Cut River Bridge | Upper Peninsula, Michigan
We hiked the Cut River Bridge, and it was super cool and very quiet 🙂 We got to hike up a ridiculous sand hill, then “run” back down it. Pure kid-level fun. Somewhere along the way, we even stumbled on a geocache without really trying 😄 And yes, the 264 stairs were a nice surprise 🤣 (I counted.) Oh, and there’s a troll door under the bridge. Because of course there is.
The Cut River Bridge carries US-2 across the Cut River Gorge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 147 feet above the water. The green steel truss bridge has views of Lake Michigan and the forest on both sides, and the roadside park on the east end has picnic tables and trailheads that take you under the bridge, along the river, and down to the lakeshore.
We took the stairs, all 264 of them, down through the trees to the mouth of the Cut River where it meets Lake Michigan. The trail is shaded and peaceful, with plenty of spots to stop and catch your breath (or take photos of the bridge towering overhead).
📍 At a Glance: Cut River Bridge
Location: US-2, about 25 miles west of St. Ignace, between Epoufette and Brevort, Michigan
Admission: Free
Parking: Lots on both ends of the bridge. The east lot is the main one. No stopping on the bridge itself.
Restrooms: Yes, and very clean ones
Big Rigs: Technically possible. The east lot has a loop, so you could do it, but you’d be parking across several regular spots. Off-season or a quiet weekday, maybe. A busy summer Saturday, I wouldn’t.
Time Needed: 1–2 hours if you do the stairs
The Stairs: 264 down to the mouth of the Cut River. Then 264 back up.
Our Cut River Bridge Photo Gallery
A Little History
Officially it’s the Heath M. Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge. Construction started in 1941, stopped for World War II, and it finally opened in 1947. It’s 641 feet long and one of only two cantilevered deck truss bridges in Michigan. The other is the Cooley Bridge in Manistee County.
Worth the Stop?
Yes. Going down 264 stairs is a nice walk through the woods. Coming back up is the workout. Plan accordingly, and say hi to the troll.
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