Trails around Copper Harbor

Brockway Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary

The Oren Krumm Trail is a 0.75-mile trail that according to the Michigan Nature Association if moderately difficult with gently rolling hills to steep inclines. It can be reached by following M-26 north out of Eagle Harbor several miles until driving just past the Silver River bridge and then turning up the Brockway Mountain Drive for 2.5 miles. Watch for a large sign on the north side of the road. A trail map and brochure may be found in a weatherproof box at the trailhead. A Lookout Point is located on a short Outlook Spur Trail

Keweenaw Shore Nature Sanctuary

A 1.5 roundtrip trail considered to be easy to moderate with flat to rolling hills goes from M-26 to Brockway Mountain Drive.  From Eagle Harbor follow M-26 north for about 6 miles to the Esrey Park roadside picnic area along Lake Superior.  Trailhead begins just south of Esrey Park on the opposite side of M-26.  Short but many varieties of plants can be found here.

The Upson Lake Nature Sanctuary trailhead is about 400 feet south of where the Keweenaw Shore Trailhead is located on Brockway Mountain Drive. To get there from Eagle Harbor, follow M-26 north about 6 miles to Brockway Mountain Drive.  Stay to the right and proceed on Brockway mountain drive about a mile until you see the MNA sanctuary sign. The first part of the Upson Lake trail follows an old road to Upson Creek on an old beaver dam which may be challenging.

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Eagle Harbor Township Conservation and Recreation Area

10-miles of trail, with several loop options, await the hiker.  The trails are considered easy to moderate along a flat and rolling terrain.  Maps are posted at all intersections.  Eagle Harbor Township is the owner of the trail system.  The trail is open to hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.  To reach the trails, go to Eagle Harbor and turn left on Pine Street and drive several blocks, past Seventh Street and the Pine Grove Cemetery, to the trailhead near Eliza Lake Park.  Park along the street.  Included within area is the Cy Clark Memorial Nature Sanctuary and the Eagle Harbor Red Pine Nature Sanctuary.  Both Long Lake and Eliza Lake are contained within the Recreation Area.

‍Estivant Pines Wilderness Sanctuary

Trailhead divides into two separate trails, the Bertha Daubendiek Memorial Grove Loop Trail is 1.2 miles and the Cathedral Grove Loop Trail is 1.0 miles. Complete trail system is 2.5 miles. The trail is considered moderate and the terrain is rolling with rock outcroppings, exposed roots, some boardwalk, and some unsteadying footing. To get there follow US 41 through Copper Harbor and turn right on 2nd Street at the Community Center and sign for Manganese Lake. Follow Manganese Road for 1.2 miles and turn right on Burma Road (look for signs for Estivant Pines. Travel another 0.65 miles to the trailhead and parking area on the left. Wonderful tall virgin pines are sprinkled along all the trails.

Fort Wilkins State Park and Lake Fanny Hooe

There are plenty of trails located at Fort Wilkins State Park. These trails go around Lake Fanny Hooe and from the park over to Lake Superior, not to mention plenty of trails within the boundaries of the park. This is one of the favorite places for family friendly easy hiking. You will find plenty of Thimble Berry bushes around the park as well.

‍Helmut and Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy

This 6-mile roundtrip is considered difficult and is a steady uphill climb.  About 1.5 miles from the parking lot follow the trail markers to the start of the Nicole Blook Memorial trail that leads to the top of Mt. Baldy.  Directions: From Houghton, follow US-41 north for about 25 miles and turn left onto the Eagle Harbor Shortcut Road for approximately 5 miles.  Turn right on to a gravel two-track next to a large preserve sign marking the access road into the preserve.  Follow signs to gravel parking area at the sandpit located about 1000 feet off the Eagle Harbor Shortcut Road.  This preserve contains one of the largest and least disturbed of only a handful of balds remaining in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
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Hunter’s Point Park

This trail system contains 2 trailheads: 0.9 mile loop from Harbor Coast Lane; 1.25 mile loop from the Copper Harbor Marina.  The trail is considered moderate over a flat, uneven trail surface with exposed roots, rocks and loose gravel.  The Harbor Coast Lane trailhead can be reached from the blinker light in Copper Harbor at the intersection of M-26 and US-41.  Drive west on M-26 about 0.7 miles (0.3 mile past the Copper Harbor Marina) and turn right onto North Coast Shores Road.  Drive north to Harbor Coast Lane and turn right: drive 0.3 mile to the main parking area and trailhead.  The South Shore Trailhead starts at the marina.  The trails offer many scenic overlooks and provide access to ½ mile of rocky beaches.  A must hike when visiting Copper Harbor.

