Sugarloaf Mountain: A Family-Friendly Hike in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula With Kids
During our 10-day camping trip through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with our four kids, hiking Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette quickly became one of our favorite hikes. This short but adventurous trail gave us a big payoff with stunning Lake Superior views—and it was doable even after a few long travel days. If you’re road-tripping the U.P. with kids, this hike is a must. Here’s everything you need to know before you go—plus our family-tested tips, kid-friendly packing list, and nearby activities we loved.
View from Summit
What to Expect on the Sugarloaf Mountain Hike
Trail length: About 0.9 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate – there are lots of stairs, but our kids managed fine with breaks
Time: 30–60 minutes depending on pace and time at the top
Trail features: Well-marked paths, sturdy stairs with handrails, and multiple lookout platforms
Views: Sweeping vistas of Lake Superior, Presque Isle, and Marquette below
Dogs: Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash
Vault Toliet: Restroom located at trailhead
Ample Parking: Wide Spacious lot
Quick Tip for Choosing your Route: At one point you’ll reach the trail marker sign, which can be a bit confusing since ( depending on what direction you came from) it gives two options- difficult and easy- but their appears to be 3 possible routes. Take the trail up to the stairs to reach the top. The two other options lead to the old parking lot and the new parking lot. We decided to take the difficult route because we enjoy a challenge, although we found it moderate and doable even with 4 children- age ranges from 7-13.
Choosing which route
Family Note: Even our youngest handled the climb. We took breaks if needed and kept the mood light with silly games and “step-counting races.”
View from Sugarloaf Mountain
What You’ll Experience at the Summit
Dogs are allowed on Trail
When we reached the top, the kids’ faces lit up. The panoramic views of Lake Superior were worth every stair climbed. We could see:
The city of Marquette below
Sparkling blue water stretching for miles
Boats out on the lake
Sunlight dancing on the rocky shoreline
Stoney Monument - Built by Boy Scout trop to Honor Bart King. Here is the full story here.
The kids loved climbing onto the boulders (with us close by). It felt like we were on top of the world!
Marquette Lodging Options
We highly recommend staying overnight in Marquette. We spent three days in the area exploring. From cliff jumping, mountain biking and hiking- the options are endless. Below are some great lodging options for families.
Campgrounds Tourist Park Campground – Close to town and Lake Superior, sandy beach, can ride bikes into town.
American Best Value Inn – Great budget-friendly hotel with pool and included breakfast
Holiday Inn Marquette Large pool and hot tub, great location spacious rooms, & onsite restaurant.
Pool at Holiday Inn in Marquette
Tips for Hiking With Kids
Start early – We went in the morning, to avoid crowds.
Take breaks – The benches along the way were lifesavers for quick rests.
Pack light but smart – A small backpack with water and snacks was perfect.
Make it fun – Our kids loved spotting different kinds of trees and racing up the steps.
Check the weather – Can be breezy at the top, so pack light jackets if weather is cooler.
Family Packing List for Sugarloaf Mountain
Check out our complete day pack hiking list and our favorite daypack.
✅ Water bottles (hydration is key for kids!)
✅ Granola bars or fruit snacks
✅ Comfortable sneakers
✅ Lightweight jackets
✅ Sunscreen & hats
✅ Bug spray (mosquitoes loved us in August!)
✅ Small backpack (our older kids carried their own water/snack)
✅ Camera or phone
Nearby Activities for Families
After our hike, we made a full day of exploring around Marquette:
Black Rocks at Presque Isle Park – Our entire family bravely jumped from the Black rocks.
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse & Beach – Perfect for a picnic and some sandy playtime.
Donckers – We treated everyone to ice cream and chocolate—it was the sweetest reward.
Yooperlite Hunting – One of our favorite memories of the whole trip was heading out at night with UV flashlights to hunt for glowing Yooperlite rocks along the shoreline.
Final Thoughts
Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain with our four kids was one of the best hikes while visiting Marquette while on our U.P. road trip adventure. It’s short enough for young kids, but the views make it feel like a big accomplishment for the whole family. If you’re planning a trip to Marquette, definitely add this hike to your list—you won’t regret it.
Our goal was avoid non-stop driving and really experience the area, so we opted for this trip’s itinerary focuses solely on Eastern Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but if you've never visited —it's an unforgettable experience.
