Driving tours of the area
If you love to cruise along in the car or on a motorcycle, there are many scenic areas around St. Ignace that will satisfy you. The views of lakeshores, sky, fields, forest and picturesque villages are sure to bring memories of a lifetime. The roads we describe are all paved and well maintained year round.
Going North
Before the I-75 freeway was finished in 1960, the main road between St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie was the Mackinac Trail. It was also known as a north branch of US-2, a highway built across the northern tier of states from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific. The Mackinac Trail today is still a 55-mile paved highway with outstanding scenery through the Hiawatha National Forest. The trail begins at the north end of Business Loop I-75 in St. Ignace and runs north to Business Loop I-75 in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. It traverses Mackinac County for nearly 30 miles, then runs through Chippewa County for another 25 miles. The villages of Rudyard, Kinross, Dafter and Cottage Park are found along the way. Fall color in September and October are especially nice on this route through forests and fields.
Another scenic drive you could try would be up to Tahquamenon Falls. This drive starts in St. Ignace by going north on I-75 or Mackinac Trail for 8 miles. The beginning of M-123 is found at this intersection. This paved two-way highway runs north from the intersection for 55 miles all the way to Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior at Paradise. The road runs then turns west into the interior for 10 miles where you can visit the Tahquamenon River and Falls State Park. The highway continues southwest for another 33 miles through Newberry where it terminates at M-28. Going 27 miles east on this highway, you will again intersect with M-123 for the return to St. Ignace. Villages and towns along this loop include Moran, Ozark, Trout Lake, Eckerman, Paradise and Newberry. With the views of Lake Superior and the wild boreal forests all around, this is a ride you won’t want to miss.
Going East
Cruising the north shore of Lake Huron is a real pleasure on M-134. This paved highway begins 15 miles north of St. Ignace. You can get there on the freeway I-75 or on Mackinac Trail as both of these roads intersect there. M-134 runs from the highway intersections east for 41 miles to DeTour Village where you can continue on a car ferry to Drummond Island. The highway continues into the interior of the island. The views along this highway are spectacular and you can even see the Mackinac Bridge across the wide expanse of Lake Huron. A couple of villages along the way are Hessel and Cedarville, with the beautiful Les Cheneaux islands off shore. Many scenic turnouts are found along the way for picnicking, swimming, wading and stretching your legs. The wild shores are undeveloped for the most part and the birds and animals are wonderful to see.
Going West
The scenes along the north shore of Lake Michigan are another unique adventure in driving tours. US-2 begins in St. Ignace at the I-75 freeway just north of the Mackinac Bridge. A tour down this scenic highway starts with Mom-n-Pop businesses and unique attractions found nowhere else in Michigan. As you continue west the road veers toward the lakeshore where you begin to see across Lake Michigan to the lower peninsula. US-2 is a two-way highway and there are passing lanes spaced out along the way. Just 10 miles west of St. Ignace the road turns even closer to the lakeshore and sand dunes tumble down to the water. A wide open mile of the most beautiful beach is there for your enjoyment. You can stop and park along the shoulder and go for a swim in the warm, clear, clean waters of Pure Michigan. On a windy day the waves break long and white adding even more fun and beauty. A little further along the road the Cut River Gorge is crossed on a spectacular bridge. A picnic turnout offers a view of the bridge and paths to the bottom of the river gorge. The highway US-2 continues on west through the Upper Peninsula.