Bride and groom kiss during a picnic at their Upper Peninsula Elopement in Michigan — Styled by Tami Perez

Getting the most out of “Pure Michigan” is best done in the state’s northern wilderness areas. If you crave the best the state has to offer, check out eloping in the Upper Peninsula! Keep in mind the best time of year to elope up north is between late May and early October. The rest of the year is very wet, snowy, dark and cold.

All these locations are ideal for hiking, watersports, wildlife viewing and enjoying dense forests and rocky beaches.

This location guide is a deep dive into the best locations for your Michigan Upper Peninsula elopement only. For locations around the rest of the state, visit this ultimate list here:

9 incredible places to elope in Michigan’s upper peninsula wilderness areas

Hiawatha National Forest

Between Munising and Manistique, MI

The Hiawatha National forest is in the eastern portion of Michigan's upper peninsula. It touches 3 of the 5 great lakes: Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

Key features: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (seebelow), shores touching 3 of the 5 great lakes, sea stacks, sea arches, waterfalls, camping, water sports, historic lighthouses,

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Munising, MI

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is maybe Michigan’s most impressive wilderness area. It is known for its scenic cliffs and rock formations, cascading waterfalls, hiking trails and not least, it’s situation on the coast of Lake Superior.

The park stretches a total of 42 miles down the Superior coast beginning at the city of at Munising, Michigan. 15 of those miles are sheer cliffs pocketed by sea caves and coves.

Boating or kayaking along this stretch of water lets you explore its beauty up close. Many guided tours are available so you and your group can sit back and cruise. Camping is popular as well, and you can rent cabins or stay in more luxurious lodges and resorts.

Key locations and features: best views along the Superior shoreline, Lakeshore Trail, Chapel Rock, Lover’s Leap, Miners Falls, Munising Falls, Chapel Falls, fall colors against Superior’s turquoise waters

Isle Royale National Park

Keweenaw County, MI

Isle Royale is an isolated archipelago 56 miles from the mainland in the middle of Lake Superior. This makes it the very northernmost part of Michigan, and therefore one of the very northernmost parts of the continental U.S. It’s roughly 45 miles long and 9 miles wide with 200+ sq. miles of virgin backcountry.

It’s a truly remote, truly unique place to elope in Michigan. It is entirely disconnected from the mainland communities and a place for immersive wilderness.

There are over 100 miles of hiking trails, inland lakes and rocky beaches. The island is also home to a diverse range of large wildlife, such as wolves, moose, foxes, otters and large birds.

Key features: backcountry, remote, rugged, Greenstone Ridge Trail, fishing and kayaking, Lookout Louise, Mount Ojibway Tower, Rock Harbor Lodge

Ottawa National Forest

Bruce Crossing, MI

If you elope up north in Michigan, it’s likely you’ll end up in some portion of the Ottawa National Forest. It covers an impressive 900,000+ acres of remote forests, waterfalls and rivers. It’s also close to the state border with Wisconsin and only a few hours drive from Duluth, MN. This makes it ideal for those coming from out of state.

Just like the rest of upper Michigan, this massive swath of wilderness is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, boating and backcountry exploring.

Most notably within the national forest is the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Sylvania Wilderness.

Key features: Porcupine Mountains (see below), Sylvania Wilderness (see below), 18 waterfalls including Bond Falls, wildlife viewing, hiking and the Sylvania Wilderness area, Black River Scenic Byway, Mirror Lake, Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, McCormick Wilderness

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - “The Porkies”

Close to the WI border, between Duluth, MN and Marquette, MI

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a subsection of the Ottawa National Forest in northern Michigan. It lies on the Lake Superior Coast, and is actually Michigan’s largest state park with 60,000 acres of untouched forest. Included in that is a swatch of old growth forests and miles of sparkling Lake Superior shoreline.

It’s a remote location with the largest nearby City being Duluth, Minnesota at 3 hours away to the west. Backcountry exploration and hiking is popular here, although the park contains many modern campsites as well.

It’s also conveniently located for those coming over from Wisconsin or Minnesota.

Key locations and features: close to Wisconsin and Minnesota, Summit Peak, views of Lake Superior, old growth forests, Escarpment Trail, Lake Superior Trail, Government Peak Trail, Bond Falls, Manabezho Falls, Mirror Lake, fall colors

Sylvania Wilderness

Watersmeet, MI

The Sylvania Wilderness covers 18,300+ acres of protected land within the Ottawa National Forest. There are 34 named lakes spanning an area populated by thriving plant and animal life, including bald eagles, rare orchid species, loons and osprey.

Key locations and features: Clark Lake, Crooked Lake, Loon Lake, the Dark Sky Preserve, right near Wisconsin border, ideal for non-motorized water sports, wildlife viewing, fishing and old growth forest

Where to stay: Wilderness Bay Lodge and Resort, Thousand Island Lake Resort, Sylvania Wilderness Cabins

Presque Isle Park (not to be confused with Presque Isle State Park near Erie, PA)

Marquette County, MI

Marquette is a beautiful and historic town along Lake Superior and a great location for an elopement. Closeby is the Presque Isle Park at the northern edge of the city. This is where the famous Black Rocks cliff jumping point is - but please only attempt it on sunny, calm days!

You can elope here on the beach at sunset, overlooking the deep green and blue waters of Lake Superior, and then grab a private dinner in Marquette.

Key features: Sugarloaf Mountain hike, Black Rocks cliff jump, Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, Breakwall walkway, the Bog Walk

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Paradise, MI

The Tahquamenon River flows through this park and cascades down two sets of waterfalls. The Upper Falls are actually one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. It’s roughly 200 feet wide and drops 50 feet to the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls make up a larger area of rapids great for swimming and rafting.

The river and falls are known for their unique amber color, which is caused by the tannins in the decaying vegetation in the dense surrounding forests. It’s most impressive to see in autumn, when the trees change color and turn the entire area golden and red.

No matter where you choose to elope up north in Michigan, viewing the falls during your trip is a must!

Key locations and features: the Upper Falls and Lower Falls, old growth Hemlock forest, River Trail, North Country Trail