It’s time to explore the Keweenaw Peninsula, one of Michigan’s most hidden gems! Not only is it one of the furthest locations up north of The United States Of America, but it is a four-season adventurer’s dream.
My husband and I live right at the bottom of the Keweenaw Peninsula, just north of the town of Pelkie on our 80-acre homestead. In fact, you can read all about our homesteading adventures here!
We never intended to live here, but now that we’ve settled into our forever home, we can’t believe we had never visited the area sooner!
The whole Upper Peninsula of Michigan is gorgeous, from breathtaking waterfalls to beautiful beaches and endless snow trails. But the Keweenaw Peninsula takes the top when it comes to a majestic getaway, in our opinion.
Let’s get started on how to explore the Keweenaw Peninsula…
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WATERFALL DAY TRIP
If you’re looking for a day trip exploring waterfalls in the area, then be sure to follow this guide! You’ll pass some other top sites on your way too.
Starting at the bottom of the peninsula and working your way up, your day will be packed but oh, so fun!
This route is best taken from May through October when the waterfalls are in full force and all the seasonal roads are open. Our family took this trip over the course of two days right during the July 4 holiday and it was a beautiful experience.
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Wyandotte Falls – We showed up here and the falls were barely waterfalls. It’s best to wait till after a big rainstorm to see these! But it was a beautiful walk in the woods, just don’t forget the bug spray.
Redridge Falls – This is a dam where you can walk around and even swim or set up a small campfire on one side. The small patches of sand make it a fun spot to hang out for a bit and eat a picnic lunch.
Hungarian Falls – A local favorite! In fact, this might be my second favorite waterfall when we explore the Keweenaw Peninsula. It’s a gorgeous hike following a series of waterfalls. Start at the bottom, closest to town, and walk up the hill passing each waterfall. One of the falls is a fun place to stop and swim.
Douglas Houghton Falls – It’s a bit of a climb to see these falls, so if you don’t have your hiking boots on yet, now is the time! It’s a beautiful view and one of the taller falls in the area.
Eagle River Falls – This is an easy waterfall to see, and you could even stay in your car to see it, but I don’t recommend it. There is a small parking area and a bridge that you can stand on for a perfect view. Or get dirty and climb down the hill to be closer to it!
Jacobs Falls – This is a tiny waterfall off of the side of the road. No hiking is necessary but a fun little spot to see another waterfall while you keep traveling along the shoreline.
Silver River Falls – Another easy waterfall to see! Park your car on the side of the road and you’ll only have a few steps before you run into it. Our dogs loved playing in this one and it was so cooling during the hot summer day.
Manganese Falls – Now you’ve made it to the tippy top of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Copper Harbor! This waterfall is tucked in a cliff area making it an adventure to explore.
Haven Falls – This waterfall is in a cute local park. No hiking is necessary here, but definitely a fun place to stop and rest or eat dinner!
Montreal Falls – Another local favorite and our family’s favorite by far! But, to see this roaring beast that dumps into Lake Superior you have to hike the shoreline in a few miles after a treacherous drive. There are camping areas next to the falls and there are upper and lower falls areas to explore. I suggest spending a full day or half-day here.
TOP SITES
Most people visit and explore the Keweenaw Peninsula to be outdoors. And rightly so! Each season you can find the hardy northerners outside doing various activities.
Depending on the season you are visiting, some of these sites may be more important to you than others. Don’t forget that a lot of roads and locations are seasonal, closing only for snowmobilers in the winter.
Isle Royale National Park – This is a secluded island off the coast that you can only get to by boat or seaplane. While we haven’t been here yet, we plan to go very soon. It looks so beautiful!
Downtown Houghton And Hancock – These are the two cities united by the beautiful Portage Lake Lift Bridge across the canal. Both have a beautifully quaint downtown with local shops and restaurants. And, you can’t forget that the two universities are right there, Michigan Tech and Finlandia.
Quincy Mine – You can see this mine way on top of the hill when you drive into Houghton from the south, headed north. They offer guided tours of their extensive copper mines, which were in use from 1846 until 1945.
McLain State Park – This is a fun place to hang out for the day, or camp for a week, next to Lake Superior. There’s even a dog park on the beach but be where of the biting flies in July!
Porcupine Mountains – You can’t miss this spot! Right at the bottom of the Keweenaw Peninsula is this gorgeous mountainous getaway. This huge park has three main visit sites – the waterfalls, the lookout tower, and the Lake of the Clouds viewing area. It is especially beautiful in the fall!
