Keweenaw National Historical Park

Keweenaw National Historical Park
Image credit: picture by chumlee10 licenced under Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Keweenaw National Historical Park is located at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan, covering an area of approximately 1,700 acres. It was established by Congress in 1992 to preserve and interpret the region's rich copper mining history.

The Keweenaw Peninsula boasts a unique geological heritage, as it is the world's largest ancient lava flow. The park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the remnants of the area's copper mining industry, which was responsible for supplying a significant portion of the nation's copper during its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors to Keweenaw National Historical Park can discover the region's fascinating history through a range of engaging activities. The park features various historical sites, including mining locations, historic towns, and industrial buildings. The Quincy Mine Hoist, Quincy Smelter, and Ahmeek Stamp Mill are among the key attractions showcasing the mining industry's technology and processes during that era.

The park also offers guided tours and interpretive programs, providing visitors with insights into the lives of the miners and their families. Additionally, there are hiking and biking trails throughout the park, allowing nature enthusiasts to explore the picturesque landscapes and experience the region's diverse flora and fauna.

Beyond the park's boundaries, the nearby towns of Calumet and Hancock offer additional historical attractions. Calumet features the Calumet Theatre, a beautifully restored opera house that serves as a venue for various performances and events. In Hancock, visitors can explore the Quincy Mine's No. 2 Shaft-Rockhouse, which offers a unique underground tour experience.

Overall, Keweenaw National Historical Park provides a captivating journey into the copper mining history of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Visitors can immerse themselves in the region's past through historical sites, guided tours, and engaging activities while enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the area.

Location

Keweenaw National Historical Park is nestled within the picturesque Upper Peninsula of Michigan, proudly showcasing its rich history and natural beauty. Located along the shores of Lake Superior, the park encompasses a vast area of approximately 1,700 square miles. It stretches across the Keweenaw Peninsula, a narrow strip of land jutting out into the expansive lake, bordered by majestic forests and rolling hills. This geographically unique location offers visitors breathtaking vistas of pristine beaches, towering cliffs, and serene inland lakes. With its strategic location connecting the Great Lakes and the vast North American continent, Keweenaw National Historical Park is a remarkable destination that seamlessly blends awe-inspiring landscapes with a captivating history.

Address & Contact

25970 Red Jacket Road
Calumet, MI 49913
Driving Directions
Phone: 9063373168
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Keweenaw National Historical Park is during the months of June, July, and August. These months offer pleasant weather with average maximum temperatures ranging from 70°F to 77°F and average minimum temperatures between 45°F and 52°F. The average monthly precipitation during this time ranges from 3.2 in to 3.6 in, providing moderate rainfall for outdoor activities. Additionally, visitor counts during June, July, and August are at their peak, indicating a lively atmosphere without overcrowding.

Things to do and learn in Keweenaw National Historical Park

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Keweenaw National Historical Park are: Food Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits Biking Road Biking Hiking Front-Country Hiking Backcountry Hiking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Mountain Biking Compass and GPS Geocaching

Topics

Learn about these topics at Keweenaw National Historical Park: Animals Geology Archeology Industry Mining Immigration

Amenities

Visitor Centers

Calumet Visitor Center

The Calumet Visitor Center is located at 98 5th Street in downtown Calumet. Visitors can explore 2 floors of interactive exhibits, films, and museum pieces focusing not only on mining history, but also the social aspect of the communities that developed to support mining operations. The Visitor Center is free of charge and provides accessible features. Please note that the Visitor Center will be open as staffing allows. Call (906) 337-3168 for the most current information.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Calumet Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Keweenaw National Historical Park

This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).

