U.S. 2 FROM THE BRIDGE

Region: St. Ignace & U.S. 2 to Naubinway

Heading west from the Mackinac Bridge on US-2, drivers can pull over anywhere along miles of beachfront and take a stroll, swim, or walk their dogs

This two-lane highway is unlike any other in the U.P. Beginning at Interstate 75 just after you crosses the Mackinac Bridge, it is the most important east-west corridor clear across peninsula to Ironwood and on across northern Wisconsin to Duluth. For most of U.S. 2's 42 miles to Naubinway, Lake Michigan views are to the south - often sand beaches are just off the highway. To the north are, for the most part, forested dunes or wetlands of the Hiawatha National Forest. Many campgrounds of the Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan State Forest combine waterfront settings on Lake Michigan or inland lakes with outstanding short and medium-length trails.

Hog Island State Forest Campground is one of the closest sites after crossing the Mackinac Bridge to the U.P. It's right on Lake Michigan, 7 miles east of Naubinway on US-2. There are 50 sites, vault toilets, and a hand pump for water. No reservations needed

The first few miles of U.S. 2 west of the Mackinac Bridge have more colorful roadside attractions than anywhere else in the Upper Peninsula: souvenir shops with bridge views, pasty shops, smoked fish stores, the Mystery Spot, a deer ranch, good private zoo, and Totem Village, a folk art environment behind a gift shop.

Old-fashioned-looking signs scream out at U.S. 2 motorists as they begin heading west from the Bridge.

What's really distinctive? The pleasant, intimate GarLyn Zoo in Naubinway gives close-up views of bear, wolves, cougars, deer, and more in a setting sensitive to the welfare of wildlife. Totem Village is a heartfelt folk art roadside attraction touching on Ojibwa life in native and popular culture, lumber camps, Native American artifacts, and wildlife. The Mystery Spot is fun for all ages once in your life. Bridge views from towers and from Castle Rock change with the seasons, light, and weather - always nice! At the Cut River Bridge park, stairs and trails go down the gorge through the leaves to the beach — good exercise and scenic spring through fall.

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