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse – When you explore the Keweenaw Peninsula you can’t miss this site. Not only do you drive along the shore of Lake Superior to see it, but you can get an amazing view. The lighthouse is no longer operating but the historic site still lives on.
Brockway Mountain Drive – This is a top site to visit for sure! The views are spectacular, and you will be blown away when the fall foliage is in full color!
Copper Harbor Lighthouse Boat Tour – Take a boat tour to see the lighthouse at Copper Harbor, all the way to the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The Snow Thermometer – When you are traveling up to Copper Harbor on Highway 41 you will see this on the side of the road. Pull over and take a look at what the record snowfall currently is and how much snow we received the previous year.
Fort Wilkins – Another wonderful spot to learn some of the histories of the area. This is a self-guided tour where you can explore what it was like for the soldiers of the 1840s at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Mt. Bohemia – A famous ski resort with some of the best views around. If you are visiting in winter, plan on spending a few days here.
Calumet Theater – The city of Calumet used to be booming when copper was being mined all over the Keweenaw Peninsula. Some old sites like this theater were preserved and are even still in working order!
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LOCAL FAVORITES
There are so many fantastic books you can read about the area to get an understanding of more of the mining history! This one in particular is my favorite!
Hanka Homestead Museum – Right near our homestead in Pelkie is this old homestead you can explore. If you go during the day in the summer months, there will be a local volunteer giving guided tours. This is a great way to learn the Finnish history of the area!
Baraga Shrine – Right at the bottom of the Keweenaw Peninsula is the town of Baraga. A huge shrine monument now resides there in memory of the Catholic bishop that originally came to the area to minister to the Native Americans.
Jampot – This is a bakery where cloaked monks of the Society of St. John make homemade cookies and baked goods! If you are doing the waterfall adventure trip above, then this is right next to Jacob Falls and a perfect stop for a treat on your way.
White City Park Beach and Lighthouse – This is a great beach to relax and enjoy Lake Superior. You’ll probably see a few locals pulling in with their boats and anchoring for the day!
Misery Beach – Another favorite beach by locals!
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary – This is one of the best places to hike in the area. So much beauty of untouched land is through these trails.
Swedetown Recreation Area – This has some fun bike trails, ski trails, and hiking trails that locals love!
Northern Lights – You can see the northern lights in the Keweenaw Peninsula and the locals will attest to it! So, maybe one night stay up late and see if you can catch them for yourself. Maybe you’ll see some shooting stars too!
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT WHEN YOU EXPLORE THE KEWEENAW PENINSULA
Here are some of our favorite places to stay and eat based on local recommendations in the area!
Keweenaw Brewing Company – A favorite spot of ours in downtown Houghton. You can also find their various brews in the local grocery stores.
Roy’s Pasties & Bakery – This is a fun spot to try the official food of the Upper Peninsula, a pasty!
Harbor Haus Restaurant – A popular place in the summertime, this spot in Copper Harbor is one you can’t miss out on.
Jamsen’s Fish Market & Bakery – This is another spot in Copper Harbor that you don’t want to miss! They have lots of tasty treats, not just fish.
Fitzgerald’s – A wonderful restaurant in Eagle Harbor with a great view!
The Feedmill Café – This is a place we go to almost weekly. It’s definitely a hidden gem that locals enjoy and I had to share it with you!
Camping – There are so many spots to camp all over the peninsula, from state parks to local places to pitch a tent. If you are coming in the summer, then I highly suggest camping to take in the full beauty of the area.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge – A very popular place for people to stay all year round.
Well, there you have it – The Ultimate Guide To Explore The Keweenaw Peninsula! You can also gather more information from the local tourist organization.
What will your up northern getaway look like? Let me know all about how you explore the Keweenaw Peninsula in the comments below!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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I’ve never been here, but this looks gorgeous! I hope you had a blast!!
Thanks Laura, definitely a place for your bucketlist!
Wow! I have never been to Michigan, but this sounds like a beautiful place!
It is, you should visit! (:
It really is!
What a great guide! This makes me want to research more about all the things that we could go visit and see around where we live!
Awesome, so glad to hear it!
Awesome – that would be so fun!
You had me at waterfalls! Michigan has never really been super high on my list of places to visit in the US, but you may have changed my mind. It sounds like there is plenty to see and do in this area.
YAY!!
[…] 80-acre homestead in Pelkie, Michigan, all the way up in the Keweenaw Peninsula, currently has chickens, turkeys, rabbits, our two border collies, and hopefully sheep very soon! […]