Hotels within or near Keweenaw National Historical Park

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Holiday Inn Express Houghton-Keweenaw, an IHG Hotel

Located in Houghton, Holiday Inn Express Houghton-Keweenaw, an IHG Hotel is in a rural location, within a 5-minute drive of Mont Ripley Ski Area and Finlandia University. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-out. Planning an event in Houghton? This hotel has facilities measuring 875 square feet (79 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1110 Century Way, Hancock, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

Quality Inn & Suites

Located in Houghton, Quality Inn & Suites is a 3-minute walk from HoughtonHancock Bridge and a 2-minute drive from Mont Ripley Ski Area. Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Houghton? This hotel has facilities measuring 500 square feet (45 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 215 Shelden Ave, Houghton, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

Super 8 by Wyndham Houghton

With a stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Houghton in Houghton, you'll be on a lake, just a 4-minute walk from Isle Royale National Park and 8 minutes by foot from Isle Royale Houghton Visitor Center. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Planning an event in Houghton? This hotel has facilities measuring 1188 square feet (110 square meters), including a meeting room.
Address: 1200 E Lakeshore Dr, Houghton, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Houghton, MI

Located in Houghton, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Houghton, MI is in a rural location, within a 15-minute walk of Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon and Mine Shaft. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 919 Razorback Dr, Hancock, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

Magnuson Hotel Franklin Square Inn

When you a stay at Magnuson Hotel Franklin Square Inn in Houghton, you'll be on a river, within a 5-minute walk of Isle Royale National Park and Isle Royale Houghton Visitor Center. Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary at scheduled times.
Address: Shelden Avenue, Houghton, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

Carla's Inn and Restaurant

When you a stay at Carla's Inn and Restaurant in Baraga, you'll be on a lake, just steps from Lake Superior and Keweenaw Bay. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 14258 US Hwy 41, Baraga, Michigan 49908
Web: Link

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

When you stay at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, you'll be in the historical district, within a 5-minute drive of Lake Superior and Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 14252 US-41, Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918
Web: Link

The Vault Hotel

A stay at The Vault Hotel places you in the heart of Houghton, within a 5-minute drive of HoughtonHancock Bridge and Michigan Technological University. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, luggage storage, and an elevator. Planning an event in Houghton? This hotel has 400 square feet (37 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 600 Shelden Ave, Houghton, Michigan 49931
Web: Link

News and Alerts

Date issued Details
2026-04-07Advisory Commission to Meet
The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will convene for its regular quarterly meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The meeting will be held in-person at Keweenaw National Historical Park Headquarters building, located at 25970 Red Jacket Road. This is the corner of Red Jacket Road and Hwy. US-41 in Calumet. More
2025-07-25Commissioned Artist for Keweenaw National Historical Park, to Unveil New Sculptures
Keweenaw National Historical Park, the Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission, Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association, and the Quincy Mine Hoist Association will unveil three new sculptures at the Quincy Smelter (48991 Maple St, Hancock, MI), on Wednesday, July 30, at 10:00 a.m. All members of the public are invited to attend. More
2025-05-12Advisory Commission announces 2025 Keweenaw Heritage Grant Awards
(Posted on behalf of the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission.) The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission is pleased to announce that this year’s Keweenaw Heritage Grant program has awarded $124,880 in funding for various historic preservation, interpretation, education, and curatorial projects covering an area stretching from Copper Harbor to Rockland. More
2025-01-06Advisory Commission to Meet
The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will convene for its regular quarterly meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The meeting will be held in-person at the Keweenaw National Historical Park Headquarters building, located on the corner of Red Jacket Road and Hwy. US-41 in Calumet. More
2024-09-30Advisory Commission to Meet
The Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission will convene for its regular quarterly meeting at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024. The meeting will be held in-person at the Keweenaw National Historical Park Headquarters building. More
2024-09-13Kasey Koski, Commissioned Artist for Keweenaw National Historical Park, to Unveil Sculptures
Keweenaw National Historical Park, the Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission, and Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association scheduled the unveiling of four sculptures on the landscape at the Quincy Dry House Ruins along US-41, Thursday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; all members of the public are invited to attend. More