As fall blankets the Keweenaw in vibrant color, it’s a great time to explore some of the best vistas and vantage points the Keweenaw has to offer. Take in panoramic views of vast Keweenaw forest as it stretches to the shores of Lake Superior. Grab your camera and get ready to discover some of our favorite spots to view the fall color from way up high!  

Brockway Mountain Drive 

Consistently ranked as one of the most scenic drives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Brockway Mountain Drive offers superior views of Keweenaw forest, the Big Lake, and the charming small town of Copper Harbor. This 8.8-mile scenic drive will take you to the top of Brockway Mountain where there are several places to park, stretch your legs, and take in the magic of the fall color.

Aerial view of Brockway Mountain Drive during Fall Color

Brockway Mountain Drive offers panoramic views of Keweenaw forest and Lake Superior.

Located between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, this stretch of road is the highest above sea-level drive between the Rockies and Alleghenies. This is also a great sunset spot and offers exceptional views of the night sky. Check out additional scenic drives here. 

Mount Baldy – Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve 

If you appreciate incredible views at the end of a good hike, Mount Baldy is for you! Find the trailhead on Eagle Harbor Cutoff Road and lace up your hiking boots for a 6-mile out and back hike. The hike up Mount Baldy is a steady 3-mile uphill climb. For the best experience, we recommend bringing along a backpack with some hydrating beverages and a snack to enjoy when you reach the summit.

Young woman viewing the vast wilderness in the KeweenawAfter a long hike to the top of Mount Baldy, you will be treated to incredible views of the Keweenaw.

Spend some time at the top of this unique bluff and take in the views of Keweenaw forestland, Lake Bailey, and Lake Superior. Pack a pair of binoculars and see what wildlife you can spot from the peak! For a truly immersive experience, we recommend listening to The Nature Conservancy’s audio tour of this preserve.  

Responsible Recreation Tip: Treeless openings result in rare plant species in this location. Thin soils cause shallow rooting and harsh conditions for this unique vegetation. Make sure to stay on trail to prevent damage to the vegetation, as these plants can take a long time to recover from excessive foot-traffic.  

Fall Color Chair Lift Rides

No snow needed to enjoy these chair lift rides! Mount Bohemia and Mont Ripley each host their own Fall Color Chair Lift rides so you can enjoy each unique autumn perspective! This family-friendly Keweenaw fall-color viewing activity allows you to see a bird's eye view of the Copper Country's landscape, especially perfect for those preferring low-impact outdoor activities. At Mount Bohemia, their summer-long chair lift ride naturally transitions to fall viewing, so head up to Lac la Belle for those incredible views atop this backcountry mountain. Afterwards, nothing can beat a sauna and cold dip at the Nordic Spa! Mont Ripley announces their annual fall color chair lift rides in later September, typically aligning with Michigan Tech's Parent's Weekend. Head to Ripley, Michigan for a sweet little ride up the hill to see a Rockwell-esque autumn view of Houghton and the Portage Canal. 

Visitors enjoy a ride on Mount Bohemia's chairlift with views of Lac La BelleMount Bohemia's Fall Color Chair Lift rides offer jaw-dropping views of Lac la Belle and the Keweenaw Peninsula.

 

Mount Horace Greeley  

Home of the former Calumet Air Force Station, Mount Horace Greeley stands at an elevation of 1,512 feet. It’s that highest point in the Keweenaw and can offer some incredible views of the peninsula. To get in, you will need to book a tour with Open Skies Project, LLC. Open Skies Project purchased the property in 2021 with the goal of restoring the property, preserving its history, and making it open to the public. 

This 1950’s era cold war radar base operated for nearly 40 years and included a housing cantonment area. When you book a tour, your guide will show you around the site, allowing you to enter various buildings to learn more about the history of the base. If you are okay with heights, your guide will even take you to the top of one of the old cellular towers where you will have the most expansive views of the Keweenaw Peninsula. With a pair of binoculars, you will be able to make out spots like Mount Bohemia, Lac La Belle, Calumet, and even the Quincy Mine! The views are panoramic and phenomenal. Please remember to book a tour before you go.  

Cliff View Trail 

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort offers over 12 miles of hiking trails in Lac La Belle, MI. The one that we recommend the most for this time of year is the Cliff View Trail. This easy to moderate hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. It winds through Keweenaw forest and offers scenic lookout points where you will have some of the best views in the Keweenaw.

Marked by blue cones and some signage, the Cliff View Trail should be easy to follow. If you need additional directions, staff inside the lodge are always willing to help. Wind down with a slice of pizza or a drink from Mount Bohemia’s North Pole Bar, then enjoy a soak in the Upper Peninsula’s largest outdoor hot tub at the Nordic Spa.  

Hungarian Falls Nature Area

Located in Hubbell, MI, the Keweenaw Land Trust's Hungarian Falls Nature Area offers an easy hike through vibrant forest to the Hungarian Falls. Follow the trail upstream to Upper Falls or downstream to view Middle and Lower Falls. As you explore the nature area you will also be treated to incredible views of Keweenaw forest stretching to meet Torch Lake. If the water is low, you will be able to cross the river at various points around Upper and Middle Falls. The trails on the other side of the river offer some of the most expansive views of fall color. Be sure to navigate this nature area carefully, as there are some steep cliffs and drops offs. 

Silver Mountain 

South of Houghton in the Ottawa National Forest is a hidden gem known as Silver Mountain. Named after the Silver River, this massive outcrop of basalt rises over 250 feet above the surrounding landscape. The top of the mountain is only 0.9 miles from the parking area and is considered to be an intermediate-difficult climb over rugged terrain.

Hiker with dog on top of Silver Mountain overlooking forest.

Although our photo was not taken during the fall, you can imagine how beautiful it would be once those leaves begin to change!

Once you make it to the top of the rocky outcrop, you will be treated to incredible views of Prickett Lake and the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area. Check out our Guide to Hiking the Keweenaw’s Silver Mountain for more hiking tips and a brief introduction to the geological and mining history of this location.  

Fall Color Aerial Tour

view of a fall landscape from the window of a seaplaneA sunset view of the blossoming autumn fall colors across the Keweenaw from the Isle Royale Seaplane window.

Seated in a seaplane more than a thousand feet in the air overlooking a sea of red and gold trees could arguably be the best vantage point for Keweenaw fall color viewing. Aerial Fall Color Tours with Isle Royale Seaplanes will take you on a flight over the Keweenaw Peninsula - starting along the Portage Canal to the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entry, up the shoreline just near Eagle River, across the peninsula to Mohawk, over Lake Linden, and ending over Dollar Bay. These 30 minute seaplane flights give you jaw dropping perspectives of the Keweenaw Peninsula jutting into Lake Superior, sometimes even spotting Isle Royale on the horizon. This eagle eyed perspective can be booked with Isle Royale Seaplanes - check their website for season dates and availability.