Leave Green Bay around 6:00–6:30am for the drive to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, allowing roughly 4½–5 hours via US-41/M-28 and US-45 toward Ontonagon, plus stops. This is a remote stretch once you get into the western Upper Peninsula, so fill the tank before leaving Green Bay and again around Iron Mountain or Ironwood; cell service becomes patchy near the park. Pack coffee, water, and a simple lunch, since dependable food options are limited along the final approach. You’ll need a Michigan Recreation Passport or day-use entry fee for the park, and a paper map is useful because navigation can be unreliable.
Head first to Lake of the Clouds Overlook, one of the park’s easiest high-reward stops. From the parking area, it’s only a short walk to the viewing platform, where the lake sits dramatically between wooded ridges—especially beautiful in September when early autumn color may be beginning. Allow about an hour, including time for photos and a quick snack. Then take the Lake of the Clouds Trail for a moderate 1½–2-hour out-and-back hike. Wear sturdy shoes and carry water; exposed roots, mud, and wet rock can make the trail slower than its distance suggests. Check the park’s current trail conditions before setting out, and keep an eye on the time because sunset comes noticeably earlier in late September.
Continue to Summit Peak Tower for the day’s broadest panorama. The short uphill walk and tower climb are well worth it on a clear afternoon, with views over the forest toward Lake Superior; budget about an hour and bring a light layer, as the summit can feel windy even when the valleys are mild. Afterward, drive roughly 35–45 minutes to Syl’s Cafe in Ontonagon for an easy, unfussy dinner—expect about $15–25 per person. Hours can be limited in the off-season, so verify the restaurant’s Saturday closing time before leaving the park. After dinner, settle in around Ontonagon or your nearby accommodation rather than attempting a long evening drive after a full hiking day.
Leave the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park area by about 7:00–7:30am for the long eastbound drive toward Sault Ste. Marie, following US-2 and M-28. Expect roughly 5½–6½ hours behind the wheel before sightseeing stops, with patchy services along parts of the Upper Peninsula, so fill the tank early and keep water and snacks in the car. A realistic first break is around Marquette; if you need coffee or a quick meal, plan for a short stop rather than trying to make the entire drive without interruption.
Aim to reach the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area near Munising in the early afternoon. With only about two hours, keep this focused: stop at Miners Castle for the most accessible classic overlook, or choose a short walk near the Munising Falls area if you prefer a shaded leg-stretch. Check current access and parking conditions before leaving, and allow extra time on the narrow park roads. From there, continue east toward Tahquamenon Falls State Park; the Upper Falls overlook and nearby riverside paths make a good 60–90-minute stop. The park charges a Michigan Recreation Passport vehicle fee, and the boardwalks can be damp, so shoes with decent grip are useful.
Continue to Sault Ste. Marie for the early evening and go straight to the Soo Locks Visitor Center. The grounds and viewing areas are generally open into the evening, though the visitor center and boat-tour schedules vary by date; September freighter traffic is often the highlight, but ships arrive when they arrive, so treat this as a relaxed hour rather than a timed performance. Park downtown and walk along the lock viewing area, checking the vessel schedule if available. For dinner, walk or drive a few minutes to Zorba’s Greek American Restaurant in downtown Sault Ste. Marie—a casual, generous local standby where entrées typically run about $15–30 per person. Call ahead for current Sunday hours, since late-season schedules can change, and keep the evening easy after the long drive.
Be at the Agawa Canyon Tour Train station in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario well before the posted check-in time—typically around 6:00–6:30am for the September excursion. Bring your passport or accepted travel document, confirmation details, water, snacks, and a light jacket; the train can feel cool in the morning, while the canyon is warmer once you are hiking. Reserved parking is available near the station, but confirm the exact lot and check-in instructions with the operator the night before. The full outing usually runs about 10–11 hours, so treat this as the day’s main event rather than trying to add other sightseeing beforehand.
The train’s scheduled stop gives you roughly two to three hours in Agawa Canyon. Follow the marked paths to the canyon overlooks and waterfalls, allowing extra time for the stair sections and uneven ground. Wear supportive shoes and carry your own food and water unless your ticket specifically includes onboard meal service; there are limited opportunities to buy anything once you leave the station. September colors may just be beginning, but the granite walls, boreal forest, and quiet waterfalls are rewarding even before peak foliage. Keep an eye on the departure time—this is a remote stop, and the train will not wait for late hikers.
After returning to Sault Ste. Marie, settle in for a celebratory meal at The Breakfast Pig, a relaxed local favorite where dinner generally runs about C$20–35 per person. Because you will be arriving after a long excursion, check the restaurant’s current evening hours and kitchen closing time before boarding the train; reservations or an early call-ahead are sensible on a busy September weekend. After dinner, drive or take a short taxi ride to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site for an easy 45-minute waterfront walk. The canal and lock area are especially pleasant at dusk, though some interpretive buildings and facilities may close earlier than the outdoor paths. Have your border documents ready for the return to Michigan, and verify your rental agreement allows the cross-border trip before setting out.