Snowshoeing
Find Your Next Snowshoe Experience
Looking for a snowshoe experience in the Keweenaw? Check out our online map to discover your next adventure!
12 Recommendations for Your Keweenaw Snowshoe Experience
Snowshoeing is the perfect way to explore the sights and sounds of the Keweenaw’s great outdoors. Whether you’re seeking solitude, craving adventure, or just looking to get in a good workout, the Keweenaw’s diverse terrain and miles of picturesque trails will challenge and satisfy your mind, body, and soul.
If you already have snowshoes, perfect! If you don’t—no worries, we’ve got you covered.
You can buy or rent snowshoes at the following locations:
Down Wind Sports located in downtown Houghton offers everything from popular brand name apparel and footwear (e.g. Keen, Patagonia, Prana, Salomon) to Hydro Flask water bottles, first aid kids, snowshoes, and more.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is located in scenic Copper Harbor. The lodge offers snowshoe rentals, in addition to cross country skis and hok skis (a snowshoe/ski combination great for backcountry adventures).
Cross Country Sports in Calumet offers everything from apparel and accessories to snowshoes and poles. Experienced staff go above and beyond making sure your experience is unforgettable.
12. Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve, Keweenaw Peninsula
A challenging trek, Mount Baldy is in Eagle Harbor, Michigan, off US-41. There is a designated parking area, near the Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve sign. The trailhead is directly north of the parking area. It’s a strenuous, mostly uphill hike to the top of Mount Baldy. But, the jaw-dropping views when you reach the summit, 730-feet above Lake Superior, is so worth it.
Nara Nature Park, just outside of Houghton, provides serene views and a gentle, rolling landscape for snowshoe enthusiasts.
11. Michigan Tech & Nara Trails, Houghton
The Michigan Tech and Nara Trail System easily accommodates all skill and ability levels. Snowshoe trails include Isle Royale, Superior Loop, Tolkien Trails, and River Loop. Trail maps available here. Enrolled Michigan Tech students use the trails at no charge. A trail membership or day pass for those ages 12+ is needed for all other users, more info here.
10. Swedetown Trails, Calumet
Swedetown Trails has three marked snowshoe trails. Bearpaw Loop starts at Swedetown Chalet with a vista of the Village of Calumet and with its many church spires. The chalet, open daily, has plowed parking, trail maps, a water bottle filling fountain and restrooms. Mugguns Creek Snowshoe Trail is more remote. Descending to a creek, it passes some unusually large specimens of pine. Lastly, Swedetown’s Multi-use Trails are where dogs are allowed. These trails are packed by snowmobile for easy hiking. The trailhead with plowed parking is on Woodland Rd. There is lots of wildlife sign and hikers are rewarded with a winter view of a large bog.
9. Chassell Trails, Chassell
The Chassell Trails can be found on the corner of 2nd and Hancock Street. Parking is available one block west of US-41 in Chassell on Hancock Street at the Chassell Heritage Center, and on Archambeau Road. Around 7 beautiful miles of even terrain make this an ideal spot for beginners. Looking for a little extra workout? Tryout the trailside fitness equipment as you make your way to really get that heart rate up!
8. North Houghton Canal Park, Houghton
About 2-miles north of the Marsin Nature Center is North Houghton Canal Park. You can park at the end, off to the side, of Houghton Canal Road or at the end of the turn-off road. It’s about ¼ mile-1/2 mile hike to get to where you have views of Lake Superior and the North Entry Lighthouse. Explore over 177 acres. Relax and enjoy the sounds of ice crackling and waves gently hitting the breakwater.
7. Marsin Nature Area, Houghton
This off-the-beaten path destination is located off Houghton Canal Road. The Marsin Nature Area has beautiful hardwoods and various fauna and flora. There are several short trails that lead across a small brook and along the outskirts of the property. It’s a great place for the entire family to enjoy snowshoeing.
6. Maasto Hiihto & Churning Rapids, Hancock
The Maasto Hiihto & Churning Rapids trails, located in Hancock, are the area’s only 100% dog-friendly trails. There are two trailheads, one located on Tomasi Road and the other at the Houghton County Fairgrounds. The Swedetown Creek Gorge is the highlight of these trails.
