We live here. We fish here. We ride here. We eat here. This is the list we give our friends — organized by where you’re staying, where it’s worth driving, and what you came to do.
Base Camps — Where Our Stays Are
Start here. Each area has what’s within a short drive of your door — food, trails, water, groceries and gas.
Twin Lakes
Sandy Lake frontage, right on the trail system, halfway between the Porkies and Copper Harbor.
Our stays: Sandy Lake Lodge, Sandy Lake Retreat, Sandy Hollow, Jake’s Bed & Bar, Thor’s Den, Yooper Lodge
South Range
On the SXS, ATV and snowmobile trail, about 10 minutes from Houghton and Michigan Tech.
Our stays: Kaleva East, Goose’s Hall, Kaleva #1–5, Trailside
Chassell
Chassell Bay, the boardwalk and Centennial Park — minutes south of Houghton.
Our stays: Adventure Cabins & Campground, Adventure Outposts, Adventure Suite West
Calumet & Franklin Township
Copper-mining history up the Keweenaw, between Calumet and Hancock, close to the airport.
Our stays: Whispering Pines #1–7
In Town — Houghton & Hancock
The twin cities on either side of the Lift Bridge — dining, groceries, Michigan Tech and the waterfront, within a short drive of every base camp.
Houghton
Shelden Ave dining and breweries, Michigan Tech, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, the waterfront trail and summer concerts on the pier.
Hancock
Across the bridge: Quincy Mine, Finnish heritage, Mont Ripley, the Maasto Hiihto trails and Hancock’s historic downtown.
Day Trips — Worth the Drive
Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Drive times are approximate from Houghton.
≈ 1 hr
Copper Harbor
Where the road ends. Brockway Mountain Drive, Fort Wilkins, mountain biking, the Isle Royale ferry and Lake Superior shoreline.
≈ 1–1.5 hr
Porkies & Ontonagon County
Lake of the Clouds, Presque Isle River falls, old-growth hiking, Ski the Porkies, and Ontonagon’s lighthouse and museum.
≈ 1 hr
Mount Bohemia & Lac La Belle
The Midwest’s biggest vertical and deepest powder, plus the Nordic Spa’s hot-and-cold soak cycle.
≈ 35–45 min
Baraga & L’Anse
Keweenaw Bay views, Canyon Falls, the Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest and Mount Arvon.
≈ 1–2 hr
Bond Falls Country
South of Twin Lakes through Mass City, Bruce Crossing and Watersmeet: Bond Falls, Agate Falls and the Watersmeet Trout Hatchery.
Our Local Favorites
No paid endorsements. Tap an address for directions, a number to call, or the link for current hours. ★ Our pick marks the spots we personally go back to again and again.
Fishing
Between the rivers, bays, Lake Superior and the Portage Canal, you can chase something different almost every week of the season.
Chassell
Chassell Bay
Calm, accessible and loaded with walleye and crappie, especially through the ice. Boat launch and a boardwalk with fishing points right in town.
Chassell Bay boat launch & boardwalk, Chassell
Stay nearby: Adventure Campground →
Houghton County
Sturgeon River
Shore and kayak access with bullhead, bass, perch, seasonal steelhead and salmon, and if you’re lucky, a true Lake Sturgeon.
Multiple shore & kayak launch points
Houghton area
Pilgrim River
Raised boardwalk with fishing platforms, good trout pools, and seasonal steelhead, salmon and sucker runs. The sunset from the boardwalk is worth the trip.
Access at Boundary Road Trails or Pilgrim Community Forest
Keweenaw Bay
South Portage Entry Boat Launch
Your gateway to Keweenaw Bay and the Portage Canal. Yellow perch are the staple; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon show up too.
South Portage Entry, Keweenaw Bay
Houghton
Portage Lake & Houghton Waterfront
Drop a line from the city pier or waterfront park for perch, bass and pike. Wednesday night summer concerts on the pier make it even better.
Houghton city pier & waterfront park
Fishing regulations: always check the Michigan DNR fishing guide before you go. UP walleye and pike possession opens May 15.
Trails: Riding, Biking & Hiking
Whether you’re on a sled in February, a side-by-side in July or a mountain bike in September, the Keweenaw trail system delivers.
Twin Lakes · Our stay
Jake’s Bed & Bar — on the trail
Our flagship sits directly on the trail system. Ride in, park the sleds or SXS, walk right in. A basecamp for riders in any season.
Houghton County
Bill Nicholls Trail
A premier multi-use rail-trail through the Keweenaw interior, open to snowmobiles, ORVs, hikers and bikers depending on season.
Keweenaw
Copper Country Trail National Byway
Old mining towns, Lake Superior shoreline, waterfalls and endless forest. Best in spring and fall, before and after the crowds.
US-41 corridor through the Keweenaw
Keweenaw
Boondock Adventure Company
Need a side-by-side or snowmobile? Local rentals set up specifically for Keweenaw adventures.
Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor Trails
Nationally known singletrack, from beginner-friendly loops to the famous flow lines coming down off Brockway Mountain.
Chassell
NARA Nature Trails
100+ acres with boardwalk along the Pilgrim River wetlands. Hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing, beginner to moderate.
Along the Pilgrim River near Chassell
Copper Harbor
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary
508 acres of old-growth white pine, some over 125 feet tall and 300+ years old. A quiet, cathedral-like hike minutes from Copper Harbor.
South of Copper Harbor (Michigan Nature Association)
Beaches & Waterfront
The Keweenaw holds some of Lake Superior’s most beautiful shoreline. These are the spots we keep coming back to.
★ Our pick · Toivola
Agate Beach Park
Agate hunting, swimming, sunsets and some of the best Northern Lights viewing in Michigan, without the crowds.
★ Our pick · Toivola
Misery Bay
Sandy shore, sunsets and shallow water for kids. Cross the Misery River for over a mile of white sand nearly to yourself. Boat launch too.
About 8.5 miles south of Agate Beach
Hancock · Recreation Passport
F.J. McLain State Park
Two miles of Lake Superior sand between Hancock and Calumet, famous sunsets, rock hounding and a view of the Keweenaw Waterway lighthouse.
18350 M-203, Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 482-2278
michigan.gov/mclain →
Keweenaw
Great Sand Bay
A long, sweeping sand beach right along M-26 with pull-offs and big Lake Superior views. Easy to stop on the drive to Eagle Harbor.
Along M-26 between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor
Lac La Belle
Bete Grise
A sheltered, sandy beach on the Keweenaw’s east side with warmer water than most of Lake Superior. Pair it with Mount Bohemia.
Past Lac La Belle on Bete Grise Rd
visitkeweenaw.com →
Chassell
Chassell Bay Boardwalk & Centennial Park
Swimming area, playground, fish cleaning station, dog park and boat launch, with sunrises and sunsets over the bay.
Centennial Park, Chassell
Houghton
Houghton Area Beaches
Portage Canal swimming right near town. Warms up faster than Lake Superior and great for families.
Waterfalls
More waterfalls per square mile than almost anywhere in the Midwest. Spring runoff makes them roar, but they’re worth it year-round.
Bond Falls Country · Recreation Passport
Bond Falls Scenic Site
A wide, tiered 50-foot cascade with an accessible boardwalk and six viewing areas. One of the most photographed falls in Michigan.
Southern Ontonagon County, near Paulding
(906) 353-6558
michigan.gov/recsearch →
Bond Falls Country
Agate Falls Scenic Site
A 39-foot drop over sandstone, viewed from the trail or from the old railroad bridge that’s now part of the snowmobile and ATV trail.
On M-28, about 7 miles southeast of Bruce Crossing
waterfallsofthekeweenaw.com →
Hubbell
Hungarian Falls
Three drops totaling about 90 feet in a wooded gorge, a short hike from town. Stunning in spring melt and fall color.
Just west of Hubbell, off M-26
Eagle Harbor
Jacob’s Falls
A roadside falls you can see from the car, right next to the Jampot. A five-minute stop that everyone photographs.
On M-26 between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor
Eagle River
Eagle River Falls
Falls tumbling under the M-26 bridge in Eagle River, best seen from the old footbridge alongside.
Eagle River, at the M-26 bridge
Baraga County
Canyon Falls
Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the UP. An easy trail from the roadside park leads to box-canyon falls on the Sturgeon River.
US-41 roadside park, about 8 miles south of L’Anse
visitkeweenaw.com →
Baraga County
Silver Falls
A series of cascades on the Silver River in the hills east of L’Anse — a good add-on to a Mount Arvon trip.
Silver River, east of L’Anse
Trip planning
Waterfalls of the Keweenaw
The definitive map of every waterfall in the region. Start here to build a waterfall day.
