Falls is a short walk from the road, cascading down before meeting the shoreline. Together, the stops and the quiet scenic drive make this one of the Upper Peninsula's best-kept secrets.
Michigan's backroads have a way of turning a short drive into an adventure. From scenic routes along Lake Michigan's shoreline, like M-22 and the Tunnel of Trees, to quieter stretches through farmland and forest, each of these eight scenic drives shows off a different side of the state. None of them takes more than half a day, but every one gives you a reason to pull over, explore, and enjoy "Pure Michigan."