5. Calumet Waterworks, Calumet
Located on Lakeshore Drive in Calumet, Calumet Waterworks is a beautiful, quiet park with a stunning shoreline. The park offers magnificent views of Lake Superior with frequent freighter sightings. Snowshoeing along the shore, you’ll hear the crunching of snow beneath your feet and the relaxing sounds of Superior washing against the rocks.
4. Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Copper Harbor
The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge offers 10 km of groomed trails perfect for beginners on the site of the historic resort at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. For those looking for a more backcountry experience, try out their hok ski’s (a combination of ski and snowshoe) and enjoy the ungroomed trails that explore forested acres that feature Brockway Mountain as a scenic backdrop.
3. Copper Harbor Pathway
The Copper Harbor Pathway offers over 9 scenic miles of trails that wind through the Keweenaw’s old-growth boreal forests. A beautiful, well-loved trail system that offers unique vantage points of the dense woodland and Lake Superior. The trailhead is located at the Copper Harbor Welcome Center.
2. Mount Bohemia
Mount Bohemia is an all-season resort with lodging facilities, restaurant/bar, and over 12 miles of trails to explore. Snowshoe rentals are $15 a day.
McLain State Park offers winter recreationists incredible views of Lake Superior.
1. F.J. McLain State Park, Hancock
During the winter months, McLain State Park transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Snowshoe through the woods or along the two miles of Lake Superior’s rocky shoreline where you will see stunning ice formations and “ice volcanoes”! What are ice volcanoes? “An unusual feature of Lake Superior are ice volcanoes. They form above sand bars and reefs near the lakeshore as ice shelves build during cold periods.” (Keweenaw Geoheritage)
Side Notes:
- Leave No Trace
- Bring out whatever you brought in.
- Stay on designated trails.
- If snowshoeing on cross-country ski trails please stay to the side of the groomed tracks.
We would love to hear about your snowshoeing excursions in the Keweenaw’s winter wonderland. When you share photos on social media please use #Keweenaw so we can check them out!
US Hwy 41 S
Houghton, MI 49931 US
Phone: (906) 482-1700
Region: Houghton
Website
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56641 Osceola Rd
Calumet, MI 49913 US
Phone: (906) 337-1170
Region: Calumet
Website
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18350 Highway M-203
Hancock, MI 49930 US
Phone: (906) 482-0278
Region: Hancock
Website
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6204 E. Poyhonen Rd
Toivola, MI 49965 US
Phone: (906) 288-3321
Region: Twin Lakes
Website
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6532 Lac La Belle Road
Lac La Belle, MI 49950 US
Phone: (906) 289-4105
(906) 360-7240
E-Mail Address: bohemia@mtbohemia.com
Region: Lac La Belle / Bete Grise
Website
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Pine St
Eagle Harbor, MI 49950 US
Phone: (906) 289-4407
E-Mail Address: office@eagleharbortwp.org
Region: Eagle Harbor
Website
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Off of Birch Street
Hancock, MI 49930 US
Phone: (906) 482-0820
E-Mail Address: arlyn.aronson@gmail.com
Region: Hancock
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Copper Harbor, MI 49918 US
Phone: (906) 289-4105
Region: Copper Harbor
Website
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Paradise Road
Houghton, MI 49931 US
Phone: (906) 482-0820
E-Mail Address: info@keweenawlandtrust.org
Region: Houghton
Website
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Chassell, MI 49916 US
E Sharon Avenue
Houghton, MI 49931 US
15.6 Miles from Gay on the Gay-Lac La Belle Road
Gay, MI 49950 US
Phone: (906) 482-0820
E-Mail Address: info@keweenawlandtrust.org
Region: Lac La Belle / Bete Grise
Website
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Corner of Salo & Wildwood Roads
M-203
MI US
Phone: (906) 482-0820
E-Mail Address: info@keweenawlandtrust.org
Website
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14252 US Hwy 41
Copper Harbor, MI 49918 US
Phone: (906) 289-4403
E-Mail Address: reservations@keweenawresort.com
Region: Copper Harbor
Website
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List of Members
Bete Grise South Preserve
Chassell Classic Ski Trail
Copper Harbor Cross Country Trails
Eagle Harbor Township Conservation and Recreation Area
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge Winter Trails
Lily Creek
Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids
McLain State Park
Michigan Tech Trails
Mount Bohemia Skiing, Yurts & All-Inclusive Adventure Resort
Nara Nature Park
Pilgrim Community Forest
Swedetown Recreation Area
