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Great Lakes Circle Tour

The initial impetus for the creation of this website was the 2014 Great Lakes Coastal Trails Conference held on May 15–16, 2014 in Saugatuck, Michigan. The content and focus of this website will continue to grow and change over time. The navigation tools provided, including the menus across the top of each page, should help you navigate through the website. More content and new information is always in the planning. Please check back regularly to see what has been added!

As always, visitor feedback, comments, corrections and suggestions are eagerly accepted. Follow the various links under the About This Site menu above for more on how to provide your welcomed feedback.

Thanks for visiting, Christopher J. Bessert Cartographer, GIS Specialist, Highway Historian, Webmaster

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Travel the Lake Michigan Circle Tour

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is roughly 1,100 miles long and would take 14.5 hours with no stops.

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Destinations
Beyond Great Lakes

Lake Michigan Circle Tour – The Great Bike Touring Adventure (part 1)

Expanding my bike touring experience, I decided go on a longer – one month – tour, to ride around Lake Michigan. I began my Lake Michigan tour by bicycle straight from home, in northeastern Detroit suburbs. So, first I had to get to the west side of Michigan. However, the section across the state to Lake Michigan shoreline in South Haven will be part of another post about the Lake to Lake Trail Route #1.

Since I would be biking through some highly populated areas, that I have nor biked in before, and I had no idea what to expect, I decided to plan the route in detail. I spent days studying maps of roads and trails, looking at satellite images to find out if there is a shoulder along the particular road. I read other cyclists blogs about riding around the lake.

When I was done, I had a detailed route with turn-by-turn navigation. I loaded it all into my Garmin Edge Explore. It was a great decision. If I had to navigate with paper maps, or Google maps on the phone, or written notes (as I have done before), it would have taken a lot more time on some days. I probably would have gone wrong way few times here and there, during some complicated ride days… So, having it all on my Garmin helped a lot. Even though, there were few times, when my Garmin lost satellite signal, and I had to use a phone to navigate.

So, my tour around the lake began in South Haven , a beach town in southwestern Michigan, of course, on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Kal-Haven Trail - the starting point of my Lake Michigan Tour by Bicycle

Sometime around the middle of June I began riding south, and so my Lake Michigan tour by bicycle had begun.

I followed the lake shoreline, in a clockwise direction, riding through Benton Harbor, New Buffalo, and soon after I crossed the border with Indiana. I went through Michigan City, and later rode on great long trails – Prairie Duneland Trail, Oak Savannah Trail and Erie Lackawanna Trail – through most of Indiana and to the vicinity of Illinois. Not much later, I was already in Chicago.

From Chicago I kept following the shoreline riding on some trails but also on roads through North Chicago, Waukegan, Il. Then I crossed the Illinois-Wisconsin border, and rode through Kenosha, Racine and later – Milwaukee. I kept following the western shoreline of Lake Michigan, going through Port Washington, Sheboygan and Manitowoc.

I skipped the Door Peninsula and went straight to Green Bay. From there I followed the western shoreline of Green Bay, going through Marinette, after which I crossed back into Michigan. Then I went to Escanaba, and later followed US-2 through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

When I got to Saint Ignace, I crossed back to Lower Peninsula via Mackinac Island. From there I kept riding along the western shoreline of Lower Peninsula through Petoskey, Charlevoix to Traverse City.

Then, again, I skipped some shoreline along Leelanau Peninsula and went directly to Frankfort. And from there I again followed the Lake Michigan shoreline through Manistee, Ludington, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Saugatuck and to close to loop – back to South Haven.

Since the whole story ended up being quite long, I decided to break it into few sections:

The first part covers the ride from South Haven, MI to Chicago, IL.
The next one – from Chicago to Manitowoc, WI.
The third – from Manitowoc, WI to Mackinaw City, MI.
The forth – from Mackinaw City, MI to Sliver Lake, MI.
The final one – from Silver Lake, MI back to South Haven, MI.

The route, obviously, consisted of trails and roads. The total ride around the lake amounted to around 1,100 miles. More details about the route is provided in the daily segments. I am actually providing very detailed description or my route hoping that it will help other people with planning their trip. I, myself, while planning my ride, was looking for information like that. However, if you just want to read about my daily experiences, but are not interested in detailed trip routing skip the segments in italics.

It took 20 days for me to circle Lake Michigan. I began going around the lake in the middle of June and finished in early July.

The bike is ready ofr my Lake Michigan Tour by Bicycle

Lake Michigan Tour by Bicycle – From South Haven to Chicago

South haven to sawyer (46 miles/69 km).

