Overview
Copper Harbor is the northernmost city in Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. It is an all-season resort town in northeastern Keweenaw County with a permanent population of 110.
3 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Copper Harbor
Fort Wilkins
It was established by the United States in 1843-44, purportedly, to protect the local Copper Miners from the local Indians. Abandoned around the time of the Mexican War, the post was regarrisoned following the Civil War,…
Copper Harbor Light
Historic lighthouse and has a maritime museum which is open in the summer.
Copper Harbor Cemetery
This historic cemetery discloses the gravestones of some of the earliest settlers in the Copper Country, with the first recorded interment in 1853 and a number of other tombstones that predate the year 1900.
Brockway Mountain Drive
Characterized as "the most beautiful road in Michigan," Brockway Mountain Drive is an 8.89-mile route that follows the spine of a 735-foot-high ridge between the communities of Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor, and is the …
Takka Superior
In here, you can enjoy the Finnish-type sauna experience in the immediate vicinity of Lake Superior without requiring you to travel to Finland yourself!
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMX Houghton County Memorial Airport, Hancock — 35 mi away. Directions
- MQT Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport, Gwinn — 81 mi away. Directions
Copper Harbor is just short of the northeastern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and the end of US-41 (from Miami). Take either US-41 or M-26 north from Houghton-Hancock; the two routes share roadway part of the way, with the state road taking a couple of detours. When they split at the crossroads of Phoenix (about 8 miles north of Ahmeek), you have your choice of routes: M-26 meanders along the Superior shoreline, US-41 "tunnels" through a lovely canopy of trees, and Brockway Mountain Drive (accessible at Eagle Harbor from M-26) follows a ridgeline and offers some great views (but is not plowed in winter and has some very steep grades).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Copper Harbor Light, Takka Superior, Fort Wilkins
- Lunch Harbor Haus Restaurant
- Afternoon Copper Harbor Cemetery, Brockway Mountain Drive
- Dinner Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
- Evening Ziks' Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Summers are warm but rarely hot due to the moderating influence of Lake Superior, while winters are cold and snowy, albeit milder than areas on similar parallels to the west, due to the low-scale maritime moderation. Although winter temperatures are similar to those in Minneapolis, a couple of degrees latitude south-west, the main difference is that April is also a winter month in Copper Harbor, since the marine effects delay spring. The temperature lag effect is so great that March holds the town's record low, and April's record low temperatures are not much warmer than those of December.
Get in
By car
Copper Harbor is just short of the northeastern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and the end of US-41 (from Miami). Take either US-41 or M-26 north from Houghton-Hancock; the two routes share roadway part of the way, with the state road taking a couple of detours. When they split at the crossroads of Phoenix (about 8 miles north of Ahmeek), you have your choice of routes: M-26 meanders along the Superior shoreline, US-41 "tunnels" through a lovely canopy of trees, and Brockway Mountain Drive (accessible at Eagle Harbor from M-26) follows a ridgeline and offers some great views (but is not plowed in winter and has some very steep grades).
By boat
The city is on a harbor of course, but the only commercial service is to and from Isle Royale National Park.
Get around
The city is clustered around the harbor, with most places within easy walking distance. Bicycles or cars will get you further afield.
See
See Fort Wilkins
It was established by the United States in 1843-44, purportedly, to protect the local Copper Miners from the local Indians. Abandoned around the time of the Mexican War, the post was regarrisoned following the Civil War, though, it was permanently abandoned in about 1870. Much of the fort is intact (with some reconstruction) and forms the centerpiece of the eponymous state park.
- US-41 Terminus - Ever wonder what a highway looks like when it just ends? Continue on US-41 north through the town, just past the state park, to the cul-du-sac that marks the northern end-point of a highway that begins in far-off Miami. It's underwhelming... which is part of why it's worth spending the few extra minutes it takes to get there.
See Copper Harbor Light
Historic lighthouse and has a maritime museum which is open in the summer.
See Copper Harbor Cemetery
This historic cemetery discloses the gravestones of some of the earliest settlers in the Copper Country, with the first recorded interment in 1853 and a number of other tombstones that predate the year 1900.
Do
There's a series of trails in the hills outside of town, suitable for hiking and some for all-terrain biking.
- Hunter's Point is a non-hilly point, running out from the west into Lake Superior. It is a Grant Township park, hosting a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is also a well-known stop for migratory birds.
Do Brockway Mountain Drive
Characterized as "the most beautiful road in Michigan," Brockway Mountain Drive is an 8.89-mile route that follows the spine of a 735-foot-high ridge between the communities of Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor, and is the highest-paved road between the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Allegheny Mountains in the east. The notoriously-picturesque road was constructed during the 1930s in the midst of the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration. It offers views of Lake Superior, and the Keweenaw Peninsula, as well the archipelago of Isle Royale on an especially clear, transparent day. There is also a close on the drive called Brockway Mountain Lookout that offers a view of the community of Copper Harbor. The road can be accessed from either Eagle Harbor or Copper Harbor and serves as a scenic loop off M-26. The western end starts at M-26 near Lake Bailey and Agate Harbor.
Buy
There are many local artisan shops and antique stores on the main drag in Copper Harbor, as well as a general store and several fun souvenir shops.
Shop Traprock Pottery
Open seasonally in the backyard of this address, accessible from 2nd street. May be a little hidden by lilacs and cedars. Checks and cash.
Eat
Eat Harbor Haus Restaurant
American German restaurant. Superior German standards, fish, steaks. Closed in winter.
Eat Jamsen's Fish Market & Bakery
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Stay Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground
Stay Fort Wilkins State Park
Two campgrounds suitable for vehicles and tents, on Lake Fanny Hooe.
Go next
Copper Harbor is one of the main gateways to Isle Royale National Park over the horizon in Lake Superior. The Keweenaw Peninsula is host to a plethora of hiking, biking, fishing, or skiing opportunities.
Nearby
Laurium and Calumet
City / town · 8 listings · 30 mi away
Houghton-Hancock
City / town · 33 listings · 40 mi away
L'Anse
City / town · 56 mi away
Isle Royale National Park
Park · 61 listings · 58 mi away
Michigamme
City / town · 1 listings · 65 mi away
Marquette
City / town · 49 listings · 68 mi away
Ishpeming
City / town · 11 listings · 69 mi away
My experience
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