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Keweenaw's Explorer Blog

October 2025 | 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: 

 

A Note From The Executive Director

Hey Keweenaw Partners,

As the leaves finish their stunning display, we're wrapping up what's been a strong fall visitor season! It's clear our strategy to enhance shoulder-season demand is working, and your partnership is vital to that success. On the heels of fresh visitor spending impact numbers for 2024 (which grew!), we’re thrilled to close out the season on a strong note.

We're also proud to have been instrumental in the formation and launch of the Houghton Canal Colors Festival and in supporting the new Wolf's Head Halloween Film Festival in Hancock. Events like these are crucial for driving traffic and, most importantly, generating those essential room night demands which drive visitor spending across the region.

Our commitment to building a better visitor experience continues through the off-season. We're excited to see the final projects wrap up on several Destination Development investments we've made in Hancock, Calumet, and other communities across the Keweenaw. These improvements ensures our destination remains world-class while creating experiences for visitors and locals alike.

Looking ahead to the snow! It's time to prepare for the winter and holiday travel season.

We're thrilled to shout out that Mount Bohemia is once again in the running for USA Today's 10Best Ski Resorts in North America. This kind of national recognition is invaluable for raising the profile of the entire Keweenaw, and we encourage everyone to show their support!

Here's to a successful transition to a busy and beautiful winter season!

 

Creekside Trail & Bike Park

Destination Development at work - the newly opened Creekside Trailhead is already drawing riders (big and small)!

 

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Reports Increased Visitor Spending in Houghton + Keweenaw Counties

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has released its annual visitor spending impact report, showing continued positive growth for Houghton and Keweenaw Counties in 2024. This new data reinforces tourism's role as a key economic driver for the region, supporting local businesses, jobs, and tax revenue.

According to the report, visitor spending in the Keweenaw region—the combined total for Houghton and Keweenaw Counties—reached $130 million in 2024, up from $126.5 million in 2023.

HOUGHTON COUNTY 

Houghton County saw its visitor spending grow to $104.5 million in 2024, representing a 2.6% increase from the prior year. Visitor spending in the county has grown by 43.3% since 2019. This spending resulted in:

  • Tourism-supported labor income of $35.9 million in 2024.
  • The generation of $10.6 million in state and local tax revenue.
  • The support of 865 direct jobs.

KEWEENAW COUNTY 

Keweenaw County's visitor spending also showed an increase, reaching $25.5 million in 2024, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. The county has seen a 13.8% increase in visitor spending compared to 2019. The report indicates that in 2024:

  • Visitor spending contributed $9.8 million in tourism-supported labor income.
  • Nearly $2.7 million in state and local tax revenues were generated.
  • The tourism sector supported 193 direct jobs, approximately 33.9% of the County’s employment.

REGIONAL IMPACT

"The continued growth in visitor spending is a testament to the hard work of our local businesses and the appeal of the Keweenaw as a four-season destination," said Brad Barnett, Executive Director of Visit Keweenaw. "Tourism is a cornerstone of our local economy, fueling growth, creating jobs, and providing essential tax revenue that benefits all residents."

The report highlights that the tourism economy not only drives direct spending but also provides broader community benefits, including:

  • Local Job Creation: The tourism industry supported 1,058 direct jobs in Houghton and Keweenaw counties combined in 2024. An additional 509 jobs in sectors like healthcare, construction, and government services are also supported by visitor spending. 
  • Reduced Tax Burden on Locals: The combined visitor spending in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties generated $13.3 million in state and local tax revenue to support public services, road maintenance and public safety.
  • Quality of Life: Investments in trails and other outdoor infrastructure, youth sports, historical preservation and local culture are supported by tourism, enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

 

Canal Colors Festival Debuts in Houghton

Canal Colors Festival turned downtown Houghton into a vibrant fall atmosphere for the weekend of Oct. 3-4. The umbrella event name combined Brew Street, Plaidurday, Keweenaw Color Run and Fall Fest into one large combined schedule. Combining the events into one whole weekend encourages more room night stays, and helps increase the effectiveness of marketing. The goal was to help locals and visitors think of the weekend as one large joint effort, instead of four separate events.

Brew Street kicked off the weekend behind the Keweenaw Brewing Company, raising one dollar for the Carnegie Museum on every Houghton Social District pint sold. Historically, Lakeshore Drive was often referred to as “Brew Street” on maps. This fundraiser event raised over $600 for the Carnegie. For the Plaidurday Photo, over 300 attendees came in their best flannels sporting plaid.