Copper Harbor & the Keweenaw Tip
Where the road ends — worth a full day, and then some.
Copper Harbor · Don’t miss
Brockway Mountain Drive
An 8.9-mile ridge road 720 feet above Lake Superior between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. Hawks in spring, color in fall, sunsets all summer. Not plowed in winter.
Off M-26 at Eagle Harbor or Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor · Recreation Passport
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
A restored 1844 Army fort with living history in summer, Lake Fanny Hooe, trails, and boat tours to the Copper Harbor lighthouse.
15223 US-41, Copper Harbor, MI 49918
(906) 289-4215
michigan.gov/fortwilkins →
Copper Harbor · Book ahead
Isle Royale Ferry (Isle Royale Queen IV)
Day trips and overnights to Isle Royale National Park — a bucket-list trip for a lot of our guests. Reserve early in summer.
14 Waterfront Landing, Copper Harbor, MI 49918
(906) 289-4437
isleroyale.com →
Day trip
Copper Harbor
The tip of the peninsula. Mountain biking, kayaking, shops, and some of the most dramatic Lake Superior views anywhere.
Mining History & Museums
The Copper Country’s story is everywhere up here — underground, in the old towns and in some great small museums.
Hancock
Quincy Mine
Ride the cog tram down the hill and walk into the mine, plus the world’s largest steam hoist. The area’s signature tour.
49750 US-41, Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 482-3101
quincymine.com →
Calumet
Keweenaw National Historical Park — Calumet Visitor Center
Three floors of exhibits in the 1889 Union Building on the copper-mining community. The best place to start a Calumet day.
Calumet
Coppertown Mining Museum
Mining history in the old Calumet & Hecla pattern shop. Open mid-June to mid-October, Monday through Saturday.
25815 Red Jacket Rd, Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-4354
nps.gov →
Mohawk
Delaware Copper Mine
A self-guided underground walk through an 1800s copper mine, plus a prehistoric mine pit. Bring a jacket — it’s cold down there.
7804 Delaware Mine Rd, Mohawk, MI 49950
(906) 289-4688
delawareminetours.com →
Greenland · Near Twin Lakes
Adventure Mine
Hard-hat underground tours of a real copper mine, close to our Twin Lakes stays. Memorial Day through mid-October.
200 Adventure Ave, Greenland, MI 49929
(906) 883-3371
adventureminetours.com →
Rockland
Old Victoria
Restored hand-hewn log cabins from the Victoria Copper Mine settlement. Memorial Day weekend through Oct 15.
4 miles southwest of Rockland on Victoria Dam Rd
(906) 884-4735
ontonagonmi.org →
Eagle Harbor
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse & Museums
The lighthouse plus maritime, Keweenaw history and commercial fishing museums. Mid-June to mid-October; small lot, tough for big RVs.
670 Lighthouse Rd, Eagle Harbor, MI 49950
keweenawhistory.org →
Calumet
Calumet Theatre
A beautifully restored 1900 opera house still hosting shows, concerts and tours. Check the calendar before your trip.
340 Sixth St, Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-2610
calumettheatre.com →
Hancock
Finnish American Heritage Center
Gallery, archive and cultural center for the Copper Country’s deep Finnish roots. Open weekdays.
435 Quincy St, Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 487-7549
fahc.finlandiafoundation.org →
Pelkie
Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum
A 40-acre Finnish farmstead frozen around the 1920s — house, barns, sauna and blacksmith shop. Open summer afternoons.
13249 Hanka Rd, Pelkie, MI 49958
(906) 334-2601
hankahomesteadmuseum.org →
Porcupine Mountains & Ontonagon County
One of our guests’ favorite day trips — old-growth forest, Lake Superior cliffs, waterfalls and a lighthouse town at the mouth of the Ontonagon River.
Ontonagon County · Recreation Passport
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
60,000 acres holding the largest old-growth hardwood-hemlock forest in the Great Lakes region. Start at the visitor center for maps and trail advice (open May 15 – Oct 14).
33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953
(906) 885-5275
michigan.gov/porkies →
Porkies · Don’t miss
Lake of the Clouds Overlook
The postcard view of the UP — a lake cradled between ridges, a short walk from the parking area. Peak color in fall is unreal.
End of M-107 inside the state park
Porkies
Summit Peak Observation Tower
A short hike and a tower climb to the highest point in the Porkies, with views to Lake Superior on clear days.
