Summer’s Last Hurrah: The Ultimate August Road Trip Through the Keweenaw Peninsula
There’s something about those final weeks of summer that tug at your heart in the best way. The sun sits a little lower in the sky, the wildflowers lean gold, and there’s a quiet urgency to make one more memory before the rhythm of fall returns. For our family, that magic moment looks like a late August road trip through Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula - a place where Lake Superior kisses rocky shores and adventure waits around every bend.
Whether you’ve never been or you return every year, this 3- to 5-day itinerary is made for families, photographers, and road-trippers looking to soak up the season’s final stretch.
Day 1: History, Hikes, & a Bite in Houghton
We love to start in Houghton, a charming town where college-town energy meets old mining heritage. After stretching our legs with a walk along the waterfront trail, we like to dip into the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum - where we can all marvel at glowing rocks, geek out over Keweenaw copper, and even touch a couple large stones.
Don’t skip the Quincy Mine tour just across the canal in Hancock if your crew is up for it. The underground tour is cool (literally) and gives a fascinating look at the copper boom that built this region.
One of our favorite ways to end the day is by grabbing a pizza from the Ambassador and taking it to an outdoor patio, like KBC, to the playground, like Chutes and Ladders, or back to the waterfront for a lovely green space and boat watching. Then we can either tuck into a local hotel, or summer like the Finnish and find a cozy lakeside cabin.
Day 2: Scenic Stops on the way to Copper Harbor
Here’s where the trip slows down and starts to shine. The best part of the Keweenaw, is Yooper time. ‘Yooper time’? You ask. Yes, Yooper time! It’s slow mornings, late evenings, taking things slow and forgetting that schedules even exist. We start with a slow morning, enjoying a cup of coffee on the lake and breakfast on the porch. Then we hop in the car and head to Hungarian Falls for a short hike with beautiful cascading water and lush woods.
A must-do for us? Picking up sweet and sticky treats from The Jampot, a roadside monastery bakery run by monks in Eagle Harbor. Their thimbleberry jam and peanut butter bars are vacation gold.
From there, we beach-hop. Great Sand Bay is a favorite for a spontaneous swim or a driftwood treasure hunt, and Lake Medora nearby is calm and perfect for a quick paddle. We usually picnic somewhere along the drive - somewhere quiet with a Superior breeze and space for barefoot play.
We arrive in Copper Harbor by late afternoon, checking into a lakeside lodge or campground. If we’ve timed it right, we eat dinner at the Mariner North (killer whitefish sandwiches and pizza!) and watch the sun set from our cabin.
Day 3: Exploring the Edge of the Earth
Copper Harbor may be the end of the road, but it feels like the start of something wild. We like to kick off the day with a walk down to Jamsen’s Bakery for thimbleberry donuts and turnovers. Then we take a morning hike through Estivant Pines, where ancient white pines tower above mossy forest floors. If your kids are up for a bike ride, Copper Harbor’s trails are among the best in the Midwest.
Fort Wilkins State Park offers a dose of history in a stunning setting, and the rocky shoreline along Lake Fanny Hoee is perfect for skipping stones or spotting loons. We also love to explore the trails over by Grandpa’s Barn. Clyde does an amazing job maintaining the land and allows folks to wander the trails he preserves. In the spring, there’s an apple tree hanging over a pond - it looks straight out of a fairy tale!
In the evening, we drive up Brockway Mountain - ideally with a bag of snacks, sweatshirts, and a camera. The view from the top is always breathtaking, but August sunsets over Lake Superior are unforgettable. And if we stay up late? The stars here stretch wider than anywhere we’ve ever seen.
Day 4: Quiet Roads & Nostalgic Finds (Optional Extension)
If you’ve got time to linger a little longer, take the scenic route home down the east side of the peninsula. It’s one of our favorite stretches—peaceful, less traveled, and full of surprise.
We start the morning with a stop at Bete Grise Beach, where soft sand and calm waves make it ideal for little ones to splash while we enjoy a quiet coffee with Superior in view. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Keweenaw—often uncrowded and framed by dunes and distant cliffs. If the weather’s right, we wade out into the shallows or build sandcastles until the sun gets high.
Just down the road is Haven Falls, a small but lovely roadside waterfall where you can stretch your legs or enjoy a quick photo op. It’s right next to a picnic area, so it makes a great snack or early lunch spot.
If you’re up for a short nature walk, the Bete Grise Wetland Preserve offers an easy trail through a protected wetland filled with birds, native plants, and a view into the Keweenaw’s wilder side. It’s quiet and peaceful—perfect for slowing down before the drive continues.
Heading south, we like to stop at Tobacco River Park and Falls near Gay. There’s a footbridge over the falls, trails to wander, and plenty of room for kids to roam. It’s also a great place to hunt for Lake Superior rocks—my kids always find a treasure or two here.
One last stop before heading inland: the Mohawk Mining Stamp Mill ruins, perched quietly along the shoreline. The concrete foundations are remnants of the region’s mining past, and there’s a haunting kind of beauty in seeing history crumble beside the lake. It's a powerful, peaceful place to reflect before heading back toward home.
Before You Go:
Pack layers (Lake Superior has moods), bug spray, beach gear, and a flashlight for stargazing.
Don’t rely on cell service once you’re deep in the peninsula—download maps ahead of time.
Leave space in your cooler—you’ll want to bring home jam, smoked fish, or a few Jampot muffins.
There’s a rhythm to the Keweenaw Peninsula that makes you breathe slower, look longer, and remember what summer is supposed to feel like. It’s become our family’s favorite August tradition—and I hope this guide helps you plan your own “last hurrah” of the season.