On the first day I went from South Haven to Sawyer, MI . Originally, I was planning on going all the way to Michigan City, IN . However, when I got to South Haven, the temperature rose into the 90’s (33 deg. C). And it was suppose stay in the 90’s for the next few days. Therefore, I adjusted down my daily distances for next two days.

The traffic was moderate, and the road had for most part – pretty wide shoulder (up to 5 – 6 ft (1.5 – 1.8 m)). Of course, there were very short, sections, where it narrowed down to almost nothing. Shortly before I got to Benton Harbor, the shoulder disappeared completely. However, there was a rough sidewalk and trail that you could ride on, if you wanted to get off the smooth road.

I skirted center of St. Joseph – by riding on local streets close to the shore.

Originally, I was planning camping in Warren Dunes State Park (Read more about it in my post: Small but Beautiful Warren State Park in Michigan ). Then I found out that it would cost me $46 for a campsite for one night. When I considered that, the fact that it was over 90 F, and the rumor that black flies were really bad in the park, I decided to pay a little bit more and stay in a hotel.

Today it was not an easy riding. It was very hot and pretty much the whole day I had a strong headwind. So, when I got to Sawyer I was tired. However, my Lake Michigan tour has begun. This was my fifth day of riding since I left home, but my first of Lake Michigan circle tour.

Sawyer to Michigan City (45 miles/72 km)

It was going to be another hot day. But I was riding only 35 miles to Beverly Shores, IN, just south of Michigan City, IN , where I was staying with Warmshowers hosts.

A lot of expensive, beautiful homes there to enjoy passing by along the shoreline.

I wanted to explore the Indiana Dunes State Park , to which I have never been before. To get to it, I had to ride on the Calumet Trail . The trail was recommended route south by one of the bloggers that rode around the lake. To my surprise, I found the Calumet Trail to be a horrible substitute for a trail! The section that I rode on, by the state park, was often flooded so badly, that I could not get through on my loaded bike and had to walk it. When I eventually got to some dry ground, I found the trail to be covered by loose gravel that was difficult to ride on Michigan my 37 mm tires. If you were on a mountain bike, the trail could be rideable.

Calumet Trail: If you are touring through, avoid the Calumet Trail. A lot of loose gravel, and after a rain, a lot of big and deep puddles.

This was a good reconnaissance, because tomorrow I was suppose to ride the trail further south.

The park was really busy, and the temperature was quite high, in the mid 90’s (mid 30 C). I relaxed in a shade and had something cold to drink to cool off. After a while, I got back on the bike to ride back to Beverly Shores towards the area where my Warmshowers hosts’ house was located.

I rode back on W Dunes Hwy/US Hwy 12. Later I found out from my hosts, who are avid road cyclists, that US Hwy 12 is quite dangerous, and every year a cyclist dies on it hit by a vehicle.

My Warmshowers hosts were wonderful. Since it was very hot, as soon as I arrived in their house I was given an ice-cold bottle of Gatorade, and offered to take shower to get the sweat and grime off my body. Later we had a dinner and a beer and a nice conversation, mostly about biking and local biking options.

One of the hosts told me, as I have already mentioned about, US Hwy 12 was not safe, and offered to lead me out of town tomorrow morning and get me safely to the trailhead of Prairie Duneland Trail in Chesterton.

Today, even though, the day was really hot, and I had some headwind, the ride wasn’t really hard. This is why I went the additional miles to state park.

Michigan City to Chicago (70 miles/112 km)

When I was thinking about the trip, this section was giving me the most stress. I have talked to few friends who bike tour too. They were saying that they would like to go touring around Lake Michigan, but because of the section from Indiana to Chicago, which in their view would be crazy dangerous for many reasons, they will not do it.

It was not the case. And it just shows you, that you should not rely on other people’s opinion. Especially, coming from people who have not done it, or been there. It’s just their opinion, based on who knows what.

The section, while quite long (70 miles) was mostly on trails, and then in Chicago , on quiet roads with bike lanes. It was one of the least stressful days of my journey!

On the other hand, it is good to listen to local riders. They often know more than you can find on the Internet. Since I was staying with the Warmshowers host last night, one of them offered to guide me on local roads to the trailhead of Prairie Duneland Trail in Chesterton, and thus avoiding the horrible Calumet Trail and busy US Hwy 12.

From Beverly Shores, I went, guided by my host, on many local loads, going mostly south, till we got directly east of Chesterton. We left early – at 7 AM.

