7 COPPER HARBOR ATTRACTIONS YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE

This sleepy town is located literally at the end of U.S. 41 and is as far away from an interstate as you can get in the lower 48.  So what keeps bringing visitors back to Copper Harbor? Read on for our seven favorite local attractions (plus a bonus for those who make it to daylight's end).

COPPER HARBOR TRAILS

With more than 37 miles of the gnarliest, most scenic singletrack trails around, Copper Harbor is an IMBA Silver Level Ride Center (that’s pretty elite). Ride through forests, mountains, and along Lake Superior as you ride downhill tracks, flow trails, traditional cross country, and burly technical options. Need some advice on which trails to explore? Reach out to the Copper Harbor Trails Club for more info. Find equipment rentals and guides here.

BROCKWAY MOUNTAIN

Offering unparalleled views of the Keweenaw wilderness and Lake Superior, Brockway Mountain is one of Copper Harbor’s most beloved attractions. Visitors can opt to enjoy a scenic 9.5 mile stretch off M-26 between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor to enjoy the views, or climb the peak by bike and enjoy incredible downhill singletrack trails. In the spring, Brockway Mountain serves as a key stop along the annual North American hawk migration pathway. Visitors can enjoy viewing dozens of raptors soaring on upward thermals which help rest tired wings as the birds seek prey to power their journey.

Brockway Mountain Overlook, which is just outside Copper Harbor, is a destination for birding enthusiasts and fall colors photographers.

FORT WILKINS STATE PARK

Built in 1844 and abandoned just two years late, Fort Wilkins was once an active U.S. Army post constructed to keep the peace in Michigan’s Copper Country. Today, Fort Wilkins State Park reminds us of the challenges men and women went through to survive the Keweenaw’s wilderness and winters before the advent of modern-day conveniences. Through exhibits, audiovisual programs, and living history interpretation, visitors can explore the daily routine of military service, experience the hardships of frontier isolation, and discover the lifeways of another era. Don’t be surprised to run into a frontiersman, laundress, or military captain as you stroll the fort’s grounds.

ESTIVANT PINES NATURE SANCTUARY

This 570-acre sanctuary protects one of the last old-growth white pine stands in Michigan. Located just outside of Copper Harbor, visitors can explore some of the largest and oldest giant white pines, growing more than 125 feet tall and dating back 300 years. One pine was determined to have germinated around 1695 after a wildfire swept the ridge. Established trails help you explore this precious conservation site.

ISLE ROYALE QUEEN IV

Visitors seeking transport to Isle Royale National Park can enjoy a 3-hour ferry ride from Copper Harbor on the Isle Royale Queen IV.  Be sure to grab a thimbleberry doughnut from Jamsen’s Fish Market & Bakery for the journey across Lake Superior.

The Isle Royale Queen IV passenger ferry operates between Copper Harbor, Michigan, and Rock Harbor at Isle Royale National Park.

HORSESHOE HARBOR

At the tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, stunted shrubs and trees cling to ancient bedrock created by Lake Superior’s fierce winds, you’ll find Horseshoe Harbor at the Mary Macdonald Preserve.  A site more popular with the locals than visitors, it’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the effort.

BRICKSIDE BREWERY

Brickside Brewery is Michigan’s northernmost craft brewery. After a long day on the trails, visitors can enjoy a pint in this local hangout.  One of four Keweenaw breweries to enjoy, you’ll find this destination as low-key as it gets and packed with bikers (the human-powered kind) all summer long.

Brickside Brewery is Michigan’s most northern craft brewery.

BONUS ROUND

KEWEENAW DARK SKY PARK

Tucked away at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park is a stargazer’s dream. Centered around the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, it’s one of the few places in the Midwest where the night sky still shines without light pollution. You can spot the Milky Way, catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, or simply enjoy a peaceful night under a sky full of stars. The park is open daily from 7PM to 7AM - grab a stargazing map at the Outdoor Activities Center to find the best viewing spots, like Brockway Mountain Drive. Whether you’re into astrophotography or just want to sit back and look up, this park is all about keeping things dark, quiet, and awe-inspiring.