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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

March 2026 | Industry Newsletter

The Keweenaw’s visitor economy plays a vital role in our region’s quality of life and future prosperity. To keep local leaders and stakeholders current on issues impacting the industry, Visit Keweenaw created this monthly newsletter to share information on topics such as economic trends, destination and community investments, and other pertinent news.

We hope you find this a valuable resource to stay up to date on the Keweenaw’s visitor economy and encourage you to share it with parties you think would benefit from the information. As always, we look forward to sharing what makes the Keweenaw a special community to both live in and visit.

Within this newsletter, you'll find: 

 

Note from the Executive Director

Hello Keweenaw Partners,

As we embrace the beginning of April, there is a palpable energy across the peninsula. While parts of the Midwest are beginning to eye spring, the Keweenaw is doing what it does best: delivering world-class winter conditions and high-octane adventure.

The highlight of this late-season excitement is the newly launched Copper Country 100 XC snowmobile race in Houghton. This professional cross-country event came together through an incredible "all-hands" effort from local partners, including Moyle Racing, the Keweenaw and South Range Snowmobile Clubs, and our team here at Visit Keweenaw. With over 340 inches of snow recorded this season, the backcountry course is primed for a spectacular finale to our winter season.

Looking ahead, we are equally excited to host the Michigan Sustainable Tourism Summit this May at Michigan Tech. This regional forum will bring together industry leaders to explore how we can continue to grow our visitor economy while remaining rooted in the environmental care and authenticity that make the Keweenaw so special.

Thank you for your continued partnership in showcasing why the Keweenaw remains a premier destination for recreation and responsible tourism.

Stay snowy,

Brad Barnett, Executive Director

 

Michigan Sustainable Tourism Summit Starts in Houghton May 20

Visit Keweenaw will host the inaugural Michigan Sustainable Tourism Summit May 20–23 in Houghton, bringing together leaders from across the state and beyond to explore the future of responsible tourism. Registration is open NOW – get your spot reserved. The four-day event will focus on how the visitor economy can grow while protecting the landscapes, communities and cultural heritage that make Michigan worth visiting.

This first-of-its-kind summit positions the Keweenaw as a leader in sustainable tourism, with attendees traveling from around the region and internationally—including a featured speaker from the Isle of Man UNESCO Biosphere. Sessions, field experiences and community discussions will highlight real-world strategies around outdoor recreation, conservation, infrastructure and community-first tourism.

For local businesses and partners, the summit represents both immediate economic impact and long-term positioning—bringing new visitors to the area while reinforcing the Keweenaw’s reputation as a place where tourism supports, rather than strains, the community.

MSTS Banner

 

Copper Country 100 Delivers High-Speed Finish to Winter Season

The Copper Country 100 Snowmobile Race came through Houghton on Saturday, March 28, taking full advantage of the Keweenaw’s late-season snowpack and drawing riders and spectators out for a full day of racing across wooded terrain and historic mining landscapes.

After relocating from Ontonagon due to snow conditions, the event found ideal ground in the Keweenaw, where more than 344 inches of snowfall this season continued to support strong trail and backcountry conditions. Multiple race classes—from stock sleds to high-performance machines—kept the course active throughout the day, with viewing areas at Valley View Quarry and along the route offering high-energy access for spectators.

Supported by local clubs, partners and volunteers, the event showcased the strength of the Keweenaw’s winter recreation infrastructure and reinforced the region’s reputation for reliable late-season riding. For local businesses and the broader community, it’s another example of how winter tourism continues to drive activity even into the shoulder season.

Copper Country 100

 

Waterfall Week is Coming – Don’t Miss Out

Do you own a lodging establishment, restaurant or business that benefits from tourism? You should know Visit Keweenaw is making a new marketing push this season: Waterfall Week. Stay tuned for more details – but the weekend in early May will feature a digital waterfall pass for swag. Additionally, local conservation groups will lead guided hikes and businesses will offer waterfall inspired specials. If you would like to participate or have ideas, email jesse@visitkeweenaw.com or call (989) 551-3191.

The goal is to continue adding activities and more seasonal angles to inspire additional travel to the region in early spring/summer.

Keweenaw Waterfall Trail

 

Opening Day Media Trip Showcases the Start of Summer in the Keweenaw

Visit Keweenaw is leaning into spring in a big way with its upcoming Keweenaw Opening Day media trip, taking place May 13–16. Designed to capture the exact moment the season shifts, the four-day experience will bring travel media and industry partners to the Keweenaw to see summer as it begins—before the crowds arrive.

As snowmelt fuels waterfalls, Brockway Mountain Drive reopens, and trails and historic sites come back online, the trip is built around the stories that define early-season travel in the region. From waterfall season and dark sky experiences to Finnish cultural programming and Bird City conservation efforts, the itinerary highlights the depth and diversity of what’s shaping the Keweenaw right now.

For local partners, the Opening Day concept is both a storytelling and economic driver—positioning the Keweenaw at the front end of travel planning while hosting media who will share those stories with regional and national audiences. It’s a strategic push to grow shoulder-season visitation and ensure the Keweenaw stays top of mind as summer travel decisions are made.

“Come early. See it first.” That’s the idea—and it’s one more way Visit Keweenaw is working to bring visitors in while supporting the businesses and communities that make the destination what it is.

 

ServSafe Food Safety Training Comes to the Keweenaw June 2

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) will be hosting a ServSafe Food Safety Manager training and certification exam on June 2 at the Visit Keweenaw Welcome Center in Houghton.

This nationally recognized certification is a great opportunity for restaurant staff, hospitality teams, waitstaff, and food service managers to strengthen their food safety knowledge and earn their certification locally.

Registration can be found HERE.

 

Keweenaw Clean-Up and Community Cookout Returns May 16

The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) will host its annual Keweenaw Clean-Up and Community Cookout on May 16, inviting residents, volunteers and visitors to help care for trails, parks, beaches and roadsides across the county.

Participants can start at a location of their choice or check in at the KORC tent in Copper Harbor to be assigned a clean-up area. After a morning of stewardship, volunteers will gather at Donny Kilpela Memorial Park for a community picnic, group photo and raffle featuring prizes from local businesses and organizations.

This annual event highlights the strong partnership between recreation, community and conservation in the Keweenaw—helping keep outdoor spaces clean, welcoming and ready for the season ahead.

Volunteers pose for a picture with trailer of trash collected during a KORC clean up event.

 

Visit Keweenaw Calumet + Houghton Welcome Center Updates

Visit Keweenaw continues to operate both its Calumet and Houghton Welcome Centers as the region heads into the summer season. The Calumet location is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Houghton Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While the Calumet building is currently listed for sale, it remains fully operational as a welcome center. Staff are present in both locations on open days, assisting visitors with travel information, maps and recommendations.

Foot traffic continues to increase—particularly in Houghton—as visitor activity ramps up heading into peak season. Both locations play an important role in supporting travelers and connecting them with local businesses and experiences.

Visit Keweenaw will continue to share updates with partners as more information becomes available.

 

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