These Great Lakes views prove America’s freshwater coast rivals any

With more than 200 million tons of cargo gliding across their surfaces every year, the Great Lakes are a place of commerce. And perhaps of tragedy, too, with thousands of ships lost since Le Griffon and its load of furs disappeared into Lake Michigan in 1679.

More than anything else, though, they are places of beauty.

The Earth's largest freshwater system touches eight states and one Canadian province. Ask a devoted laker, and they'll tell you that the USA 250 Most Treasured Views could start and end within reach of its boundaries – with maybe an exception for the Grand Canyon.

Arch Rock on Mackinac Island, in Lake Huron along the Straits of Mackinac, is said to be 4,000 years old. Contrast that to Indiana Dunes National Park on Lake Michigan, only 50 miles from Chicago, which became the 61st of our 63 national parks in 2019.

Explore more amazing locations that helped define American history with USA 250 Most Treasured Views.

Indiana Dunes is bordered on its west side by a mammoth steel mill. Along the lakes, beauty can be found anywhere.

Read on to see images both world-renowned and largely hidden.

There's Niagara Falls, the mammoth connector between the four Upper Great Lakes and Lake Ontario. Its three falls, Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil, have posed for enough postcards to almost clog the Niagara River.

Then, there's Miners Castle, a rock formation in Michigan's lightly populated Upper Peninsula. It's part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, usually viewed best from Lake Superior, but visible here with no paddling required.

There are bridges, lighthouses, and even an amusement park and a skyscraper. What they all have in common is gasps of delight.

At Lake Huron: Arch Rock on Mackinac Island

Arch Rock is the most famous rock formation on Mackinac Island. The limestone rock forms an arch that is more than 50 feet wide. It's believed to be about 4,000 years old and to have been hollowed out by splashing waves when water levels were much higher, according to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

The formation stands about 145 feet above Lake Huron. Visit by climbing 207 steps from Lakeshore Drive or use a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage on Mackinac Island, which does not allow cars − Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press

At Lake Huron: Mackinac Bridge

Michigan's Mackinac Bridge, one of the state's most famous and recognizable architectural marvels, connects the state's Upper and Lower peninsulas. The ivory-and-green suspension bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, over a distance of five miles.

About 3,500 people worked on the bridge as it was constructed across the straits, with another 7,500 contributing at off-site locations, the Bridge Authority says. It opened in 1957. − Tanya Wildt, Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press

At Lake Huron: Turnip Rock

Turnip Rock, located in Lake Huron in Port Austin, is a favorite stop for kayakers and boaters. Wave erosion sculpted the limestone rock formation's base and created a "unique, gravity-defying pillar," according to the Greater Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. To see it, you have to go by boat for the 7-mile round trip. Turnip Rock is surrounded by shallow waters, sea caves and dramatic cliffs. − Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press

At Lake Ontario: Niagara Falls

The word "Niagara" comes from the Haudenosaunee word “onguiaahra,” meaning "the place of the Rapids." It translates to “a thundering noise,” referring to the sound of the falls.

That sounds about right. The natural wonder is a popular tourist destination, drawing about 8 million visitors to the U.S. side each year. A great viewing spot in Niagara Falls is Whirlpool State Park, a two-level, 109-acre park that overlooks the Niagara Whirlpool on the Niagara River and the lower Niagara Gorge. Tourists often visit for views of the whirlpool and rapids.

While you're at the falls, Three Sisters Islands offers scenic trails and panoramic views of the upper Niagara River and its rapids. The group of small islands was named for the daughters of Gen. Parkhurst Whitney, a War of 1812 veteran and early Niagara Falls businessman. − Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

At Lake Michigan: Cana Island Lighthouse

Cana Island Lighthouse is a Wisconsin gem. The lighthouse — with an 89-foot tower made of cream city bricks — has stood for more than 150 years. It's still in good enough condition for visitors to climb its staircase and look out over the lake. Visitors can climb the 97-step tower for a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the Door County peninsula. The lighthouse is open daily from May to October.

Aside from the scenery, getting to Cana Island is an adventure in itself. You can walk across a rocky causeway or take a complimentary wagon ride. But Lake Michigan water levels can occasionally block the causeway. − Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

At Lake Michigan: Hoan Bridge

Originally built in 1977 in honor of former Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan, the Hoan Bridge supports countless Milwaukeeans commuting to and from downtown each day.

The bridge is known for its bright yellow, steel tied-arch design and light displays that illuminate the western side of the bridge each night. More than 5,000 lights adorn the bridge, according to the nonprofit "Light the Horn," which organizes themes and sells dedications for the bridge's lights.

The group hosts an annual fundraiser featuring a boat parade, DJs, a kayak crawl, and last year's "Hoancoming" in August, which included a lakefront drone show. − Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

At Lake Michigan: Indiana Dunes National Park's expansive lake vistas

With sand between your toes, Lake Michigan gently lapping at its southern shore, and abundant birdwatching, Indiana Dunes National Park brings Hoosiers beach vibes without the full-day drive to Florida or the Carolinas.

Designated as a national park in 2019, this 15-mile stretch of sandy beaches, rising dunes and wildlife-filled marshes is unlike anything else in Indiana. Today's dunes, a 2 ½-hour drive north of Indianapolis, are the result of more than a century of struggle to preserve this ecologically diverse stretch of lakeshore from development and decline.

Park explorers can learn about the dunes' shifting sands, the Great Lakes ecosystem, and more through interpretative offerings, or just kick back and enjoy some sand and sun on a hot summer day. − Eric Larsen, Indianapolis Star

At Lake Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes

Looking down at the sand dunes and Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire is basically a rite of passage in Michigan. The national park features miles of sand beach and bluffs that tower 450 feet above the lake.

While the park covers more than 71,000 acres and includes other unique natural features, including more than 30,000 acres of wilderness, it's the sand dunes that get the most attention. − Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press

At Lake Michigan: Willis Tower

As the old Barbra Streisand song goes, “On a clear day, you can see forever.” 

Well, maybe not forever, but Skydeck Chicago at the iconic Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in Chicago offers the next best thing: Dramatic, breathtaking panoramic 50-mile views of Chicagoland, Lake Michigan, and up to four Midwestern states — Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. 

Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Dr., more than 1,300 feet above downtown Chicago, a unique standout feature of Skydeck is "The Ledge” — five transparent glass-floored balconies that extend outward 4.3 feet from Willis Tower and offer brave, adventurous souls one-of-a-kind views. 

In addition to its breathtaking vistas, the Chicago Skydeck also features an interactive, multimillion-dollar, world-class museum showcasing Chicago's rich history, architecture, and notable landmarks. − Eric A. Johnson, Special to the Rockford Register

At Lake Erie: Cedar Point

Cedar Point has earned the moniker of "America's Roller Coast." The Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park offers views of Lake Erie along with a pristine sandy beach. But it is the park's skyline that makes this view so treasured.

Cedar Point is home to one of the largest collections of thrill rides in the world, and many reach high into the sky. But for a calmer trip across the park, try the Sky Ride, which takes riders 92 feet high on gondolas for panoramic views of the park and Lake Erie. − The Columbus Dispatch

At Lake Erie: Marblehead Lighthouse

Ohio boasts some 18 lighthouses along Lake Erie and some are open for tours, like the one in Fairport Harbor. But one stands out as the most visited and photographed landmark in all of Ohio — the Marblehead Lighthouse.

The Marblehead Lighthouse holds the distinction of being the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. Since 1822, the lighthouse has guided boats to safety along the rocky shores of the Marblehead Peninsula. The working lighthouse is open for tours from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Visitors can take 77 steps to the top of the lighthouse to check out the view. − The Columbus Dispatch

At Lake Erie: Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park sits on a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula with Lake Erie on one side and Presque Isle Bay on the other. Located in Erie County in northwestern Pennsylvania and known to locals as “the peninsula,” Presque Isle provides plenty of places for stunning year-round views of nature and of structures built by humans.

Start at the park’s Tom Ridge Environmental Center, where visitors can climb stairs or ride an elevator up the 75-foot-tall glass-enclosed observation tower. The top offers views of Lake Erie and is a great spot for watching migrating birds in the spring and autumn. The peninsula arches to the north and east, causing its Lake Erie beaches to face west and north. All are good spots for seeing the sun go down but Sunset Point, as its name implies, is perhaps the best.

In addition to Sunset Point, one of the park’s most scenic and photographed spots is at the Presque Isle Lighthouse. First lit in 1873, it has a 57-foot-tall tower that is still operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lake Erie navigation aide. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public during regular park hours for free but there is a fee to climb the tower, which provides views of the peninsula and Lake Erie. − Erie Times-News

At Lake Superior: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boasts a 12-mile Lake Superior shoreline and nearly two dozen islands. It's also home to the largest collection of lighthouses in the national parks system.

The islands, which have deep connections to Ojibwe culture, sit in the northern portion of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula.

Visitors can take their own kayak or book a guided tour with an authorized kayak outfitter to explore the islands and mainland caves. Hikers can walk the mainland trail or trails on 12 islands. Campers can use 18 of the 21 islands and the mainland. − Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

At Lake Superior: Miners Castle at Pictured Rocks

Miners Castle in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of the most famous landmarks along the Pictured Rocks shores, according to the National Park Service. The rock formation was named by Englishman Alexander Henry's employees when they were exploring the area for minerals in 1771. Erosion has created the formations, which continue to change. Before 2006, Miner's Castle had two turrets, according to the National Park Service. In April that year, one of them fell into Lake Superior. − Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press

At Lake Superior: Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse, built in the early 1900s, sits on the far northeast corner of Minnesota and provides a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. It was built after more than 30 shipwrecks near its coast and helped boats transport crews and materials safely across the lake's rough waters for more than 50 years.

Split Rock Lighthouse was officially decommissioned and closed in 1969. The 1910 structure, including the lightkeeper's house, is open for visitors. − Alice Mannette, St. Cloud Times

USA 250 Most Treasured Views is a USA TODAY Network project exploring places across America with historical and cultural significance, created in celebration of the USA 250 initiative marking the nation’s 250th birthday.

Genae Shields, Alexandra Rivera and Steve Howe of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, and Dana Massing, Paul Kuehnel, Erie Times-News contributed.