Travel through Michigan’s last frontier before sled season
The leaves are turning and the gales of November are rocking against Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It’s the special time of year when the northernmost tip of the Mitten State puts on a spectacular show of autumn colors. The heat of the season is fading down and nights are cooler – it’s time to break out the flannels and warm jackets. Eight hours north of Detroit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula you’ll find the perfect place to fit in that last ORV trip before it’s time to pull out the snowmobiles. Ride to the end of the state at High Rock Bay, find waterfalls and soak in Michigan’s northwoods one more time on your quad or side-by-side.
Chilly, But Cozy
Temperatures can begin to dip into the mid 40s by this time of year at night – so seriously – pack your warm clothes. Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded by Lake Superior which intensifies wind and can bring a big chill if you’re underdressed. Bring windproof layers and insulated gloves if you’ll be hitting the trails. This time of year is quieter and you’ll have many stretches of trails all to yourself. But, with the brisk temperatures come the comfort of the Keweenaw. You’ll smell crisp morning air and fireplaces burning along your travels. Stop along the way and warm up in your favorite places – or stay tuned to learn some new ones.
In the morning, the region can be dense with fog. Especially over the Portage Canal between Houghton and Hancock. If you’re an early bird, go look during the first hours of sunlight to see a rolling haze on the canal. It looks like a thick gray blanket – sometimes making it impossible to see the towns from each side!
In the Keweenaw – you’ll find 160+ miles of ORV trails. When the mines closed in the 1900s, all the train tracks left behind were converted to multi-use ORV/snowmobile trails. That means you will be passing by pieces of living history. Keep your eyes peeled for secret sights only ORV riders will know going by old mining ruins and tall mine shafts throughout the peninsula.
Set Your Compass North For the Full Fall Effect
Now, let’s go as close to the end of the world as you can get (in Michigan). High Rock Bay is a rugged, backwoods point at the top of the Keweenaw on Lake Superior. The ride alone is about seven miles off US-41. You’ll be going through water pits, over exposed bedrock and angled sections that can put you on three wheels if you’re not careful. Make sure you let someone know if you head up this way, because you won’t have cellular signal. Once you arrive, the tight path through the forest opens up into a park area. The grassy outcropping opens up toward a large craggy shoreline of dark bedrock dipping into Lake Superior. Be sure to take a photo so your friends believe you made it there!
High Rock Bay is open to “off-grid” camping – and a vault toilet was recently installed to accommodate visitation. Imagine falling asleep to the sound of lapping waves after a pastel sunset across Gitchee Gumee and waking up to a fiery sunrise. If camping isn’t your thing, the Mariner North and the Brockway Mountain Inn are open year round and have cozy accommodations for you to turn in for the night. The Mariner is a hot spot for lunch and dinner with a bar and plenty of room for you to park outside with your fleet of friends.
While You’re in Copper Harbor
It’s always a good idea to stretch your legs, or walk off some calories from lunch after riding most of your day! A few incredible places to see “Up North” are Horseshoe Harbor, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse, and Estivant Pines.
Just off US-41 about two miles past where the pavement ends, you’ll see a sign for Horseshoe Harbor. It’s a short, rugged jot to a parking lot where you will turn off your machine and see the Keweenaw’s unique geology. It’s about a two mile out and back hike on relatively flat terrain. Horseshoe Harbor shows off ancient bedrock carved by glaciers. There’s a tall ridge hugging the shore that extends out, forming a horseshoe shape. (Hence the name!) It’s one of the most quiet, serene places in the whole peninsula. Be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles here, packing out what you pack in and being gentle on the land. This preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy is one of the only places in Michigan that supports the life of unique carnivorous plants due to its microclimate on the shore.
Closer to Copper Harbor proper, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse can be viewed from Astor Shipwreck Park. A gorgeous harbor and sight, the Copper Harbor lighthouse is still a functional navigation point for freighters and other boats passing by the Keweenaw Peninsula. Pull over, and take a look at Fanny Hooe Creek which runs parallel along the park to the shore. Go down the steps to the beach and look for flat stones to skip across the water.
If you want real peace and quiet, take a quick ride over to Estivant Pines. This nature sanctuary is maintained by the Michigan Nature Association and offers about two-and-a-half miles of trails for you to walk on foot. It’s past the Copper Harbor Visitor Center – turn onto Manganese Road and look for Burma Road on the right. Stop for Manganese Falls for a quick photo of an energetic waterfall. Don’t leave the viewing platform – the sides of the gorge are dangerous if you leave the lookout.
Another Fresh Trail Experience
It’s only been two years since the stretch of Trail BD between Hancock, Dollar Bay and Lake Linden was restored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners. This new trail hugs Portage Lake and takes you through a beautiful slice of the Keweenaw. Stop in the Loading Zone II or Lindell’s for a hot lunch or dinner to keep your body fueled. If your ORV tank is also on E – there’s places to get gas here too. This stretch is less popular and is an alternative way to get up north from the Houghton-Hancock area. Remember, if you need to cross the bridge to or from the Bill Nichols Trail – you need a police escort. There are scheduled times or you can ask either side’s police department for an escort if you are coming through at an alternative hour. Trail BD has epic sights of the Keweenaw Waterway and makes for a rewarding sidequest.
Scenic Stops Along the Way
• Cliff View Area – climb to the overlook where fall colors spill across the spine of the Keweenaw. Don’t miss the atmospheric Cliff Mine cemetery nearby. You can access this just off the trail where Cliff Drive meets US-41. Make sure you have a decent lift going through the creek up the Cliff Range.
• Cliff View Bar – a local watering hole just down the road, great for swapping trail stories.
• Eagle River Falls – roadside waterfall that glows golden in autumn light. It’s easily accessible with a pedestrian bridge to view the falls.
• Fitzgerald’s Restaurant & Hotel – lakeside barbecue and bourbon with one of the best sunset views on Superior. Fitzgerald’s is also a great place to stay. Make sure you book your food/hotel reservations online!
Fuel Up Smart – Gas stations thin out the further north you ride. Top off in Calumet, Lake Linden, or Copper Harbor before venturing to High Rock Bay.
Check the Forecast – Early-season snow squalls or lake-effect rain can hit fast. Always have rain gear stashed.
Respect Trail Work – Stay on marked routes, especially near the restored BD sections. If you see a “closed” sign or a gate up – please respect it. The Keweenaw ATV club works every year with land owners to preserve access to our beautiful trails. Some private land access closes before ORV season is over. Check local trail updates with the Keweenaw ATV Club or Visit Keweenaw (the local Welcome Center) before heading out.
Pack a Thermos – Hot coffee or something warm to sip on goes a long way in the fall time!
Watch for Wildlife – The Keweenaw is a wild place with deer and other sizable creatures that may be trying to cross the trails. Be mindful of your speed and be sure to brake safely for animals. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a bald eagle or even a wolf in the woods. (Make sure to keep a big distance from any wildlife.)
The Keweenaw’s Autumn Curtain Call
There’s a fleeting magic to the Keweenaw in late fall. The colors blaze, the trails whisper with history, and Lake Superior roars against the edges of Michigan’s last frontier. In a matter of weeks, snow will swallow the ridges and valleys, and sled tracks will take over where tires now roll. But right now, the peninsula is yours to savor—one last ride through winding forests, along roaring waterfalls, and out to the wild edges of Mother Superior herself.
It’s not just about squeezing in another ORV trip. It’s about breathing in the sharp, woodsmoke air. It’s about standing at High Rock Bay, where Michigan’s land simply ends, and realizing you’ve gone as far as Michigan will take you. It’s about that sense of scale—the same Superior winds that can chill you to the bone reminding you just how alive you feel when you’re out here.
So take this moment before winter clamps down. Roll the throttle, feel the crunch of fallen leaves under your tires, and carry home the memory of Michigan’s north country giving its final bow before sled season. Make sure to download a trail map, as reception is limited to non-existent north of Calumet. But, the disconnect helps you reconnect with nature and yourself. Ride safe, ride right and enjoy Michigan’s untamed northernmost point. •