Hidden Gems Of the Copper Country Region

The Keweenaw area is full of recreational hotspots that we all know and love, including Hungarian Falls, Great Sand Bay, Mount Baldy, and Fort Wilkins, just to name a few.  These are justifiably some of the Keweenaw’s finest places to get out and enjoy our rich outdoor scenery.  Whether you’re visiting with family in summer or on a solo winter trip, you can’t go wrong with the tried and true favorites.

There’s so much more beyond the highlights, though.  With tens of thousands of acres of Michigan DNR land, countless nature areas, and over one million acres of Ottawa National Forest land within an hour or so drive of Houghton, there are nearly limitless places to discover.  Join Visit Keweenaw’s resident adventure expert, Nathan Invincible, as we explore some of his favorite hidden gems from around the region and across the seasons!

There's so much more Keweenaw to discover when you seek Hidden Gems! (Photo: Nathan Miller at Jumbo Falls)

A Case For Hidden Gems

Maybe you’ve checked a few classics off your list (nice work!) and you’re ready to see a new side of the Keweenaw. Maybe you’re craving a little more calm, a touch more quiet, or a trail that feels like your own.

If that sounds like you, we get it. Fortunately, there are plenty of places here where you can slow down, stretch your legs, and soak in those wide-open views. The hike might take a bit more effort and the destination may not be as well-known, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

Adventures with flavor. We’ve got the dip if you brought the chips.

Why You Should Trust A Guy Called Nathan Invincible

Nathan Invincible landed in the Keweenaw in a Suburban-shaped spacecraft in 2006 and hasn’t stopped exploring since.  Hardly a day goes by that he’s not poring over maps or digging up info on a new place to investigate.  From waterfalls to bluffs to mines and more, he’s determined to see EVERYTHING. In addition to hiking, biking, skiing, and paddling on practically everything, Nathan previously managed the Copper Harbor Trails Club for several years, worked at the Keweenaw Land Trust to create new nature areas, and taught students hiking and snowshoeing at Finlandia University, among other outdoor-related gigs.

Ever the generous guy when it comes to adventure recommendations, not only did Nathan offer some of his favorite off-the-beaten-track locations, but even deeper dives to explore as well!  Think of these as your Plan C to your Plan B.  Visit Keweenaw declined Plan D and beyond because those trips usually involve a swamp.

Firesteel Trestles

The Portage Lake Lift Bridge gets all the love for engineering marvels in the Keweenaw.  The three trestles over the East & West Branches of the Firesteel River are impressive in their own right.  Towering between 65’-85’ over the valley floor, each of these 500’+ spans offers excellent views out over the landscape.  The trestles can be found about 2 miles east of M-38 along the Bill Nicholls Trail, just outside the community of Greenland.  Snowmobiles and ORVs can visit easily, while gravel/mountain bikers and other non-motorized users will have to carefully share the trail in order to get to these historic wonders. Link to map here.

Looking for more?  The trestle above Agate Falls is even higher!  Find it on Trail 8 east of Bruce Crossing.

Winter brings incredible views for those that trek across the Firesteel Trestle. Try this spot out in fall for bird's eye autumn leaf peeping! (Photo: Nathan Miller)

Silver River Falls

A gem hiding in plain sight!  Silver River Falls in Keweenaw County is located at the western end of Brockway Mountain Drive.  Located within the Michigan Nature Association’s Mariner’s Preserve, Silver River Falls slides over exposed bedrock just downstream of M-26.  If you’re driving along this scenic stretch of road with your windows down, you might even hear it.  There’s a small pull-off on the west side of the bridge and a short trail that leads to the falls.  Once you know it’s there, you’ll wonder how you’ve skipped it this entire time.

Pro-tip: make sure you have the right Silver River Falls plugged into your GPS before you head out.  The Silver River in Baraga County has several waterfalls on it as well, while the Silver River in the Alston/Pelkie area mainly has downed trees.

Keweenaw Sandhills Nature Area

This Keweenaw Land Trust nature area is located along Five Mile Point Road just west of Eagle River.  With 1700’ of shoreline and 40 acres of inland forest to explore, there’s quite a lot to see!  The Lake Superior shoreline is exposed conglomerate and a steep sand dune, so don’t expect to lay out a towel in the sun.  However, hiking their new inland trail offers an abundance of sights and sounds that are rare this far north.  Hemlocks ring vernal pools chock full of wildlife, while high dunes are host to a variety of pines and other species that thrive in the dry soils.  Once inland, the road noise dies away and you’ll feel like you were deep in the wilderness.  Find maps here.

Head just up the road to KLT’s Jacob’s Creek Nature Area for even more backwoods scenery.  You can more easily access the shoreline, plus Jacobs Falls is right there for a sweet treat during their seasonal hours.

Peace and solitude await at the vernal pools of the Keweenaw Sandhills. (Photo: Nathan Miller)

Jumbo Falls

You’re guaranteed to have solitude at this remote but easily accessible waterfall.  Located a few miles south of Kenton in the Ottawa National Forest, this serene area is a welcome respite from the much busier and more well-developed sites nearby at Agate and Bond Falls.  Follow a short trail under mature hemlocks and cedars as the sound of the falls grows louder.  You’re rewarded with a beautiful view of the waterfall as it cascades over a rocky bend in the Jumbo River, making it a perfect place for a snack or picnic. Get directions here.

Not a long enough hike for ya?  Try out Duppy Falls, a few miles further south of Kenton off of FH-16.  The hike is tougher and not as easy to follow but there are several more rugged drops if you are prepared.

Middle Earth? No - Jumbo Falls! This Hidden Gem will surprise even the most seasoned travelers. (Photo: Nathan Miller)

Slate River Falls

The Slate River in Baraga County has several waterfalls along its length, primarily concentrated in the lower reaches that make up a portion of The Nature Conservancy’s Slate River Forest.  This amazing area is high in scenic value thanks to generations of careful stewardship that kept its forests intact and healthy.  A hiking trail along the top of the gorge will take you deep into the heart of the valley, from which you can trek down to the river to catch more than half a dozen unique drops with tumultuous rapids in between.  There’s a small pull off on Skanee Road (map) just after you cross the bridge over the river.

Need an easier waterfall hike with the potential for an ice cream cone afterwards?  Try the Falls River in L’Anse.  You can see ‘em from US-41!

These hidden gem waterfalls are a sight to behold - especially if you're a geology buff! (Photo: Nathan Milller)

Know Before You Go

Not so fast: there are some things you need to know before you go diving into the wilds of the Copper Country.  Many of these places don’t have reliable (or any) cell service.  Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.  Download a map before you get out there.  Bring some snacks, water, extra layers, and a pack to carry it all.  Haul out your trash with you and be sure to leave no trace during your visit - always practice Leave No Trace to better Love the Keweenaw.  We want to keep these hidden gems as pristine as possible so that future visitors get the same feeling of being in a wild place as you did.

Think you know the Keweenaw?

Let’s put that to the test - more Keweenaw Hidden Gems lie awaiting for adventurers to best. Somewhere between a Harbor overlook, the whispers of Finland in the wetlands, an open sky reclaimed, and a trophied mine that still hums with memory, four hidden gems wait to be found. Follow the clues, chase the stories, and earn your unofficial badge of honor as a true Copper Country explorer. Some secrets are too good to keep.