Editor’s Note: Last November, Fodor’s included Lake Superior on the annual No List, highlighting regions to reconsider in 2024. Tom Nemacheck, the executive director of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association, which includes many communities on Lake Superior, responds to that inclusion. The 2025 edition of the No List will be announced this week.
In the heart of North America’s Great Lakes region lies Lake Superior, an immense and seemingly boundless marvel of nature. By the numbers, it reigns as the world’s largest freshwater lake in surface area, spanning an impressive 31,700 square miles. Its extensive shoreline, stretching nearly 2,800 miles, touches Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario. Within Michigan, the shoreline traces 917 miles along the Upper Peninsula (UP), a stretch surpassing even California’s 840-mile Pacific coastline. Despite comprising about 28% of Michigan’s landmass, the UP is home to just 317,000 residents, reflecting its vast yet sparsely populated expanse.
A true four-season destination, Lake Superior brings with it rhythms throughout the year that attract a range of visitors: hikers in the spring, wave catchers in the summer, leaf peepers in the fall, and skiers in the winter. For many, the tranquility of winter, with its silent, snow-covered expanses, is a cherished time to appreciate the untouched beauty of the region.
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With only a small fraction of the state’s population, myself included, calling this shoreline home, the lake has become emblematic of our profound respect for the outdoors. Like any major natural resource, its preservation is a frequent and important topic, and tourism plays a unique role in preserving our natural resources for future generations. Picturesque communities like Munising, Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island, St. Ignace Marquette, and Keweenaw counties are nestled throughout the shoreline, with all taking an active role in preserving their outdoors.
Each season, we are tasked with responsibly welcoming visitors to our cities and regions in a way that offers both protection and education on our landscapes while also supporting our local economies. Tourism boosts these economies, enabling communities to reinvest in protecting their natural surroundings. A prime example of this is Keweenaw County, which in 2023 saw a total visitor spend of $146.8 million. This influx of resources supported initiatives like the Sustainable Tourism Series, which connects local businesses and community leaders with experts to discuss the ongoing balance needed for eco-conscious travel. Additionally, Keweenaw created a Destination Development Fund, sponsoring projects such as the Orchard Trail and increased trail and landmark signage across the county.
In Munising, tourism donations have contributed to a number of community improvements, including bike path building, a veterans memorial, parks and recreation programs, snowmobile trails, the Valley Spur ski area and groomer funding, a local concert in the park series, and all local events and festivals. Local business owners, like those in Munising, have witnessed firsthand the benefits tourism brings.
According to John Madigan, Munising resident and manager at Pictured Rocks Cruises, “There is no question that a lot of the local businesses would not be here if it were not for tourism dollars.” He noted that the visitors he deals with on his boats come to recreate. Do some shopping. Get something to eat. All of which goes right back to the local economy. More significantly, his business, along with many others, pays an annual fee that goes directly back to the parks. From trail improvements to new facilities, these funds offer major support to public places, like Pictured Rocks, and ultimately allow Munising to better maintain and preserve its outdoor resources.
Even more telling for the Upper Peninsula region are the visitation numbers the area experienced following the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many destinations that saw a decrease in visitors, our area experienced a spike. During a very challenging time, the UP offered a safe outdoor escape for people to disconnect. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, for example, saw 910,939 total visitors in 2023. This is a 1.5% decrease from 2022 visitation and a 30% decrease from 2021 when the park saw its highest visitation of 1.3 million visitors. While these visitor numbers are now stabilizing, the surge prompted the development of new strategies to better manage and protect natural resources. Initiatives like the “Respect Marquette” program for Marquette County exemplify how communities are fostering responsible tourism to safeguard their landscapes.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan stands as a testament to how tourism when managed responsibly, can enhance community well-being and environmental stewardship. With its expanse stretching 900-plus miles across Michigan, there are countless opportunities to discover and explore pristine beaches, dunes, waterfalls, woodlands, and wilderness areas. By educating both locals and visitors on sustainable practices, the region celebrates a balanced approach to tourism that preserves its natural treasures for future generations. Michigan’s UP exemplifies how leveraging tourism can lead to a harmonious relationship between economic growth and environmental conservation.
