U.S. Highway 2 runs from Washington state to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After visiting Kitch-iti-kipi, we started on U.S. 2 near Manistique and drove the scenic highway until St. Ignace on the eastern edge of the peninsula.
Manistique Boardwalk
Along U.S. 2 in Manistique is a 1.8-mile boardwalk that runs along Lake Michigan. Some of the boardwalk is paved and some is wooden. When we visited sections were close due to dangerous or washed away boards.
Our first stop was the Carl D. Bradley Lakeview Memorial Park, named for a 1958 shipwreck.
Manistique Breakwater Light
The east breakwater light is a red, square lighthouse built in 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
A breakwater is an artificial structure built to protect harbors and marinas from waves and prevent beach erosion. Manistique has a concrete breakwater on the east side of the harbor where the Manistique River meets Lake Michigan.
If you want to walk the breakwater up to the lighthouse, you will have to start by climbing on several boulders on the beach. This is not an official trail and can be dangerous because the rocks are slanted and wobble when stepped on. Climb at your own risk.
Once on the breakwater, continue to watch your step as some of the sides are deteriorating. Take the long walkway and follow the curve to the right.
This was my favorite lighthouse on our trip! While it is not open to the public, you can get great photos and even step onto the platform.
Waves can crash up on the breakwater where you are walking. This created beautiful reflections of the lighthouse in puddles. On your way back down the rocks, take care not to slip because your shoes may be wet from the waves.
Herring gulls were all around – flying around the lighthouse, sitting on the water, and walking the beach. The scene was picture perfect.
Epoufette Bay
Epoufette is a community along Lake Michigan’s northern shore. It was named by early French settlers and translates to “a place of rest.” The community is a Michigan State Historic Site, designated in 1985.
A scenic overlook for Epoufette Bay is just off the highway. Here there is a natural harbor called Epoufette Bay. The Point Epoufette cape extends slightly into Lake Michigan.
Cut River Bridge
After passing Epoufette, the highway crosses the Cut River Bridge which rises 147 feet over Cut River. The cantilevered steel deck truss bridge was built in 1947. It is over 640 feet in length.
There is a roadside park that surrounds the bridge with parking on both sides of the highway. The park has trails, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Visitors can walk sidewalks on either side of the bridge. From here you can see Cut River flowing out to Lake Michigan. There is a path next to the river out to the beach.
For me, the best part is below the highway. Each parking lot has stairs down to a paved path under the road. Within the tunnel walkway there are three stone arches facing the bridge. You can view the supporting trusses and piers.
Across from the middle arch is a door for the troll who lives under the bridge! It even has a nameplate for T. Troll 😊
If you are driving along U.S. 2, make sure to stop at these attractions along the way! It is a wonderful way to break up your road trip and enjoy some scenery. What’s your favorite roadside stop? Comment below!