Off South Boundary Rd inside the park
Porkies
Presque Isle River Waterfalls
A loop trail past a string of falls on the Presque Isle River as it drops toward Lake Superior, at the park’s west end.
West end of the park via South Boundary Rd
Ontonagon
Ontonagon County Historical Museum & Lighthouse
Mining, logging and fishing history, free treasure hunts for kids, and tours of the historic Ontonagon Lighthouse (mid-May – mid-October).
422 River St, Ontonagon, MI 49953
(906) 884-6165
ontonagonmuseum.org →
Skiing & Spas
Big snow, big vertical, and somewhere warm to thaw out afterward.
Hancock · Closest to town
Mont Ripley
Michigan Tech’s ski hill, right across the Portage from Houghton. The easy pick for a half day on the slopes from any of our base camps.
49051 Ski Hill Rd, Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 487-2340
mtu.edu/mont-ripley →
Lac La Belle · Experts only
Mount Bohemia
The highest vertical and deepest powder in the Midwest, all natural lake-effect snow. Black diamonds and glades only, no beginner runs.
6532 Lac La Belle Rd, Mohawk, MI 49950
(906) 360-7240
mtbohemia.com →
Lac La Belle · Open 7 days
Mount Bohemia Nordic Spa
Hot pool, cold plunge, relax, repeat. A Nordic hot-and-cold spa cycle with a bar and pizza on site — worth the trip even if you don’t ski.
At Mount Bohemia, Lac La Belle
mbnordicspa.com →
Ontonagon County · All levels
Ski the Porkies
20 runs and 670 feet of vertical with Lake Superior views, tree runs and a natural terrain park. Typically open Friday – Monday in season.
36672 M-107, Ontonagon, MI 49953
(906) 885-5209
skitheporkies →
Calumet · Heated chalet
Swedetown Trails
Groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and snow biking in winter; hiking and mountain biking the rest of the year.
56641 Osceola Rd, Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-1170 (winter)
swedetowntrails.org →
Hancock
Maasto Hiihto & Churning Rapids
About 25 km of groomed classic ski trails past Portage Lake views and Ruby Marsh, with a Lake Superior lookout tower at Churning Rapids. Snowshoers welcome off the ski tracks.
Trailheads: Houghton County Fairgrounds (chalet) and Tomasi Dr, Hancock
Trail maps →
Unique Experiences
The things that make the Western UP unlike anywhere else.
Keweenaw
Keweenaw Dark Sky Park & Northern Lights
No light pollution, no crowds. Agate Beach and Eagle River are also excellent viewing spots on clear nights.
Houghton
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
One of the premier mineral museums in North America. The copper collection alone is worth the visit, and great for families.
1404 E Sharon Ave, Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-2572
museum.mtu.edu →
Houghton
Michigan Technological University
The heartbeat of Houghton. Visiting for a campus event or graduation? Our MTU-friendly stays make an easy home base.
L’Anse
Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest
A 60-foot copper statue of Bishop Baraga holding 28-foot snowshoes, high on the bluff over Keweenaw Bay. Look for the three teepees on US-41.
Baraga County
Mount Arvon
Long billed as Michigan’s highest point (a 2025 survey puts nearby Mount Curwood a few inches higher). The adventure is the drive in on winding logging roads.
About 12 miles east of L’Anse via logging roads
Watersmeet · Family-friendly
Watersmeet Trout Hatchery & Fish Farm
A working trout hatchery and fish farm with family fishing ponds. A fun stop to pair with Bond and Agate Falls.
25640 Old US Hwy 2 E, Watersmeet, MI 49969
(906) 358-4331
watersmeettrouthatchery.com →
Pasties, Bakeries & Coffee
You haven’t been to the UP until you’ve had a pasty. Here’s where to get one — and a good cup of coffee.
Houghton
Roy’s Pasties & Bakery
A Houghton pasty staple with a bakery case to match. Open Monday through Saturday.
305 W Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-6166
royspasties.com →
Laurium
Toni’s Country Kitchen
Homemade pasties and baked goods with a serious local following. Open Wednesday through Saturday.
Ontonagon
Syl’s Cafe
Main-street family restaurant best known for homemade pasties, plus pies, soups and a Friday fish fry. The Porkies lunch stop.
Eagle Harbor
The Jampot
Monks of Poorrock Abbey baking muffins, cookies, fruitcakes and jams on the Lake Superior shore. May through mid-October.