The Keweenaw Color Run took place on Saturday morning, going from the pier to Michigan Tech’s campus and back. Fall Fest brought tractor rides, kids game and apple cider pressing to the waterfront where families attended and enjoyed the activities.

Next year, the Visit Keweenaw team plans to grow the festival and encourage other communities like Hancock to host additional Canal Colors Festival activities across the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

Plaidurday 2025

New location, same great vibe! Plaidurday 2025 

 

Mount Bohemia Aiming For #1 Spot In North America (Again)

The Keweenaw’s own Mount Bohemia Ski Resort is once again in the national spotlight, competing in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Ski Resort in North America. After finishing #2 in 2024, Bohemia is aiming to reclaim its #1 title—and your daily votes will make the difference!

As the only Michigan resort on the ballot, Bohemia is going head-to-head with major destinations in Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia. Voting is open now through Monday, Nov. 10 at noon ET, and fans can vote once per day at 10best.com.

Known for its expert-only terrain, deep powder, and wild backcountry vibe, Bohemia averages over 270 inches of annual snowfall and features Michigan’s tallest vertical drop (900 ft). The resort also debuts a new mineral pool and expanded steam room this season.

Let’s keep the Keweenaw on the map—vote daily and help bring the #1 title back to Bohemia!

 

Skier in fresh powder at Mount Bohemia.

The Keweenaw is the Midwest's powder frontier - let's make it official!

 

Wolf’s Head Film Fest Howls Over New Weekend In Hancock

Hancock’s historic Orpheum Theatre came alive Oct. 24–25 for the inaugural Wolf’s Head Film Festival, drawing more than 80 film lovers for two nights of indie horror shorts, full-length documentaries, cult classics, live music, and even late-night karaoke. The event brought a fresh creative energy downtown, proving that the Keweenaw has an appetite for cinema that celebrates both independent storytelling and the region’s wild sense of place. Wolf’s Head was made possible through a sponsorship from Visit Keweenaw and brought a new type of traveler to the area. 

From short screenings at the Orpheum to VIP tours and a film in the Quincy Mine, Wolf’s Head added a fresh experience to fall. Film festivals are rising in popularity, and people will travel a long distance to be a part of them. The event was intentionally positioned on the calendar to create a destination event for late October travel. It also introduces professional filmmakers to the area, an opportunity to entice return travel and filmmaking opportunities.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who came out and made the first Wolf’s Head Film Festival such a success — and to Visit Keweenaw for their incredible sponsorship and support,” said Festival Director Amanda Makela. “The energy inside the Orpheum was electric—people were laughing, gasping, and cheering together. It reminded us that the Keweenaw is hungry for film and creative community. Wolf’s Head will live on—bigger, bolder, and even weirder next year.”

The success of Wolf’s Head set the stage for an even larger, more immersive festival next year—one that cements the Keweenaw as a magnetic hub for film, art, and adventure at the edge of Lake Superior.

 

Movie in the Mine WHFF

Filmmakers and VIPs were surprised to an exclusive screening deep inside the Quincy Mine during the weekend's festivities!

 

Visit Keweenaw Office Update

The Visit Keweenaw team has been busy for the past week turning the beautifully renovated Rhythm building in downtown Houghton into our new headquarters.  This new space will allow Visit Keweenaw to increase our support of travelers as they begin their Keweenaw experience while also improve the teams ability to engage members, community partners and media.

Visit Keweenaw is planning an office-warming celebration in November to welcome the community. The new welcome center for visitors preserves many original features, thanks to LJJ’s careful renovations, and we can’t wait to show it off. In the meantime, we’re adding those finishing touches and branding the space with Visit Keweenaw’s unique flair. The visitor center in Calumet will remain open, just with slightly reduced hours. More details coming soon!

 

Destination Development Projects Update

Visit Keweenaw’s Destination Development Fund is paid for by room night stays at Visit Keweenaw lodging member properties. Each year, this fund is opened for applicants looking to get matching money for projects that benefit the region for visitors and residents. A few noteworthy projects supported by the Fund have made major strides this summer.

