For travelers looking to truly escape the crowds and experience the raw, untamed beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Point Abbaye Natural Area is the ultimate hidden gem. Located at the very tip of the Abbaye Peninsula jutting out into Lake Superior, reaching this remote county park requires a slow, bumpy journey down an 11-mile dirt two-track road—but the reward at the end is absolutely unmatched.
While we were staying at Keweenaw Land Trust Cabins we found out that Point Abbaye was nearby and decided to check it out.
Below are a couple of videos that we took while visiting.
🚶♂️ The Trails & The Sweetest Summer Treats
From the parking area, you’ll find a small network of short, rustic hiking trails (including the popular Tip Trail) that meander through a thick, beautiful boreal forest. The main path takes a gentle 15 to 20 minutes to walk, making it highly accessible despite being deep in the wilderness. There were some cook sights to see such as tree and rock formations along the way. The trail leads directly to Lake Superior.
Along the trail there are picnic tables to stop and take a break and enjoy yourselves.
If you visit during late July or August, you are in for a rare Upper Peninsula treat: the trails are heavily lined with wild, lush thimbleberry bushes. These thornless plants sport giant, fuzzy, maple-shaped leaves and yield bright red, tartly sweet berries that taste like an intense, premium raspberry. Foraging for a handful while you walk makes the hike incredibly magical.
The forest path eventually opens up dramatically to massive, flat sandstone rock shelves where you can stand and watch the powerful waves of Lake Superior crash against the shore, offering stunning panoramic views of the distant Huron Islands and Huron Mountains.
You can see how the rocks along the shore have been transformed from the constant beating of Lake Superior.
🍔 Park Amenities: Campfires, Picnics, and Practicalities
Right at the entrance an outhouse, picnic area, and grills were available for use. I was surprised to find out that rustic campsites were available. At the time of this writing, campsites cost $15/night.
While Point Abbaye feels like the edge of the world, the county park offers just enough rustic infrastructure to make it the perfect spot to spend the day:
- Picnic Areas & Grills: Dotted near the trailhead and grassy clearing are rustic picnic tables and charcoal grills. It’s highly recommended to pack a lunch, fire up some charcoal, and enjoy a lakeside cookout surrounded by the sounds of the water.
- The Outhouses: Yes, there are public restrooms available! The park features rustic vault toilets (outhouses) right near the main parking area, allowing you to comfortably enjoy a remote day trip without completely roughing it.
- Rustic Camping: For those looking to extend their stay under the stars, the park accommodates a small number of rustic, first-come, first-served overnight campsites.
Know Before You Go: Because of its isolated location, there is no running drinking water or electricity here, so be sure to bring plenty of your own fresh water, bug spray (the black flies can be intense near the water in early summer), and sturdy shoes for walking on the slippery sandstone ledge.
You can read more about the trail and camping at Point Abbaye by reading our trails blog post.
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