At 1,979 feet above sea level, Mount Arvon is the highest point in the state of Michigan, ranking #38 among U.S. state high points. Tucked deep in the Upper Peninsula, this quiet summit sits miles from pavement and cell service. This marked my 31st state high point, and while it doesn’t offer sweeping alpine views, it delivers something better — solitude, dirt roads, and that unmistakable feeling of earning it.

Highpointing on a Roll

After wrapping up Timms Hill, Wisconsin’s high point, I pointed the SUV north toward Michigan. Mount Arvon is only slightly taller than Timms Hill, though it edges Timms Hill out by a few feet. Still, the terrain and remoteness feel entirely different.

However, don’t let the modest elevation fool you. The adventure begins long before you reach the parking lot.

Night Climb? Maybe Not…

The drive toward L’Anse had me debating a late-night summit attempt. Because of the northern latitude, it stays light well into the evening during summer. I’d read about ambitious highpointers reaching the summit as late as 10 PM.

But after hours on the road, the thought of navigating logging roads in total darkness gave me pause. So instead, I saved the summit for morning.

Honestly, it was the right call.

Motel 41: A Simple, Smart Stop

My late arrival led me to Motel 41 — a renovated Airbnb-style roadside stay that turned out to be exactly what I needed.

Clean lines. New furniture. Laminate floors. No front desk.

Instead, just a keypad entry and a code texted ahead of time. Efficient. Easy. Done.

Then, after reorganizing gear in the parking lot (Chicago city clothes out, hiking layers in), I called it a night. The summit would wait.

Roadside Motel 41 sign in L’Anse, Michigan advertising vacancy and Airbnb booking along a wooded Upper Peninsula highway.Exterior corridor of Motel 41 in L’Anse, Michigan with stone façade rooms, red chairs, and parked cars under string lights.

Photos: Motel 41 in L’Anse, Michigan

Mt. Arvon or Bust!

The next morning, I made the short drive toward Zion Lutheran Church — the last clear landmark before things get interesting.

From there, it’s roughly 10 miles of remote logging roads. Expect puddles and ruts — and plenty of dust if it’s dry.

Pro tip: print directions beforehand. GPS can get unreliable out here.

Fortunately, blue circular markers guide you at key junctions. Even so, the road keeps you alert. Every bump builds anticipation.

Access site sign and blue Mt. Arvon marker along a dirt logging road near Zion Lutheran Church in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Photo: The road from Zion Lutheran Church, guided by blue markers, leading you to the summit

Parking Lot & Trail Options

Pulling into the small summit parking lot, I noticed another SUV already there. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one chasing summit #31 that morning.

From the lot, two short paths branch off:

  • One leads directly to the summit marker
  • The other heads toward an overlook

A connecting trail links the two through the woods.

A large blue sign from Lyme Great Lakes Timberlands clearly points toward the “View” or “Overlook.” Naturally, I headed there first.

The morning air was calm. Although the view was slightly hazy, the quiet more than made up for it. The Highpointers Foundation bench at the overlook is a thoughtful touch — a simple place to pause and take it all in.

Alt Text (Parking Lot): Small dirt parking lot at Mount Arvon trailhead surrounded by dense Upper Peninsula forest.Short wooded trail leading from the Mount Arvon parking lot toward Michigan’s highest point.Forest path from Mount Arvon parking area heading toward the scenic overlook in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Photos: The Parking Lot | Trail to the Summit | Path to the Overlook

Hazy morning view from the Mount Arvon overlook showing dense Upper Peninsula forest stretching to the horizon.

Photo: Morning View from the Overlook—slightly hazy this morning

Alt Text (Highpointers Foundation Bench): Highpointers Foundation memorial bench at the Mount Arvon overlook surrounded by dense Upper Peninsula forest.Wooded connector trail between the Mount Arvon summit and overlook in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Photos: The Highpointers Foundation Bench at the Overlook | The Connector Trail

A Modest but Meaningful Summit

On the way to the summit, I ran into the two guys from the other SUV. They had camped overnight and described a “hairy” drive in the dark.

Again — daylight win.

The summit itself is modest. No expansive panorama, no tower, no dramatic cliffs.

But what you do find feels familiar and grounding:

  • The Highpointers mailbox and registry
  • A geomarker
  • A congratulatory summit sign
  • The Virginia Cleveland memorial plaque
  • Another Highpointers Foundation bench

The Virginia Cleveland memorial caught my attention. A quick search later didn’t reveal much about her connection, but the plaque adds a quiet layer of story to this otherwise understated place.

And sometimes, understated is exactly the point.

Smiling hiker standing beside the Mt. Arvon summit sign marking Michigan’s highest point at 1,979 feet in the Upper Peninsula.U.S. Geological Survey benchmark marker at the Mount Arvon summit showing elevation of 1,979 feet.

Photos: Summit Selfie with the “Congratulations” Sign | Geomarker at the Summit

Mount Arvon summit area featuring the Highpointers mailbox register, benchmark marker, and memorial bench in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula forest.

Photo: Mount Arvon’s modest summit, complete with another Highpointers Foundation bench

Sticker-covered Highpointers mailbox register at the Mount Arvon summit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.Memorial plaque for Virginia Cleveland at the Mount Arvon summit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula forest.

Photos: The Highpointers Mailbox and Register | Virginia Cleveland Memorial Plaque

The Return: Detours and Discovery

After revisiting the overlook, I started back down the logging roads.

The two guys soon caught up behind me, so I pulled over to let them pass. Shortly after, I made what felt like the inevitable wrong turn. The network of roads can get confusing quickly.

Fortunately, a bit of patience — and some backtracking — put me back on course toward Skanee Road and eventually L’Anse.

Part of the adventure.

Why Mount Arvon Is Worth It

Mount Arvon won’t wow you with altitude. It won’t deliver sweeping mountain vistas.

But it absolutely delivers on experience.

It’s remote. It’s quiet. It requires intention.

And for highpointers, there’s something deeply satisfying about a summit you have to earn.

If you’re chasing all 50, this one feels like a true Upper Peninsula adventure — not flashy, not crowded, just honest and real.

Tips for Your Trip

  • Print Those Directions: Seriously, print them. GPS can be iffy, and those logging roads can lead you on a wild goose chase.
  • SUV Recommended: Your sedan might make it, but you’ll enjoy the ride a lot more in something with a bit of clearance.
  • Bring Snacks: There’s no snack bar at the top, and trust me, you’ll want to sit and enjoy the view with a little something.
  • Leave Only Footprints: Mount Arvon is pristine—let’s keep it that way. Pack out what you pack in.
Printed step-by-step driving directions and GPS coordinates for Mount Arvon, Michigan’s highest point.Map showing route from L’Anse, Michigan to Mount Arvon with highlighted logging road access in the Upper Peninsula.

Photos: Step-by-Step Directions to the Summit Parking Lot | Map from L’Anse to Mt. Arvon

On to the Next Adventure

What’s Next

With summit #31 complete, I continued exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Next up was Tahquamenon Falls State Park — often called Michigan’s crown jewel of state parks.

But that’s a story for another day.

Catch you on the summit!

Date of Summit: 20 July 2024

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