Michigan’s Upper Peninsula holds more shoreline, forest, and waterway than most visitors can cover in a single trip. The region sits between Lake Superior to the north and Lakes Michigan and Huron to the south, drawing people who want wilderness, not just a weekend away from the city. Several casino resorts have built themselves into that landscape, placing full hotel and gaming facilities within reach of serious trail systems, rivers, and Great Lakes access. For visitors who want to split time between the outdoors and a proper hotel room, these properties are worth knowing about.
Bay Mills Resort and Casino, Brimley
Bay Mills Resort and Casino sits on the southern shore of Lake Superior, about 11 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie. The hotel looks directly at open water, and the property connects to snowmobile, ATV, and hiking trail networks cutting through the surrounding Chippewa County forests. Guests focused on waterways will find the Waiska River within a short drive, a reliable corridor for steelhead and salmon in fall.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported Bay Mills generated roughly $18.7 million in gross gaming revenue in 2024. A recent expansion brought the hotel to 270 rooms, and a 124-site RV park offers an alternative for guests who want to stay closer to the shoreline. Wild Bluff Golf Course, part of the same property, runs along cliffs above Lake Superior with unobstructed views across the water.
Brimley sits inside the Hiawatha National Forest corridor, so trailheads into that 880,000-acre system are reachable without a long drive. If you plan to spend mornings on the water and evenings at the resort, Bay Mills lines up well for that kind of trip.
Island Resort and Casino, Harris
Island Resort and Casino sits 13 miles west of Escanaba in the central Upper Peninsula. The resort covers a large footprint, with two championship golf courses, a full spa, an indoor pool, and a 42-site RV park open from May through November. The golf courses, Sweetgrass and Sage Run, were designed by Paul Albanese across open U.P. terrain.
The surrounding area matters for outdoor-focused visitors. Little Bay de Noc, an arm of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, runs along the eastern edge of this corridor and provides access to walleye, smallmouth bass, and perch from late spring through fall. The growth of Michigan online casinos has expanded what players can reach remotely, but Island Resort still pairs indoor gaming with outdoor recreation in a way that a phone screen cannot match.
The Escanaba River State Forest borders the area to the north, with forest roads and trail access throughout. If you want to combine fishing on Little Bay de Noc with a few days at the resort, Harris works as a practical home base.
Kewadin Shores Casino, St. Ignace
St. Ignace sits at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge, where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan converge. Kewadin Shores Casino here is a smaller operation than Island Resort or Bay Mills, but its location makes it worth considering for visitors focused on paddling and shoreline access. Kayakers use the Straits of Mackinac during the warmer months, and charter fishing for salmon, trout, and walleye runs throughout the season.
The Les Cheneaux Islands region, about 30 miles to the east, offers some of the most navigable paddling water in the Great Lakes, with calm channels threading between dozens of small islands. The Straits Area State Forest connects to trail networks heading deeper into the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Kewadin Casino, Christmas
The town of Christmas sits on Lake Superior’s southern shore between Munising and Seney, putting this Kewadin property within 15 minutes of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pictured Rocks stretches 42 miles along Lake Superior and includes sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and the 42-mile North Country Trail running the full length of the shoreline.
This casino is a smaller gaming stop rather than a full resort property, but for visitors anchoring a Pictured Rocks itinerary, the proximity is useful. Miners Beach and Miners Castle are close by, and the Au Train River provides trout and salmon fishing within the same corridor.
Finding the Right Property for Your Trip
The Upper Peninsula’s casino resorts earn their place when you treat them as a base rather than the destination itself. Most sit within 20 to 40 minutes of named rivers, state forest trailheads, or direct Great Lakes access. Waterway access varies by property, but several of these corridors overlap with the top fishing spots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with detailed coverage of rivers and lakes across the region.
Picking the right property comes down to which outdoor activity matters most. Bay Mills puts you closest to the Lake Superior shoreline and Hiawatha National Forest. Island Resort connects to Little Bay de Noc and the Escanaba River watershed. Kewadin Shores gives you Straits of Mackinac access. Christmas puts Pictured Rocks within reach. The U.P. rewards planning, and the right base camp makes all the difference.
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