Keweenaw Copper Country: Scenic Exploration Drive Tour – , Michigan

EXPERIENCE

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Your adventure begins with a scenic drive up Brockway Mountain, the highest above-sea-level drive between the Allegheny and Rocky Mountains. Enjoy breathtaking views and exceptional birdwatching opportunities.

Next, head to Copper Harbor, the end of the road on the Keweenaw Peninsula. With only 150 permanent residents, Copper Harbor offers access to great beaches and world-class biking trails and serves as the launch point for the ferry to Isle Royale National Park.

Continue to Eagle Harbor, where you’ll find a charming 150-year-old octagonal lighthouse and museum. This historic beacon once guided mariners through Lake Superior’s dangerous waters, a reminder of the lake’s formidable power.

Your journey then takes you to Eagle River Waterfall, one of over 300 waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula. Enjoy the scenic beauty and get tips for other waterfall hikes, adding an extra layer of adventure to your trip.

Next, explore the Estivant Pines, a grove of ancient pines more than 300 years old and rising over 125 feet. This walking trail offers a taste of the grandeur typically found in the sequoias of the west coast.

Visit Fort Wilkins, a well-preserved Army fort from 1844. Local history re-enactors will guide you through this site, which was built to maintain peace between miners and Indigenous people. Admission is free, but a Recreation Passport is required to enter Fort Wilkins State Park.

As you drive along Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by area, you’ll be treated to beautiful volcanic rock formations and stunning vistas. Take time to beach comb or swim on a warm summer’s day.

Your next stop is the Quincy Mine, one of the best-preserved mines in Copper Country. Known as “Old Reliable” for its continuous profitability, the mine offers an underground tour and features the only cogwheel tram in the Midwest. Nearby, the ruins of Cliff Mine, the first profitable copper mine in the region, and the Delaware Copper Mine provide further insight into the area’s mining heritage.

Finally, indulge in delicious treats at The Jampot, a seasonal bakery run by monks in a beautiful woodland monastery. Enjoy boozy cakes, oversized muffins, and other goodies made with local ingredients.

This self-guided tour of Keweenaw Copper Country combines natural splendor, historical intrigue, and unique cultural experiences, making it an unforgettable journey through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

HIGHLIGHTS

Drive up Brockway Mountain for stunning views and birdwatching
Explore Copper Harbor’s beaches, biking trails, and ferry to Isle Royale
Visit Eagle Harbor’s 150-year-old lighthouse and maritime museum
Discover Eagle River Waterfall and hike to other nearby waterfalls
Tour the historic Quincy Mine with its unique underground experience

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