Activities: Hiking
Hiking trails in the woods, walking paths along Superior's shore, self-guided walking tours of historic cities or towns....there are many ways to get out and enjoy the Keweenaw on foot.
Bete Grise
The view from the top, courtesy of David DePietro (Click on image to enlarge) Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary
Address: West of Bete Grise, off the Smith Fisheries Road
Russell and Miriam Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Bare Bluff is one of the most spectacular vistas in the Keweenaw. This most difficult trail has been improved. Take a three-mile hike along the base of this beautiful rhyolite formation then up a natural fault to the top, where the stunted forest opens to spectacular balds with a southeatern view down the Keweenaw to the point. Allow three hours for this challenging...


Calumet    back to top
Click on image to enlarge Black Creek Nature Sanctuary
Address: Cedar Bay Road, Calumet, MI 49913
The Black Creek Nature Sanctuary is a 241 acre Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary with 1500 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. Trail difficulty is moderate with gently sloping terrain and features panoramic views of Lake Superior, wildlife, beaver ponds and White Birch stands.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply. Collecting plants, seeds, or animals or any kind is strictly...


Old C & H Library - NPS Photo, Keweenaw NHP (Click on image to enlarge) Calumet & Hecla Industrial Core
When: From June 23 through September 1 the park offers the CALUMET WALKING TOUR - Tuesdays & Saturdays at 9:30 am - Explore the former Calumet & Hecla Copper Mining Company's...
This tour of the historic Calumet & Hecla Mining Company site features 14 wayside panels that describe various aspects of mining and processing copper. These panels include information on geology, mining technology, the people who worked here and relations between the company and the surrounding communities.

Courtesy of Chuck Voelker/www.pasty.com/reflections (Click on image to enlarge) Calumet's Historic Business District
This tour takes you back to the early 1900's in the historic village of Calumet. The entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located within the boundaries of the Keweenaw National Historical Park.

Click on image to enlarge Gardner's Creek Nature Trail
Address: Lake Shore Drive off M-203, at the Calumet Township Park, Calumet, MI 49913
This 1 mile trail is located at the Calumet Township Park on Lakeshore Drive west of Calumet and is of moderate difficulty with gently sloping hills. Along the wooded trail are markers identifying local plants, berries and trees, Gardeners Creek, cedar forests, some wetlands and some wildlife. A beach, park and playground are also located at the park.

Central    back to top
Photo courtesy of the Keweenaw County Historic Society (Click on image to enlarge) Central Mine & Village
Address: US-41, 5 miles east of Phoenix, Central, MI 49950
When: The Central site is open year round, so please respect the privacy of dwelling occupants.
The Keweenaw County Historic Society has two hiking trails through the historic Central Mine site, 1/4 and 1/2 miles long through the woods. Central Mine operated from 1854 to 1898. Maps are available at the  Visitor Center which is open...

Chassell    back to top
Photo courtesy of Brita Haapala (Click on image to enlarge) Sturgeon Sloughs Wildlife Area
Address: Off US-41, Chassell, MI 49916
The Sturgeon Sloughs Wildlife Area/Bert deVriendt Nature Trail is 1.5 miles of flat, easy terrain. Observation platform, picnic pavilion, wetlands and stream wildlife.

Copper Harbor    back to top
Photo courtesy of eagleharborcam.com (Click on image to enlarge) Brockway Mountain Audubon Sanctuary
Address: Along the Brockway Mountain Drive, 2.5 miles off M-26 east of Eagle Harbor
The 1/2 mile Oren Krumm Trail is located within the Brockway Mountain Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. Hiking is moderately difficult with gently rolling hills to steep inclines with loose footing. Great views of Lake Superior, and abundant bird and wildlife. Twinflower, many orchids, plants of rock outcrops and wet forest are found here.Hunting, trapping, pets, camping, fires, ORV's, motorcycles and snowmobiles are prohibited...

