A Leelanau Scenic Drive with Time to Stop

Use this flexible route to connect towns, waterfronts, and a few favorite photo subjects. Choose one section for a leisurely day or spread the full peninsula journey across two days, with time for the places between the views.

By VisitLP · Information checked October 4, 2026 · Photography from the VisitLP collection

Set the shape of your day

For a south-to-north outing, use Empire, Glen Arbor, and Leland as your main sequence. A second day can connect Northport, Omena, and Suttons Bay. If your lodging is on the east side, reverse the order or begin with that second section.

This is a framework, not turn-by-turn navigation or a claim that every road has a continuous lake view. Use a current map for routing and road conditions. Pick two main stops before you leave; everything else can remain optional. That keeps the drive from becoming a series of hurried parking stops.

Empire and the Sleeping Bear area

Begin with a choice: a walk at Empire Bluff or a visit to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive when it is open. Both reward time out of the car, so make one the morning’s main activity. Review the detailed guide before deciding which better fits your group.

From there, leave room for Glen Arbor. If a Crystal River paddle is the activity you most want, give it its own part of the day and shorten the rest of the drive. You do not need to include a bluff, a scenic loop, and a river trip to have a worthwhile outing.

Make Leland a real stop

Continue your planning around Leland and Fishtown, where a waterfront walk and a meal can turn a drive into an afternoon. Park legally, explore on foot, and let the town be more than a photograph taken on the way somewhere else.

If the shoreline is part of your plan, confirm public access and current conditions. Our Petoskey stone guide adds an option for a slower look at a stony beach, including how to check collecting rules. If the day is already full, save that for another visit.

Northport, Omena, and Suttons Bay

Use Northport as the town stop for a separate northern section. Grand Traverse Lighthouse is an optional mainland excursion beyond town, with museum hours and park access to check before committing to the detour. It should be a planned destination rather than an assumption at the end of a late afternoon.

Omena and Suttons Bay give the return another character, with bay views and town browsing. Choose a meal or shopping stop along the way. If wine tasting is part of this section, arrange a non-drinking driver or professional transportation and reduce the number of other destinations.

Photograph from places made for stopping

The image collection includes M-22 signs, town-direction signs, the 45th Parallel marker, and Lake Michigan sunsets. Treat these as inspiration for the story of your trip, not instructions to pull onto a narrow shoulder. Use lawful parking and established public viewpoints.

Keep the return in mind if you stay out for evening light. A flexible route works best when weather, daylight, and everyone’s energy can change the plan. Save the places you miss for a second day; the peninsula is more enjoyable when there is room to linger.

Questions before you go

How long does the full route take?

That depends heavily on your starting point and stops. We recommend dividing the full sequence across two days rather than promising a fixed drive time.

Is M-22 a substitute for a navigation route?

No. Build directions to your chosen stops with a current map, including any detours and closures.

Official information for your visit

Hours, access, availability, and conditions can change. Confirm the details for your visit with the relevant operator or land manager.