Houghton
Camp Coffee Co.
Downtown Houghton coffee with açaí bowls and a cozy camp feel. Closed Tuesdays.
Houghton
Cyberia Cafe
A vintage, cozy downtown coffee shop with homemade treats.
★ Our pick · Twin Lakes · Best pasties
Krupp’s Mini-Mart
Our favorite pasties anywhere, made fresh every day at the Twin Lakes general store. Grab a few on your way in.
32260 M-26, Twin Lakes (Toivola), MI 49965
(906) 288-3888
Facebook page →
Food & Drink
We eat here. These are the places we genuinely send our friends and guests.
★ Our pick · Houghton
Joey’s Seafood & Grill
A Copper Country institution. Fish and chips, fish tacos, Lake Superior whitefish and trout, steaks, ribs and a huge gluten-free menu.
304 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 483-0500
joeys-grill.com →
★ Our pick · Houghton
Keweenaw Brewing Company
A Houghton tradition. High ceilings, a cozy fireplace, a mural deck and seriously good craft beer. Bring your own food in.
★ Our pick · Houghton
The Ambassador
Thin, crispy pizza, historic gnome murals, and one of the best views of Portage Lake and the Lift Bridge in town.
126 Shelden Ave, Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-5054
theambassadorhoughton.com →
★ Our pick · South Range · Near Trail 3
1902 Tap & Grill
Pizza, burgers, Tuesday tacos, Friday fish fry, Saturday ribs and hand-scooped ice cream. The neighborhood spot for our Kaleva and Trailside guests.
23 Trimountain Ave, South Range, MI 49963
(906) 523-5567
Facebook page →
Gay
The Gay Bar
Yes, that’s the name of the town. A classic Keweenaw stop on the east shore — grab a burger and a souvenir shirt.
Events & Festivals
Plan around these — and book early, because lodging fills fast. Dates change yearly, so check before you go.
Houghton · Feb 3–6, 2027
Michigan Tech Winter Carnival
Giant snow statues across campus and town, built by students through the famous all-nighter. One of the best winter weekends in the Midwest.
Houghton & Hancock · June
Bridgefest
The twin cities’ summer kickoff celebrating the Portage Lake Lift Bridge — music, food, fireworks and boats.
[Confirm date & website]
Hancock · August
Houghton County Fair
A classic county fair at the fairgrounds in Hancock — animals, rides, grandstand shows and fair food.
[Confirm date & website]
Groceries, Gas & Medical
The practical stuff. For emergencies, always call 911.
Houghton · Pharmacy
Walmart Supercenter
The one-stop grocery run for most of our stays, with a pharmacy inside. Stock up on your way in.
995 Razorback Dr, Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-0639
walmart.com →
★ Our pick · Twin Lakes · Best pasties
Krupp’s Mini-Mart
The Twin Lakes lifeline: groceries, gas, propane and a DNR license agent — plus, in our opinion, the best pasties around, made fresh every day.
32260 M-26, Twin Lakes (Toivola), MI 49965
(906) 288-3888
Facebook page →
Hancock · 24 hours
UP Health System – Portage (Emergency Room)
Full hospital and 24-hour emergency room, central to our Houghton-area stays.
Houghton · Walk-in, open daily
Aspirus Houghton Clinic – Walk-In
Walk-in care for the non-emergency stuff — sprains, sore throats, stitches. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, including holidays.
Laurium · Emergency room
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital
Hospital and emergency department closest to our Calumet and Whispering Pines stays.
L’Anse · 24/7 emergency room
Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH)
Critical access hospital with a 24/7 ER, urgent care and clinics. The nearest ER for Baraga County and much of Ontonagon County.
Ontonagon · Weekdays only · No ER
Aspirus Ontonagon Clinic
Ontonagon County no longer has a hospital or emergency room. This clinic is open weekdays 8–5 for same-day needs. For emergencies on a Porkies trip, call 911.
By Season
Plan Your Trip
- Visit Keweenaw — the official tourism guide for the Keweenaw Peninsula
- UP Travel — Upper Peninsula-wide travel guide
- Fun in the UP — events, activities and local happenings
- Michigan DNR — fishing regulations, hunting seasons, trail maps and park info
Stay Where You Play
Book direct with Vault Ventures for our best rate — lakefront, trailside and in town across the Western UP. Direct line to Vern: 906-370-1670