Click on image to enlarge Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary
Address: Off Manganese Road, south of Copper Harbor
When: Open year round for hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary includes 504 acres of virgin northern hardwoods, interspersed with groves of eastern white pine. Three trail loop combinations give the hiker a choice of 1 mile, 1.2 mile or 2.5 mile loops over rugged terrain. Besides the old growth pines, features include 256 plant species with 10 species of...


  Ft. Wilkins Nature Trail
Address: Off US-41, east of Copper Harbor
Phone: 906-289-4303
Ft. Wilkins State Park, 1 mile east of Copper Harbor, has a 2 mile nature trail with easy to moderate walking on flat to gently rolling terrain with views of Lake Superior, Lake Fanny Hooe and the Copper Harbor Lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of David Cloutier (Click on image to enlarge) Hunter's Point Trail
Address: Off M-26, at the Copper Harbor Marina
The Hunter's Point Trail begins at the Copper Harbor Marina and goes out to the tip of Hunter's Point along Lake Superior and the western end of the harbor. Look for natural history, birds, plants & animals and unique geological structures.


Michigan Nature Association photo (Click on image to enlarge) James Dorian Rooks Memorial Nature Sanctuary
Address: US-41, south of Copper Harbor
Formerly the Brockway Mountain Nature Sanctuary. With its bluffs and ridges, this dry-mesic northern forest shelters a variety of unusual plants from the fierceness of Lake Superior. Brockway Mountain is well-known for its showy spring raptor migration.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply. Collecting plants, seeds, or animals or any kind is strictly forbidden...

Photo courtesy of the Michigan Nature Association (Click on image to enlarge) Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary
Address: Brockway Mountain Drive
The James H. Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Brockway Mountain is located at the top of Brockway Mountain. An easy one-mile loop trail starts at the sign and takes hikers north to a lookout that shows Mt. Lookout, Eagle Harbor and Lake Superior. This is an easy hike for all ages.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply. Collecting plants, seeds, or animals or any kind is...


Eagle Harbor    back to top
Photo courtesy of the Michigan Nature Association (Click on image to enlarge) Eagle Harbor Environs
Address: Along M-26, west of Eagle Harbor
The Eagle Harbor Environs encompass the Eagle Harbor Red Pine Dunes, the Dean Webster and the Cy Clark Memorial Nature Sanctuaries. The approximately 8 mile trail is easy to moderate with flat rolling terrain. Parts of the trail are on private property.Features include Long Lake, stabilized sand dunes, marsh areas and surrounding bluffs.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply...


Photo courtesy of Karen Karl (Click on image to enlarge) Keweenaw Shore/Upson Lake Nature Sanctuary
At the Keweenaw Shore Nature Sanctuary trail head, across M-26 from Esrey Park, the trail takes the hiker over the ridge to the Upson Lake Nature Sanctuary. The total distance is two miles. This is a great trail that gives you a cross-section of Keweenaw geology and habitats. This is the only trail that is not a loop.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply. Collecting plants, seeds, or animals or any kind is strictly forbidden. Stay on established trails...


  Lake Bailey Audubon Sanctuary
Address: State Highway M-26, 4 miles east of Eagle Harbor, Eagle Harbor, MI 49950
The hiking trail is about 2 miles up and back and goes through dense woods. Views are spectacular and birds abundant. The sanctuary is entirely wooded by a mixture of northern conifers & hardwoods. Twinflower, many orchids, plants of rock outcrops and wet forest floor are common. Notable are rare and threatened plants.Hunting, trapping, pets, camping, fires, ORV's, motorcycles and snowmobiles are prohibited...

Eagle River    back to top
The historic Eagle River Courthouse (Click on image to enlarge) Eagle River Historic Walking Tour
Established in 1843, Eagle River is now the county seat of Keweenaw County. Once a thriving shipping port for the early copper mines, this now sleepy community has a courthouse dating back to 1866. The tour map takes you past many private residence, so as always, please respect private property!