In Hancock, the Creekside Trailhead and Bike Park is turning the town into a trails hub. Now, bike riders of all ages have a new space close to the Portage Canal to build their skills and enjoy a fun park. One main feature is a few hundred foot tall flow trail that runs down the hillside. This scenic vista is a must-see, even for hikes on foot. It’s an access point to the Maasto Hiihto trails and also incorporates jumps, wooden bridges and trail features meant to build two-wheel confidence.

In Calumet, the Keweenaw ATV Club and Keweenaw Snowmobile Club just wrapped up a long-term project that will benefit trail grooming from Toivola to Copper Harbor. It will also serve as a major hub for repairs on both clubs' equipment. The new groomer facility will house several of the club’s groomers in a more central location – just ahead of the upcoming winter. It also features a large area for trailer parking and even chargers for electric vehicles. The new groomer barn is located near the Swedetown Trails and directly next to a large historic trestle leading the trail into Calumet.

Keweenaw Land Trust recently utilized a Destination Development Fund Award to make improvements at the Boston Creek Nature Area.

“We had to find a way to get visitors across the creek and into the beautiful, forested area of the Nature Area,” said B Lauer, Keweenaw Land Trust Executive Director. “We are so grateful for the tremendous volunteer effort that made this boardwalk, bridge, and trail possible. Thanks to the dedicated leadership and work from a handful of individuals, led by Mark Roberts, over four tons of lumber were transformed into stairs, a bridge, and a boardwalk that serve as a gateway to your experience traversing the new trail. The generous Destination Development grant we received from Visit Keweenaw made all this possible.”

 

Boston Creek Nature Area Bridge

The Boston Creek Nature Area is rich with views and scenic landscapes!

 

Holiday Events Coming Up From North To South

Houghton

The 41 North Film Festival takes place Nov. 6-9 at the Michigan Tech Rozsa Center for the Arts. This free, public event showcases award-winning independent films and filmmakers from around the region, country, and world.

Each screening explores important topics of our time while inviting audiences to engage, reflect, and discuss. The festival also features special Q&As with filmmakers, including a session with Jimmy Chin, acclaimed director, photographer, and climber known for Free Solo and Meru.

Whether you come for one film or the full weekend lineup, it’s an incredible opportunity to experience world-class cinema right here in the Keweenaw. No tickets required—just bring your curiosity and enjoy.

Learn more or volunteer at 41northfilmfest.org.

Hancock: 

The Hancock Christmas Walk takes place Friday, Nov. 28. Kick off the holiday season in Hancock the day after Thanksgiving from 6-8 p.m. with plenty of festive cheer for families. Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive at 6 p.m. to lead the Christmas Parade, followed by a tree-lighting ceremony at Veterans Park. Enjoy cookie decorating, face painting, hot cocoa and a free gift for kids while exploring downtown.

Quincy Street will close to traffic at 5 p.m., so bundle up and enjoy an evening of shopping and celebration as Hancock businesses stay open late with holiday specials and treats. The Christmas Walk is coordinated by the Hancock Business and Professionals Association.

Lac La Belle:

Embrace the magic of the longest night of the year at Mount Bohemia’s Winter Solstice Celebration, happening Saturday, Dec. 20. From daytime relaxation to late-night revelry, it’s the perfect blend of heat, snow, and celebration in the Keweenaw’s wild winter landscape.

Enjoy a full day at the Nordic Spa (open noon–midnight), evening chairlift rides under the lights (5–8 p.m.), bonfires, music, and a festive atmosphere capped with solstice surprises—including a few friendly competitions, toasts, and group fun in true Boho style.

The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Guests must sign Bohemia’s online waiver before arriving.

Wrap up the year with a winter experience like no other—saunas, snow, and celebration at Mount Bohemia. More details will come out online soon to enjoy the free spa pass and entry at Bohemia.

New Hancock Lights the Night: 

Hancock is getting even brighter into the holiday season. Hancock Lights the Night transforms the Hancock Campground into a magical drive-through light display, thanks to support from Visit Keweenaw’s Destination Development program ($15,300).

Local organizations, businesses, clubs and families have adopted campsites to create dazzling, one-of-a-kind displays of light. Visitors and local residents will be able to drive through the campground as a winter lights attraction through the season. There will be special themed weekends planned for an extra touch of sparkle.

This community-wide effort invites everyone to take part – volunteering, decorating or just enjoying the lights. Let’s keep the glow right here in Hancock and make it a holiday tradition to remember.

 

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