While the route sounds pretty complicated, when you program it into your GPS, it is easy to follow. During the day I rode about 70 miles, which included a little site seeing and wondering along the Lakefront Trail since I arrived in the city more than an hour before I could check into the hotel.

By the way, the Lakefront Trail, while very busy, is a beautiful trail following the city’s lake front, and wondering through many parks along. It offers many spectacular views of the lake and Chicago’s downtown. You can read more about it in my post here: Bike Ride on the Chicago’s Lakefront Trail .

Lakefront Trail in Chicago - part of Lake Michigan Tour by Bicycle route.

It was a log ride and when I finally got to a hotel I was tired. This was another really hot day. When I got to downtown Chicago , the temperature was 94 F (34 C).

Today I went form Michigan, through Indiana to Illinois…

Here I should talk about the hotel a little bit. I made my reservation through Hotels.com, and I reserved a room in Travelodge by Wyndham in downtown. The reason for that was that I wanted to stay close to the trail, so I wouldn’t have to ride on busy Chicago streets. When I got to my room, I was shocked! This was probably the biggest dump, the dingiest room that I ever stayed in. The total accommodation including bathroom was probably less than half the area that it was supposed to be according to Hotels.com description. There were no window curtains. The windows had cheap plastic shades. The bathroom was so small, that you could barely turn around.

I went down to the reception desk and told them that they gave me the wrong room, that it was not what I reserved. The answer was: no, the room is correct. Take it or leave it!… All this for a small price of $217/night!… So, stay away from Travelodge in downtown Chicago!…

To be continued…

One of the major destinations on my Lake Michigan Tour by Bicycle

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Lighthouse Driving Itinerary

Home » Lighthouse Map + Circle Tour » Lighthouse Driving Itinerary

Lake Michigan Circle Tour Itinerary Plan

The Great Lakes Circle Tours are a total of four routes circling each Great Lake, with the exception of Lake Ontario. The State of Michigan has signed each of the circle tours for the Great Lakes the state touches: the Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior Circle Tours. These tours were originally conceived as an aid for travelers who wished to stick close to the shorelines of the lakes in their journeys. You’ll find the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route below.

Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour

The Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour is a free publication available from the West Michigan Tourist Association to accompany the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Request your free copy of the Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour .

Lake Michigan Circle Tour Route

Michigan side.

The route of the mainline Lake Michigan Circle Tour in Michigan follows signed state trunkline routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. Along with the primary Circle Tour route, several marked “Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops” have been posted using white-on-brown signs. These loops may follow state highways or utilize city streets and county roads running closer to the shoreline. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below:

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Michigan from Indiana on US-12 south of New Buffalo and proceeds northerly through New Buffalo to I-94.
The route leaves US-12 and continues northerly on I-94 from Exit 4 toward St Joseph. At Exit 23, the route exits I-94 and continues northerly into downtown St Joseph via BL I-94.
In St Joseph, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour continues northerly on M-63 into northern Berrien Co.
At the nothern terminus of M-63, the circle tour proceeds northerly on I-196/US-31 toward South Haven.
The route leaves I-196/US-31 at Exit 18 and loops through South Haven using BL I-196.
On the east side of South Haven, where BL I-196 ends at I-196/US-31 Exit 20, the route continues north into Allegan Co on I-196/US-31.
While the Lake Michigan Circle Tour remains on I-196/US-31 at Saugatuck/Douglas, a locally-designated Lake Michigan Circle Tour Harbor Tour loop route is signed concurrently with A-2/Blue Star Hwy between Exits 36 and 41.
The circle tour continues northerly on US-31/BL I-196 toward Holland at Exit 44 when I-196 splits off to the east.
At Exit 47, route signage indicates that the circle tour exits US-31 and loops through downtown Holland following the former route of BUS US-31/BL I-196. However, this business loop route through Holland was removed in August 2004 (signage removed in May 2005), but Lake Michigan Circle Tour markers along US-31 itself still indicates the route exits US-31 onto a business route which no longer exists. Therefore, the new de facto route for the circle tour continues northerly past Holland via the US-31 bypass.
On the east side of Holland, the route continues northerly following US-31 through Grand Haven and toward Norton Shores.
At the jct of US-31 & I-96, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour leaves US-31 and follows BUS US-31 through downtown Muskegon.
Northeast of downtown Muskegon, the route continues northerly via M-120 to North Muskegon and northeasterly back to US-31.
Back on US-31, the circle tour continues northerly toward Ludington, leaving US-31 twice: once to follow the route of BUS US-31 through the downtowns of Whitehall and Montague in northern Muskegon Co; and again to follow the route of BUS US-31 through downtown Pentwater in Oceana Co.
At the end of the US-31 freeway near Ludington, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour turns east following US-10/US-31 toward Scottville.
At Scottville, the circle tour turns northerly again to follow US-31 toward Manistee, although a locally-designated Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loop Route formerly continued east on US-10 into downtown, then northerly via Old US-31 back to US-31 and the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. (NOTE: The Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loop route through Scottville was removed/decommissioned some time in late 2004 or early 2005 and no longer exists.)
The route continues northerly from Scottville and through Manistee on US-31.
Northeast of Manistee, the route turns northerly to follow M-22 through Onekama, Frankfort and Empire.
Northeast of Empire, a Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loop Route leaves M-22 to follow M-109 past Glen Haven, rejoining M-22 at Glen Arbor. (The mainline LMCT remains on M-22 between Empire and Glen Arbor.)
From Glen Arbor, the circle tour continues northerly on M-22 through Leland to Northport. At Northport, M-22 and the Lake Michigan Circle Tour turn nearly 180 degrees to head southerly into Traverse City.
At Traverse City, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour returns to US-31 and continues northerly via US-31 through Elk Rapids, Charlevoix and Petoskey and on toward the Mackinac Bridge.
South of Mackinaw City, where US-31 ends, the route continues northerly on I-75 crossing the Mackinac Bridge and entering the Upper Peninsula at St Ignace. Between Mackinaw City and St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is jointed by the Lake Huron Circle Tour.
In St Ignace, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour continues westerly along US-2 for more than 140 miles through Manistique and Gladstone to Escanaba.
At Escanaba, the circle tour continues southwesterly via M-35 along the Green Bay shoreline to Menominee
The route continues south on US-41 through Menominee and enters Wisconsin at Marinette.

Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Michigan Highways site for the route.

Wisconsin Side

In Wisconsin, the mainline of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour follows signed state highway routes in its entirety, although in some places the nearest state highway to the Lake Michigan may be several miles away. This route listing lists the official route as well as any locally-designated and marked “Lake Michigan Circle Tour Loops,” which are generally posted with brown signs. These loop routes are detailed below the mainline route below:

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Wisconsin from Illinois via STH-32 and proceeds northerly through the downtowns of Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, all the while following STH-32 religiously.
In northern metropolitan Milwaukee, the LMCT joins I-43/STH-32/STH-57 heading northerly into Ozaukee Co.
At Grafton, the tour departs I-43 to remain on STH-32 and continues through Port Washington.
On the north side of Port Washington, the tour rejoins I-43 and contines northerly via I-43/STH-32 toward Sheboygan.
At Exit 123, the circle tour departs I-43 and continues northeasterly via STH-28 into Sheboygan.
At STH-23, where STH-28 ends and STH-42 begins, the LMCT continues northwesterly via STH-42 back to I-43 at Exit 128.
The route continues northerly via I-43 from Sheboygan to Manitowoc.
At Manitowoc, the circle tour leaves I-43 at Exit 149 and continues into downtown via US-151.
In downtown Manitowoc, the route continues northerly via US-10 to STH-42. Also in downtown Manitowoc, a rather unique Lake Michigan Circle Tour spur route begins: travelling straight across the lake via Lake Michigan Carferry’s S.S. Badger carferry!
On the north side of Manitowoc, the tour continues northerly via STH-42 through the communities of Two Rivers, Kewaunee and Algoma into Door Co and the Door Peninsula.
At STH-57, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour turns northeasterly via STH-42/STH-57 past Sturgeon Bay.
The route then heads northeasterly along the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula via STH-57 through Jacksonport, meeting back up with STH-42 in Sister Bay.
In Sister Bay, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour turns back southwesterly via STH-42 through Egg Harbor to Sturgeon Bay once again.
Southwest of Sturgeon Bay, the tour continues southwesterly via STH-57 into Green Bay.
At Green Bay, the circle tour transitions to the final seven miles of I-43 northwesterly to that highway’s northern terminus at US-41/US-141.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour then turns northerly via US-41/US-141 in Howard.
A the US-41/US-141 split in Abrams, the circle tour veers northeasterly to follow US-41 through Oconto and Peshitgo on its way to Marinette.
At Marinette, the Lake Michigan Circle Tour enters Michigan on the US-41 Interstate Bridge linking that city with its sister, Menominee, on the other bank.

Thanks to Chris Bessert and the Wisconsin Highways site for providing the route.

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