Copper Harbor, Michigan: Waterfalls, Hiking and More

1. Brockway Mountain Drive

• What is Brockway Mountain Drive?
  • Brockway Mountain Drive is a 9-mile-long scenic roadway offering breathtaking views of Lake Superior from up to 1,300 feet above sea level.
• Where is Brockway Mountain Drive located?
  • The road is located to the west of Copper Harbor and can be accessed from Highway M26.
• What can visitors see along Brockway Mountain Drive?
  • Pullout viewpoints allow drivers to stop and enjoy views of Lake Superior, Copper Harbor, and the surrounding woodland.
  • On clear days, visibility extends to Isle Royale, which is 50 miles from shore.
• When was Brockway Mountain Drive constructed?
  • The road was constructed in 1933 through a federal work program.
• Who is Brockway Mountain Drive named after?
  • The road is named in honor of Daniel Brockway, one of the original residents in this region of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

2. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

• What is Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
  • Fort Wilkins Historic State Park preserves an 1844 military outpost of the U.S. Army.
• Where is Fort Wilkins Historic State Park located?
  • The park is located in Copper Harbor, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior.
• How large is Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
  • The park spans 700 acres and includes historic military structures and natural landscapes.
• What historic structures can visitors see at the park?
  • The park includes the 1866 Copper Harbor Lighthouse, one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior.
  • The site features rebuilt and restored army structures, including:
    • Officer quarters
    • Married officer housing
    • Other structures that made up the early fort
• What unique experiences does the park offer?
  • The state park is staffed by army personnel in period costume, offering an immersive historical experience.
• When is Fort Wilkins Historic State Park open?
  • The park is open in the summer months for camping and historical tours.
• What facilities are available for visitors?
  • The park offers camping facilities, including:
    • Cabins and lodges
    • Tent, RV, and group camping sites
    • Picnic areas and modern restrooms
  • A boat launch is also available for visitors.
• When was Fort Wilkins added to the National Register of Historic Places?
  • The site was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

15223 U.S Highway 41, Copper Harbor MI, 49918, Phone: 906-289-4215

3. Manganese Falls

• What are Manganese Falls?
  • The Manganese Falls are a 45-foot-tall waterfall located near Copper Harbor, Michigan.
• Where are Manganese Falls located?
  • The falls are situated less than one mile south of Copper Harbor, off Manganese Road.
• When is the best time to visit Manganese Falls?
  • The falls are seasonal and are often dry in the summer months.
  • They are best viewed in the spring after the winter thaw.
• What is the source of Manganese Falls?
  • The falls are sourced by Manganese Creek.
• Why is visibility of the falls limited?
  • The crest of the falls is often obscured by trees and the narrow gorge they run through.
• Where is the best place to view Manganese Falls?
  • The best view is from the well-marked scenic point on the trail above the cliffs.
• How do visitors access the trail to Manganese Falls?
  • The trailhead is accessed off Manganese Road, located on the left half a mile south of Gratiot Street.
  • An alternate view is available from high above the falls on the opposite side of the creek.

9332 Manganese Rd, Copper Harbor, MI 49918

4. Steve Brimm Earth Works Gallery

• Who is Steve Brimm?
  • Steve Brimm is a Keweenaw Peninsula photographer and the owner of Earth Works Gallery in Copper Harbor.
• What is Earth Works Gallery?
  • The gallery displays and sells Brimm’s photographs of the natural world.
  • It also features items made by local artists inspired by the natural beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
• What is Steve Brimm’s background?
  • Brimm is a lifelong outdoorsman and a self-taught photographer.
  • He is passionate about promoting stewardship of the land by sharing his appreciation for its beauty through his photography.
• Where has Steve Brimm’s work been published?
  • His photographs have been featured in a coffee table book titled Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Spirit of Place.
  • His work has also appeared in several national and regional magazines and businesses.
• What types of prints are available?
  • Prints are available as postcards, as well as small and large-scale framed pieces.

