We are fortunate here in Copper Harbor to live among so much scenic beauty and unique natural wonders. Efforts have been made in the past and will continue to be made into to the future, to save and set aside special areas for preservation and public use. Please enjoy these areas and cherish them as the treasures they are.

There is more info about our parks and preserves linked throughout the Summer & Winter Guides too!

Hunter's Point Park - The newest addition to area parks and preserves is Hunter's Point Park. The park reaches from the inside harbor just west of the Copper Harbor Marina and follows the peninsula that juts out into Lake Superior. It is a special place to Copper Harbor residents as well as visitors to the area. Access to the point was in jeopardy a few years ago when a development company purchased it along with the surrounding property. Through the efforts of a fund-raiser and a State grant, it is now a Township Park and continues to be open to the public. A handicapped accessible boardwalk and viewing area are planned for the park this year.

Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary - The 377.5 acre Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary is home to the oldest living trees in Michigan. The sanctuary is about 2.5 miles south of Copper Harbor, accessible by road during the summer months and by snowshoe during the winter. The 1.5-mile Cathedral Grove Trail and the 1.4-mile Memorial Grove Loop feature many pines that are more than 100 feet tall and 200-600 years old. Other sanctuary attractions include rare fern species, precious orchids and other delicate woodland plants as well as interesting birds.

Upson Lake - 100 acres between Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor. The lake occupies about 1/3 of the sanctuary which is surrounded by northern dry-mesic pine forest.

Keweenaw Shores - This 36 acre sanctuary protects Lake Superior shoreline and land across Brockway Mountain where it connect with Upson Lake.

James H. Klipfel -160 acres just past the Rooks Memorial.

James Dorian Rooks Memorial Trail - Formerly called Brockway Mountain Nature Sanctuary, this 78 acres shelters many unusual plant and wildflowers.

Homer L and Hattie Hylton Memorial - 6 acres with nearly a 1/2 mile of Lake Superior shoreline, this sanctuary is about 4 miles west of Copper Harbor.

NPS Website
(Isle Royale pg)

Isle Royale National Park - One of the nations 2 island National Parks may not be located in Copper Harbor, but the town is the gateway to the park. Isle Royale is a special place of true wilderness and great beauty. Rock Harbor offers lodging, dining and general goods. No motorized vehicles, bicycles or pets are allowed on the island. There are trails from one end to the other and places to make camp along the way. The Isle Royale Queen IV in Copper Harbor takes passengers to Rock Harbor in about 3 hours.

TNC Website
(Mt. Baldy pg)

Mary Macdonald Preserve at Horseshoe Harbor - This preserve is located at the north end of the Keweenaw Peninsula just east of Copper Harbor. Stunted shrubs and trees cling to ancient bedrock directly in the path of Lake Superior’s fierce winds. Only the hardiest plants can withstand constant exposure to the lake’s winds and waves. Just inland from the bedrock beach, a boreal forest thrives in the cool, moist climate. 1,433 acres.

Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy - Also known as Lookout Mountain, the preserve features a craggy, mile long ridge top that harbors a “northern bald” community containing several nearly treeless openings. These openings harbor several disjunct alpine prairie plant species scattered amongst wind-contorted white cedar and ground juniper.