James H. Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Brockway Mountain

A short 0.75 mile loop trail that is considered moderate on gently rolling hills.  To get there at Copper Harbor intersection of M-26 and US-41 head south on M-26 for about a mile and turn left onto Brockway Mountain Drive.  Drive another 3 miles to the trailhead marked by an MNA sanctuary sign on the right side of the road.  Offers a good view of Lake Superior.

James Dorian Rooks Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Garden Brook

This is an easy 2 mile roundtrip trail at the base of the eastern side Brockway Mountain.  Follow US-41 35 miles north of Calumet to Copper Harbor.  About .25 miles past the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge entrance, and 0.5 miles before the intersection of US-41 and M-26 in Copper Harbor, look for the MNA sign on the left (north) side of the highway and park in the designated parking area at the trailhead. 

Keweenaw Point Trail

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Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Hiking and Cross Country Ski Trail

One of the best guides to take with you when you explore the Keweenaw on foot is the Walking Paths & Protected Areas of the Keweenaw (3rd Edition). This guide can be purchased at the Lodge or in gift shops, outfitters, and visitors’ centers throughout the Keweenaw. You can also learn more about the book and order it directly from the Michigan Nature Association.

Walking Paths features 27 publicly accessible nature and wildlife sanctuaries, preserves, and parks located in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Each entry includes natural history information, trail descriptions and maps, level of difficulty, distances, and directions.

Check out the following hikes from Walking Paths that are easily accessible from the Lodge. Each of the hikes spotlight the rugged, natural beauty of the Keweenaw-refer to the guidebook for additional detail and other great hikes!

The image below is on a big billboard at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and contains many of the hiking and biking trails in and around the Mountain Lodge and Copper Harbor. I actually have a photo of this billboard.  See below how the Mountain Lodge embedded the individual maps for the hiking trails.  I believe we can do the same thing.  These images are in the Walking Paths book.

Lake Baily Wildlife Sanctuary

The 2-mile trail is considered moderate with exposed rocks and roots and a steady uphill climb.  It can be reached by following M-26 north out of Eagle Harbor and drive until just past the Silver River Bridge and look immediately for a sign on the south side of the road for the parking area.  The first part of the trail passes through a white cedar bog and enters a dry oak forest.  A great variety of plants have been catalogued in the Sanctuary. 

‍Mary Macdonald Preserve at Horseshoe Harbor

A moderate 1.6 roundtrip trail on flat terrain can be found by following US-41 through Copper Harbor and continue about 2.5 miles northeast until the pavement ends.  Continue east on the dirt road 0.9 miles to a narrow two track heading left (north).  May leave car here and proceed on foot or travel with high clearance vehicle for 1.2 miles to the trailhead sign and park on the right (south) side of the road.  0.3 miles from trailhead to lakeshore and enjoy the 1,433 acre preserve.

Montreal River Falls Trail

Drive north from Houghton on US-41 about 40 miles.  Eleven miles south of Copper Harbor.  Turn right at the sign for Lac La Belle and Mount Bohemia ski resort.  Drive about 5 miles and turn left on the Bete Gris Road and drive about 2 miles to the Smith Fisheries Road (unpaved) and turn left.  Travel another 2.5 miles bearing to the right pass the parking area marked with an MNA sanctuary sign for Bear Bluff and then continue on for another 1.5 miles to the end of the road.  There will be various places to park.  Walk down towards the lake for the trailhead to the falls.  Trail is approximately 1 mile.  Trail is easy to moderate, with some logs that will need to be stepped over and a few slippery spots when wet.  

Redwyn Dunes Nature Sanctuary

A 1-mile loop on flat to rolling terrain and considered an easy trail.  Follow M-26 3.5 miles north of Eagle River or 4.5 miles south of Eagle Harbor. Look for MNA sign on east side of M-26 along Great Sand Bay marking the trailhead.

‍Russell and Miriam Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Bare Bluff

A must hike for the avid hiker. Trail is considered difficult with very rugged, rough terrain with steep slopes and share drop-offs. Distance is 3 miles, but hikers should allow for 3 hours to hike this trail. Direction: Drive north from Houghton on US-41 about 40 miles. Eleven miles south of Copper Harbor. Turn right at the sign for Lac La Belle and Mount Bohemia ski resort. Drive about 5 miles and turn left on the Bete Gris Road and drive about 2 miles to the Smith Fisheries Road (unpaved) and turn left. Travel another 2.5 miles bearing to the right, to the parking area marked with an MNA sanctuary sign. The first half mile is a logging road which takes you to the trailhead sign. This is a loop trail which can be hiked in either direction. Bear Bluff rises 588 feet above Lake Superior and gives spectacular views of the eastern side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. BEWARE of Dangerous Drop-offs, especially for children.