Suzy's Cave, Michigan, United States

4Steve5863 5:00 PM Jul 19, 2020

Perfect Morning Hike Before the Ferry Ride Back
While Suzy’s Cave is quite small and only marginally interesting, the 3.8 mile (6.1k) roundtrip hike from Rock Harbor is very pleasant and was just the right length to fill the time after breakfast and checking out of the lodge (the front desk will store gear) and returning for lunch before boarding the ferry to depart. The hike starts by taking the Rock Harbor Trail south for about 1.8 miles (2.9k) to the 0.2 mile (0.3k) connector trail marked by a sign for Suzy’s Cave to the right. The cave is located a very short distance after turning onto the connector trail. Continuing past the cave, one soon reaches the Tobin Harbor Trial and taking a right, heading in a northerly direction, one returns to Rock Harbor in 1.8 miles (2.9k). The Rock Harbor Trail portion is a little more difficult with some rocky areas and tree roots but provides excellent views and we saw a couple of loons and many mergansers as the trail runs parallel to the lake. The Tobin Harbor Trail portion is a bit easier and, while there are few views during this portion of the hike, it is a peaceful walk through a dense boreal forest. A bull moose is also known to frequent this area and while we did not see it the morning of the hike, we did see it the previous day near the Tobin Harbor Trail.

4parksvisitor 5:00 PM Oct 4, 2018

3.5 stars. Cave isn't much unless you are small and agile. Great views of Lake Superior.
We hiked from Rock Harbor along the Rock Harbor Trail, and then cut across the peninsula at the Suzy's Cave branch, and returned to Rock Harbor via the Tobin Harbor Trail. The views along Rock Harbor Trail are fantastic, and the lake breezes really help on a hot day. Suzy's Cave isn't really much, more of a deep overhang. The Lake Superior side is the main entrance that you can walk into a few steps before having to crouch down. There is a smaller rear entrance right along the trail as you pass the rear of the cave while making your way to the Tobin Harbor Trail. However you have to be young/small/flexible to be able to enter the cave through this entrance. Kids might enjoy the trail more because of this aspect. The Tobin Harbor Trail is heavily vegetated and forested, so the views aren't as frequent, although there is a resident moose that spends a lot of time in this area. If you want a reasonably quick and easy hike with some great lake views along the Rock Harbor Trail, this is a good trail. We happened to do this hike in the morning before boarding our ferry back to Copper Harbor in the afternoon, and it worked out perfectly timing wise.