An Overlooked Michigan Attraction Is An Ethereal Icy Paradise Perfect For A Winter Bucket List

Cave systems can offer a unique thrill for a certain type of traveler. While many outdoor adventurers enjoy brisk hikes through a deep forest, daring mountaineering expeditions to a lofty summit, or epic boating trips out on the water, subterranean-minded travelers prefer to descend under the Earth's surface into a complex, underground world of rocks, fissures, and mysteries. Limestone cave systems often feature some of the planet's most unique rock formations. For adventurers who don't want to leave the surface too far behind, the world's most beautiful sea caves offer a distinctive blend of sun, sand, surf, and abundant subterranean wonders.

But what about a cave made primarily made of ice? Though it sounds like something you'd only find in a remote Alaskan glacier, you can actually visit a prime example of an ice cave right here in America's lower 48 states. During the warmer months, the cliffs at the Rock River Canyon Wilderness in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are a lovely, if standard, example of the region's natural beauty. But when winter temperatures drop below freezing, these cliffs transform into the extraordinary Eben Ice Caves, an ethereal icy paradise and one of the top hidden gems for a winter bucket list trip through the Great Lakes region. 

The area around the Eben Ice Caves is supremely beautiful no matter the weather. The "caves" and their adjacent cliffs are located in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness of the larger Hiawatha National Forest, a sublime woodland region near the city of Marquette. Marquette is both the largest city in the Upper Peninsula and the prime embarking point for the region's superb outdoor activities throughout all four seasons. During the spring and summer, warm weather allows for ample marine adventures on Lake Superior, while vibrant displays of autumn leaves make Marquette an underrated destination for gorgeous Midwestern fall foliage. 

The Eben Ice Caves are a prime example of the winter magic of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Despite their name, the Eben Ice Caves are not true "caves" per se. Rather, they are more like naturally forming corridors between the rocky walls of the cliffs and the massive icicles that form in the winter. The cliffs in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness primarily consist of sandstone, a type of rock prone to erosion under consistent water flow. When snow melts from the forest above, the water seeps through the sandstone and freezes. The result is a massive wall of titanic icicles along the cliff face. 

This impressive winter spectacle is certainly amazing to view from the outside. But if you're feeling particularly daring, you can also venture inside the natural "cave" that forms between the icicles and the cliff to experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of walking through a literal hallway of ice! (Be warned, though. As you can probably guess, the ground inside the ice cave is usually quite slippery.) 

The Eben Ice Caves are weather-dependent, so there's no definitive "best time" to visit. However, the caves most often form between January and early March, when winter conditions in the Hiawatha National Forest reach their crescendo. The main trailhead is located in the small community of Eben Junction, less than an hour's drive from Marquette and within reasonable driving distance of other major natural attractions in the Upper Peninsula, like the stunning Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the spectacular Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Though they're not a "waterfall" in the traditional sense, the Eben Ice Caves are a great (and convenient) stop on an awe-inspiring road trip tour of Michigan's many waterfalls. 

In the past, visiting the Eben Ice Caves meant parking on a remote backroad a good distance from the trail. Today, thanks to the generosity of local landowners, visitors have a convenient parking lot right near the trailhead. Accessing the trail is free, though there is a box to deposit the suggested $5 donation. From there, you'll have a roughly 1-mile hike before you get to the ice caves. 

The hike to the caves is moderately challenging, but winter conditions can make things even more slippery and precarious. It's a good idea to wear winter gear like crampons or ice cleats to get good traction on the icy trail. Hiking poles are handy as well, and thick winter clothing goes without saying. Even with the wintery conditions, the Eben Ice Caves are an out-of-this-world winter phenomenon and a prime example of why Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of the nation's best destinations for a snowy winter adventure.