Highline Trail
Upper Peninsula wilderness lakes connector
The Highline Trail winds 43 miles through some of the most remote country in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, connecting a chain of wilderness lakes from Grand Marais to the Canadian border country. This isn’t the alpine stuff you see in magazines — it’s proper North Woods terrain with thick forest, beaver ponds, and stretches where the only sound is your engine and the occasional loon call. The trail follows old logging roads and CCC routes through the Superior National Forest, crossing creeks on sketchy wooden bridges and climbing ridges that give you glimpses of Lake Superior through the trees.
Any decent 4WD can handle most of it, but expect mud holes, washouts, and the occasional fallen tree. Summer brings bugs and soft spots, while fall offers the best conditions once the leaves drop. No permits required, but you’re hours from help and cell service is nonexistent. Pack extra fuel, recovery gear, and bug spray. The payoff is true wilderness camping and some of the best brook trout fishing in the Midwest.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 43 mi / 69.2 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1800 ft |
| Best season | September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD |
| Nearest town | Grand Marais, Michigan |
| Land manager | Superior National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD truck or SUV handle the Highline Trail without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD with decent all-terrain tires is the minimum and generally sufficient for this trail. Lifted rigs aren't required, but low-range 4WD is — don't attempt this in AWD-only vehicles. Soft soils and wet conditions can catch stock rigs off guard, so airing down to around 20 PSI helps.
When does the Highline Trail become impassable, and is it accessible in early spring?
Best season is September through October when fall color peaks and bugs thin out. Spring is generally a bad idea — snowmelt turns the dirt surface into deep mud and some sections become dangerously soft into late May or even June. Winter access exists but requires experience with snow travel and cold-weather self-recovery.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to run this trail?
No permit is required to drive the trail itself on Superior National Forest land. Dispersed camping is free but follow Leave No Trace rules and check current fire restrictions with the Forest Service before your trip, especially in dry fall conditions.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The water crossings are where most rigs have issues — they're not deep by UP standards, but after rain the approaches get slick and rutted. Expect soft, muddy two-track in several low-lying sections between the lakes where standing water can hide the true depth of ruts. Nothing here requires lockers, but slow momentum and reading the terrain carefully will save you.
There's zero cell service on this trail — how far is the nearest fuel and what should I know before heading out?
Grand Marais is your last reliable fuel stop before the trail, and it's a small town so don't count on a 24-hour pump — top off early. The trail runs 43 miles of backcountry with no services, so carry extra fuel, a paper map or downloaded offline topo, and plan your water from the lake sources (filter everything). Tell someone your route and expected return date.
Trail track
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