The Great Lake State's Scenic Landscapes

Here is a detailed article about the scenic landscapes of the Great Lakes State (Michigan):

Michigan is aptly nicknamed the Great Lake State due to its vast freshwater coastlines along four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie. Beyond its incredible freshwater resources, Michigan boasts an incredibly diverse range of scenic landscapes spread across its two peninsulas.

Upper Peninsula

The Upper Peninsula, or U.P. as it's often called, contains some of Michigan's most ruggedly beautiful terrain. The ancient, heavily forested hills and valleys of the Porcupine and Huron Mountains offer incredible vistas, hiking trails, and waterfalls like those at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Along the shores of Lake Superior, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features 15 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs up to 200 feet tall, towering over the bright blue waters. The U.P. is also home to the Keweenaw Peninsula, with its rocky shorelines and historic copper mining sites.

Lower Peninsula

While not as rugged as the U.P., the Lower Peninsula contains its own abundance of natural splendor. Michigan's mitten is lined with sugar sand beaches, tall bluffs, and lighthouses along its shorelines. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the northwest has some of the most impressive dunes, reaching nearly 500 feet tall. In the northeast Lower Peninsula, destinations like the Tunnel of Trees along M-119 and the Mackinac Bridge connecting the two peninsulas draw visitors with their scenic vistas. Inland, rolling hills, forests, rivers and over 11,000 inland lakes provide beautiful scenery for outdoor recreation year-round.