Central Upper Peninsula Snowmobile Loop Rides

“Watch for Moose and never skip a gas station!”
-Laurie Van Damme

If you’re looking for snowmobile routes in the Central Upper Peninsula, here are six great day rides you can make right from the front door of your cottage at U.P. Sunrise Cottages!

Photo Jan 14, 9 00 43 AM

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Important Tips for Riding in the Upper Peninsula

NEVER skip a gas station – always fill up when you see one because not every town has one and they certainly are not open 24 hours
ALWAYS bring cash – not every establishment takes credit cards because of the fees
Check restaurant hours ahead of time – especially on Mondays
The locals ride south of M28 – it’s gorgeous and less busy than up north
WATCH for moose!

Fuel, Food, and Trail Access near U.P. Sunrise Cottages

Just ~0.8 mile ride into Little Lake you will find:

Trail 8
food at The Throttle Bar and Grill
PLEASE NOTE: unfortunately, Brown’s Store closed at the end of summer 2023. Please plan accordingly for fuel fillups.

Lakenenland, Ojibwa Casino, Mount Marquette Loop (~102 miles)

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, head east on Trail 8 to Chatham.
From Chatham, continue on Trail 8 to Trail 417 north then west.
Go west on Trail 417 to see Lakenenland metal sculpture park.
Continue west to the Ojibwa Casino.
Continue west and ride up to the top of Mount Marquette – the view is spectacular!
Head south on Trail 8 back toward Gwinn. If you’re ready for food and fuel, after crossing County Road 480, head east on the Trail 8 spur to the Crossroads for fuel, dinner at the Crossroads Restaurant – a snowmobiler favorite, and the Adventure Centre Arctic Cat dealer.
Take the spur back to Trail 8 and head south to Gwinn, then east back toward Little Lake. Be sure to stop at the Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club hut along Trail 8 between Gwinn and Little Lake for a great picture spot, free maps, and a place to sign your name and leave your club sticker!

Big Bay Loop (~195 miles)

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, head west on Trail 8 toward Gwinn.
Head north on Trail 8 toward Marquette.
Go east on Trail 417.
Head northwest on Trail 11 to the snowmobile tunnel.
Take Trail 14 to Big Bay. Watch for waterfalls. Fuel up in Big Bay, and grab some food at the Hungry Hollow Cafe, the Lumberjack Tavern, or the Thunder Bay Inn.
Head back south on Trail 14, Trail 310 west, Trail 5 south toward Champion. (In 2023, Trail 5 is temporarily closed between Trails 14 and 310.)
From Champion, go east on Trail 8.
If you’re ready for food or fuel, head east on the Trail 8 spur to the Crossroads for fuel, dinner at the Crossroads Restaurant – a snowmobiler favorite, and the Adventure Centre Arctic Cat dealer.
Take the spur back to Trail 8 and head south to Gwinn, then east back toward Little Lake. Be sure to stop at the Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club hut along Trail 8 between Gwinn and Little Lake for a great picture spot, free maps, and a place to sign your name and leave your club sticker!

Republic Loop (~147 miles)

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, head west on Trail 8 toward Gwinn.
Head west on Trail 8 toward Gwinn. Fuel up at Kwik Trip or the Gwinn Mobil Mart.
From Gwinn, take Trail 33 south, then Trail 32 west, then Trail 5 north toward Republic.
In Republic, check out the Pine Grove Bar. There is NO FUEL available in Republic.
Head north and east on Trail 82 toward Ishpeming. Fuel up or grab some food in Ishpeming, then head east on Trail 8, stopping to check out the Suicide Hill Ski Jump at Suicide Bowl and the Iron Industry sites
Take the Trail 8 spur to the Crossroads if you need fuel, food at the Crossroads Restaurant, or a stop at the Adventure Centre Arctic Cat dealer.
Take the spur back to Trail 8 and head south to Gwinn. Fuel up, then east back toward Little Lake. Be sure to stop at the Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club hut along Trail 8 between Gwinn and Little Lake for a great picture spot, free maps, and a place to sign your name and leave your club sticker!

Arnold/Felch Loop (~140 miles)

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, take Trail 8 west toward Gwinn.
In Gwinn, take Trail 33 south to Arnold and make a stop for fuel and at Gary’s Knotty Pine Bar! (~65 miles if you go back the way you came).
Continue on Trail 33 to Trail 16, which you will take west through Felch. Fuel up and stop at Solberg’s Bar & Grill
Head north on Trail 5, then east on Trail 32.
Take Trail 33 back north to Gwinn, then Trail 8 back to Little Lake. Be sure to stop at the Forsyth Township Snowmobile Club hut along Trail 8 between Gwinn and Little Lake for a great picture spot, free maps, and a place to sign your name and leave your club sticker!

Munising and Manistique Loop (~170 miles)

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, take Trail 8 east to Chatham. Grab some breakfast or lunch at the Snack Bar.
Continue east on Trail 8, then take Trail 7 south. Another good option for late breakfast or lunch is the Buckhorn Resort restaurant, which also has a fuel pump. Stay on Trail 7 south toward Manistique.
Make a short in-and-out visit to Kitch-iti-Kipi (Big Spring) at Palms Book State Park.
Take Trail 2 east into Manistique and visit Lake Michigan.
After fueling up, get back on Trail 2 and head north, then continue north on Trail 41.
When you reach Trail 8, take it west all the way back to Little Lake.

Crazy 8’s to the Shores of Lake Superior and Grand Marais

From U.P. Sunrise Cottages, take Trail 8 east through Chatham and on to Shingleton. North of Shingleton, make a stop at the Bear Trap Inn.
Continue north on Trail 8 toward Grand Marais. Here are several optional routes to get to Grand Marais:
- Trail 8 all the way.
- Trail 89 for the Lake Superior view.
- Trail 88 east to Trail 888 north to Trail 8 east.
- Trail 88 east, Trail 443 north, Trail 8 west.
Get some food and fuel, then find your way back to Trail 8 and ride it west all the way back to Little Lake.