Steve Brimm Earth Works Gallery, 216 1st St, Copper Harbor, MI 49918, Copper Harbor, MI, Phone: 910-319-1650

5. Keweenaw Adventure Company

• What is the Keweenaw Adventure Company?
  • The Keweenaw Adventure Company offers outdoor adventure tours and lodging in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Copper Harbor.
• What types of outdoor activities does the Keweenaw Adventure Company offer?
  • Visitors can tour Lake Superior by kayak.
  • Mountain biking is available on nationally known single-track trails in the surrounding hills.
  • Guests can take a guided hike with a trained eco-interpreter.
• What lodging options are available?
  • Lodging is available in the Adventure Company’s chalet, cabin, or cottage.
• Who founded the Keweenaw Adventure Company?
  • The company was founded in 1994 by Julie and Steve Brimm, along with partner Sam Raymond.
• What is Sam Raymond’s background?
  • Sam Raymond worked for over 12 years as the race director for the Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival.
  • He brings years of mountain biking expertise to the company.
• What is the mission of the Keweenaw Adventure Company?
  • The company’s mission is to be the hub for all human-powered recreation in the Keweenaw region.

155 Gratiot St, Copper Harbor, MI 49918, Phone: 906-289-4303

6. Isle Royale Queen IV

• What is the Isle Royale Queen IV?
  • The Isle Royale Queen IV is a passenger ferry that transports visitors between Isle Royale National Park and the port at Copper Harbor, Michigan.
• How long has the ferry service been in operation?
  • The family-run ferry service has been in operation since 1971.
• What is the history of the Isle Royale Queen IV?
  • The ferry was originally built in Louisiana in 1980.
  • It was used as a tour boat in New York Harbor before coming to Michigan in 2005.
• What are the specifications of the Isle Royale Queen IV?
  • The ferry is a 100-foot-long aluminum ship.
  • It is powered by three diesel engines.
• What amenities are available on board?
  • The ferry offers warm and comfortable indoor seating for the three-hour ride.
  • Guests can also choose to enjoy the views from the deck.
• How many ferry services operate to Isle Royale National Park?
  • The Isle Royale Queen IV is one of four passenger ferry services that serve the national park.
  • It operates as a concession service for the park.
• Are vehicles allowed on Isle Royale?
  • Cars are not allowed on the island, which is a designated national wilderness.

14 Waterfront Landing, Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918, Phone: 906-289-4437

7. Mariner North

• What is the Mariner North?
  • The Mariner North is a year-round resort located on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
• What is the history of the Mariner North?
  • The resort dates back to the early 1920s when it was originally established as an inn, restaurant, and bar called The Pontiac.
  • The current buildings were constructed in 1994 after a fire completely devastated the original property.
• What lodging options are available at the Mariner North?
  • The property includes two small motels, one of which offers a honeymoon suite.
  • Two-bedroom cabins are also available and include fully equipped kitchens.
• Does the Mariner North have an on-site restaurant?
  • Yes, an on-site restaurant is open to both guests and visitors.
  • The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, offering a menu that includes sandwiches, pizzas, steak, and Lake Superior trout.
• What views and recreational opportunities does the Mariner North offer?
  • Guests can enjoy stunning views of Lake Superior and the surrounding wooded areas.
  • The resort provides easy access to several outdoor recreation opportunities.

255 Gratiot Street, Copper Harbor, MI 49918, Phone: 906-289-4637

8. Harbor Haus Restaurant

• What is the Harbor Haus Restaurant?
  • The Harbor Haus Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant with a German and Austrian influence, located on the shores of Lake Superior.
• What type of cuisine does the Harbor Haus serve?
  • The restaurant specializes in German and Austrian-inspired dishes.
  • Meals are made from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, including fresh fish from Lake Superior.
• What drinks are available at the Harbor Haus?
  • The bar offers a robust selection of German beers.
  • Cocktails are infused with local berries.
  • The wine list is considered one of the most extensive in the region.
• What makes the dining experience unique?
  • Every table features picturesque views of Lake Superior through floor-to-ceiling windows.
• What traditions does the Harbor Haus maintain?
  • The wait staff dresses in traditional South German and Austrian costumes.
  • The team performs a traditional dance on the patio to greet the ferries returning from Isle Royale.

77 Brockway Ave, Copper Harbor, MI 49918, Phone: 906-289-4502