October, 2025

In my early morning reading today, I learned that the Copper Country Trail National Scenic Byway has been named one of the Most Scenic Drives in the Great Lakes by WorldAtlas. The trail runs from Houghton to Copper Harbor, Michigan, on US Hwy 41.

Granted, it is remote, but worth the effort. Houghton has an airport, with flights in and out of Chicago. You can even drive straight through from Miami, the southern terminus of US Hwy 41. Distance from Miami to Copper Harbor: about 2,000 miles. Sailors on Lake Superior can hop off at several locations. So…you can get here from there.

I have driven this route through the Keweenaw Peninsula many times, in the spring when the leaves are beginning to emerge, in the summer with the thimbleberries, huckleberries, raspberries, bilberries coming to fruit, and in the fall when the vibrant reds and yellows overwhelm me with their beauty. This route never fails to fill me with awe. Watch out for wildlife, though. We see deer and turkeys every day. The area is also home to moose, bear, wolves and river otters.

As I write this, I see a doe and two fawns walk past my window, on a trail that goes up to Brockway Mountain. These deer, plus a flock of turkeys are frequent visitors.

I must admit that I have not driven it in the winter. The area is known for its heavy snowfalls, making it a mecca for snowmobilers, snowshoers, fat tire bikers and skiers, both cross country and downhill. Last winter, over 300 inches of snow fell here. Snowmobile trail crossings are clearly marked on the highways that traverse the Keweenaw. I know a couple of people who attended school at Michigan Tech in Houghton as much for the cross country skiing as for the excellent engineering program.

Right now in Copper Harbor, the northernmost town in the Keweenaw Peninsula, things are pretty quiet, summer activities are closed down, and the snow is still a few weeks off, I think. Most shops and restaurants are closed, at least for the month of November. After the snow falls and the trails are groomed, some restaurants will reopen, others will wait until Spring. The Country Village Shop stays open year round, as does the Gas Lite General Store (The Genny) although with shorter hours. Grandpa’s Barn (book store) physical location will close, but you can still get your books on-line.

The World Atlas recent article about the “9 Most Scenic Drives in the Great Lakes” talks about the many attractions along the Copper Country Trail, an area that flourished during the 1800s after copper was found in abundance. Today, it is heritage that abounds, with Fort Wilkins State Historic Park, abandoned mine site (several are open for tours), homes that housed management and employees, theaters, churches, schools and more. The town of Copper Harbor is home to one of the few operational one-room schoolhouses in the US, current enrollment 3 students.

The Keweenaw National Historical Park, headquartered in Calumet, was formed in 1992 to commemorate the copper mining heritage of the area. Unlike other national parks, Keweenaw NHP does not own the heritage sites, rather they are owned by the state or local governments or non-profit organizations. The twenty-three sites include abandoned copper mines, museums, historic buildings and lighthouses, as well as Fort Wilkins.

It’s well worth a drive up here, spend a few days, experience the history and still unspoiled beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula.