Frankfort to Copper Harbor: The Best Northern Michigan Road Trip

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Some road trips speed by. This one asked us to slow down. We looped through Northern Michigan—starting in Frankfort and ending in Copper Harbor—without doubling back. Each place offered something different: wild shoreline, forest trails, quiet cafes, and local wine. We biked through trees on old rail lines. We stood barefoot on dunes and drank rosé on a hill. This trip gave us space to breathe and the time to notice what usually gets missed.

Table of Contents

• Frankfort
• Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Lake
• Traverse City
• Mackinac Island
• Copper Harbor
• Final Reflections
• Where We Stayed

Frankfort

Frankfort is the kind of town where you can actually hear yourself think. We strolled through shops and out to the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse, where waves crashed on both sides and the air smelled like lake water and driftwood.

At Crescent Bakery, the almond croissant nearly brought me to tears. We lingered there longer than we planned. Later, we sat under twinkling lights at Stormcloud Brewing Company, where the Belgian-style ale paired well with the breeze off Lake Michigan.

Before sunset, we walked down to Frankfort Beach. The light turned soft and gold. I stood in the sand and watched the sky fade.

Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Lake

We followed M-22 north toward Sleeping Bear Dunes, stopping along the way whenever the trees opened to lake views. At the Dune Climb, we kicked off our shoes and walked up barefoot, our legs working hard in the hot sand. From the top, the view of Lake Michigan stretched for miles.

Later, we hiked Empire Bluff Trail. The wind moved through the trees and the lake below shimmered.

We ended the day at Crystal Lake. Our cottage sat close to the water. The next morning, we had coffee on the porch and watched mist rise off the surface. We rented paddleboards and spent the afternoon gliding over clear water.

Lunch came from L’Chayim Delicatessen in Beulah. Dessert was a scoop of ice cream from Hill Top Soda Shoppe eaten on a wooden bench.

Traverse City

We headed into Traverse City for wine, coffee, and a ride on something new. That morning, we booked a rail bike ride at Wheels on Rails LLC. We pedaled old tracks past fields and forests, and the air smelled like pine and damp soil. The electric assist helped on the way back, but I liked the rhythm of the ride and the quiet in my head.

Afterward, we drove the Old Mission Peninsula and stopped at Bonobo Winery. Their patio looked out over the bay, and we stayed for a long time. Mari Vineyards had bold reds and stone walls that felt like Italy. Chateau Chantal was last—romantic and calm.

Before we left town, we stopped for espresso at BLK MRKT Coffee. It was strong, smooth, and exactly what I needed.

Mackinac Island

We drove to Mackinaw City and caught the ferry to Mackinac Island. No cars, just bikes and horses and the sound of hooves echoing off the pavement.

We biked the 8-mile loop around the island, stopping at Arch Rock and British Landing. The trees framed the lake at every turn. We had lunch at The Gate House, where I ordered a whitefish sandwich and a cocktail I didn’t want to finish too quickly.

That evening, we sat in the white Adirondack chairs at Mission Point and watched the sun dip behind Lake Huron. It felt quiet and full at the same time.

Copper Harbor

The road to Copper Harbor was long but beautiful. The forest got thicker, the traffic lighter, and the sky wider. We climbed Brockway Mountain Drive and parked at the overlook. The air smelled like moss and old trees. I stood at the edge and looked out over Lake Superior. The light stretched for miles.

In the morning, we had cardamom buns and coffee from Jamsen’s Fish Market & Bakery. We sat on the dock and watched seagulls fight over scraps.

We ended the trip with a slow walk through Hunter’s Point Park. The trail was soft with pine needles. The rocks along the shore were warm from the sun. And the lake—deep, cold, and endless—was the perfect end.

Where We Stayed

Frankfort: Crystal Mountain — walkable to everything, cozy rooms, and friendly staff.
Crystal Lake: Private cottage rental — lake views, peaceful mornings, and paddleboard access.
Traverse City: Hotel Indigo — rooftop bar, great location, and stylish rooms.
Mackinac Island: The Inn at Stonecliff— a quiet, wooded retreat on the island offering historic charm.
Copper Harbor: Holiday Inn Express Houghton — offers spacious rooms, free breakfast, and easy access to hiking trails.

Final Reflections

This road trip felt like a conversation with the land. Each place had its own voice—some quiet, some bold, all worth hearing. We started in Frankfort and drove a clockwise loop through Sleeping Bear, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, and Copper Harbor. There was no backtracking, just one chapter flowing into the next.

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