Photo courtesy of the Michigan Nature Assocation (Click on image to enlarge) Redwyn Dunes Nature Sanctuary
Address: Along M-26 at Great Sand Bay
The Redwyn Dunes Nature Sanctuary has a one-mile trail through beautiful stable dunes covered with red oak and pine. The trail also weaves around dune ponds used by migrating waterfowl. This is a nice hike for all ages.The trail is in a Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary and all sanctuary rules apply. Collecting plants, seeds, or animals or any kind is strictly forbidden. Stay on established trails. Only foot traffic...


Gratiot Lake    back to top
Michigan Nature Association photo (Click on image to enlarge) Gratiot Lake Overlook Nature Sanctuary
Address: At Gratiot Lake, off US-41 near Central
The 100 acre Michigan Nature Association Gratiot Lake Sanctuary is located across the road from the Gratiot Lake public access site, off US-41 near Central. The one mile nature trail goes through the second growth open hardwood forest to views of a waterfall on Eister Creek and an overlook of Gratiot Lake from a high bluff. This moderately strenuous trail includes a gradual 400 foot climb.The trail is in a Michigan Nature...


Hancock    back to top
Click on image to enlarge Hancock Downtown Historical Walking Tour
Downtown Quincy Street, between Reservation & Montezuma Streets, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This self-guided walking tour guides you through the city and highlights the architecture and history of 19 of these historic structures.


Courtesy of Kevin Atkins/www.kevinatkins.org (Click on image to enlarge) McLain Park Nature Trail
Address: 18350 State Highway M-203, Hancock, MI 49930
Phone: 906-482-0278
The F. J. McLain State Park has 2 trails, each 2 miles long. This is easy to moderate walking on flat, gently rolling terrain along Lake Superior and Bear Lake. Interpretive signs are posted.

Houghton    back to top
Click on image to enlarge Houghton Historic Walking Tour
The Historic Houghton Walking Tour celebrates the area's rich & diverse past. The tour is comprised of 15 theme that highlight various historic aspects that contribute to Houghton's unique personality.


  Houghton Portage Township School Forest
Address: Gundlach Road, Houghton, MI 49931
When: Open May 1 through October 30.
This 27 acre school forest has a barrier free nature trail with three interpretive themes. Access is on Gundlach Road, off Sharon Avenue in Houghton.

Lake Linden    back to top
Photo courtesy of www.johndee.com (Click on image to enlarge) Lake Linden-Hubbell School Forest
Address: Off Bootjack Road, Lake Linden, MI 49945
Phone: 906-296-6211
The 400 acre school forest has 4 trails that are open to non-motorized traffic on a year round basis. Primitive camping is available north of the parking area, but no trash pickup or drinnking water is available. For more information call 906-296-6211 or email robertsra@lakelinden.k12.mi.us.


Laurium    back to top
Click on image to enlarge Laurium Historic District
Laurium is noted for its spectacular mansions and prominent homes built during the copper mining boom years of 1890-1915. Tour the Laurium Historic District Business and Residental areas. Please respect private property!


Painesdale    back to top
Photo courtesy of Michigan Nature Association (Click on image to enlarge) Robert T. Brown Environmental Education Center
Address: Lake Perreault Road, Painesdale, MI 49955
The Robert T. Brown Memorial Teaching Nature Sanctuary is located five miles west of Painesdale, a half-mile off of M-26 on Lake Perreault Road. The 18 acre Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary is a northern fen surrounded by a small pond and bordered by a black spruce, tamarack and white cedar swamp. The fen is comprised of sphagnum moss that supports a variety of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Sedges are common here and...

Twin Lakes    back to top
Click on image to enlarge Twin Lakes Nature Trail
Address: 6204 Poyhonen Road (M-26), Twin Lakes, Toivola, MI 49965
Phone: 906-338-3321
The Twin Lakes State Park has a 1.25 mile nature trail, part of which is the original Military Road that connected Green Bay to Fort Wilkins. This is easy, flat terrain. The park is located south of Houghton along M-26.