Keweenaw Peninsula and Copper Harbor

The Keweenaw Peninsula was America's first copper boom area. Start in Houghton and Hancock, visit Calumet's mining heritage district, then drive M-26 along the lake to Eagle Harbor. Brockway Mountain Drive climbs to a high ridge before dropping to Copper Harbor and Fort Wilkins. Winters bring huge snowfall. It suits history fans, hikers and fall drivers.

The stops

1. Start

   Houghton, MI

2. Town

   Houghton

   Start, beside the Keweenaw Waterway.

3. Town

   Hancock

   Twin town across the lift bridge.

4. Historic

   Calumet

   Old copper-mining heart with a heritage visitor center.

5. Town

   Eagle River

   Waterfall and beach on Lake Superior.

6. Lighthouse

   Eagle Harbor

   Lighthouse and small museum complex.

7. Viewpoint

   Brockway Mountain Drive

   Ridge road with the best views of the peninsula (approx coordinates).

8. Historic · Overnight

   Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

   Restored 1844 army fort at Copper Harbor.

9. Hike

   Estivant Pines

   Old-growth white pine trails.

10. Back to the start

    Houghton, MI

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Copper Harbor

  Fort Wilkins State Park campground · Copper Harbor lodges

• Night 2

  Houghton / Hancock

  Houghton hotels · Hancock B&Bs

When to go

Mid-Jun–Oct; colour peaks late Sep; snow can arrive in October and linger

On the road

Heavy snow means Brockway Mountain Drive closes in winter. Services thin out north of Calumet.