Brimley, a small Upper Peninsula town nestled on Lake Superior’s Waiska Bay, west of Sault Ste. Marie, bustles with outdoor recreation, history, and lively entertainment options.
“We’re truly an awe-inspiring area that’s also full of culture, coastline, forested trails, important landmarks, and plenty of scenic drives and overlooks,” says Kai Gerster, tourism and development director for the Bay Mills Indian Community, a local Indian reservation made up of Ojibwa and Chippewa tribe members spread across Chippewa County.
Add into the mix the Bay Mills Resort & Casino, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year by opening another 135 guest rooms in January of 2026, and Brimley emerges as an inviting destination for a U.P. getaway. The 18-hole championship Wild Bluff Golf Course, with views of the big lake, complements the area’s draw.
Here’s a look at what I like about Brimley.
Roughly 2,000 feet of unspoiled Lake Superior shoreline is the main attraction at Brimley State Park, which features a large beach and observation platform. Looking east, you can see huge Great Lakes freighters in the distance entering and exiting the Soo Locks. Return after dark to see lit-up freighters parked overnight. Dogs are allowed along the park’s shoreline outside the designated swimming area.
A modern campground has 239 sites that are buffered from the Lake Superior shoreline by vegetation, while the southern and eastern boundaries are heavily wooded. If you’re interested in booking the campground’s mini cabin, which sleeps four, make sure to do it early!
In addition to kayak launch opportunities at the state park, other launch sites include Superior Park (which offers easy access to Waiska Bay), and the Waiska River and Bay Mills boat launches.
North of Brimley, Monocle Lake Campground serves as a convenient starting point for three scenic hikes.
Begin your adventures by taking the Monocle Lake Interpretive Trail, part of which follows a 1,000-foot boardwalk though a hemlock tree-filled lowland. After about a half mile, you’ll arrive at an intersection with Binnobin Trail. It ascends a sand dune and bluff for three-quarters of a mile via switchbacks to the Mission Hill Overlook, where hikers can take in jaw-dropping views of Spectacle Lake, Monocle Lake, Lake Superior, and Canada.
You can walk directly back to where the hike began, or go straight at the intersection with the Monocle Lake Interpretive Trail and continue around the lake to your starting point.
Also originating from the campground is a 1.3-mile section of the Spirit Stone Trail, which leads to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse. The entire trail runs 9 miles from Brimley State Park to the lighthouse.
East of Brimley is the Round Island Point Nature Preserve, featuring 9,000 feet of Lake Superior frontage and a 1.6-mile loop trail with an overlook.
The approximately 65-foot refurbished Point Iroquois Lighthouse beckons from the southern shore of Whitefish Bay. Visitors can climb 72 steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views of Lake Superior, the Canadian coast, and freighter traffic. A boardwalk leads to a stunning beach littered with colorful stones.
The site also features a museum detailing stories of lightkeepers and their families during the lighthouse’s 107 years of service (1855-1962). Interactive exhibits reveal the site’s fascinating history.
“Visitors can learn about tribal history through a new exhibit, Gnoozhekaaning (Place of the Pike), opening in 2026,” notes Chelsea Kallery, Hiawatha National Forest public affairs officer.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Brimley’s biggest attraction, boasts 17,000 feet of gaming space with nearly 700 slots and more than a dozen table games.
A significant expansion added 135 guest rooms with private balconies to the facility’s existing 140 rooms. The project also included the introduction of a full-service spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool with a splash pad, indoor and outdoor saunas and hot tubs, expanded dining options, and a family-friendly arcade.
Outside upgrades include new fishing piers, gardens, gazebos, and outdoor patios, along with marina improvements.
Dining options include Sacy’s, which is currently undergoing refurbishment and is slated to open this spring as an all-new all-you-can-eat buffet.
Back Bay Grill & Games offers elevated pub fare with a twist, including a signature pub burger with two 4-ounce Angus beef patties on a pretzel bun. The grill also has a daily breakfast buffet and an evening pizza buffet, along with a Draftkings Sportsbook area and regular live performances and comedy shows, plus about Golf simulators with access to nearly 100 virtual golf courses and a variety of practice ranges.
Camping within walking distance is available at Sunrise RV Park and Bay Mills Riverview RV Campground, which has direct beach access.
The resort’s Wild Bluff Golf Course showcases 18 picturesque, championship holes with sweeping views of Lake Superior. The par-3, 209-yard 15th hole, with its tee above the green, was voted one of the 10 most challenging holes in the state by Michigan Golf Live listeners.
Other dining options include The Loft restaurant, overlooking the 18th hole. Or indulge in favorites such as deep-fried whitefish and whitefish tacos at the waterfront Pickles Bar & Grill, which is also known for its ribeye and signature burgers. Pickles’ drink menu includes a staggering 100 beers.
Thousands of people attend the annual Bay Mills Pow Wow to watch traditional Native American drumming, dancing, and singing. There are also dancing and drumming contests, and plenty of food and craft vendors. The 35th annual event will take place June 26-28. 
