Fort Wilkins Historic State Park⎮Copper Harbor, Michigan
written by Nancy Carter, Making My Own Lane
Camping in Fort Wilkins Historic State Park⎮Copper Harbor, Michigan
Located on the shore of Lake Superior, Copper Harbor is the northernmost community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Keweenaw County. The closest US Interstate Highway is about 5 hours away. There are less than 100 year-round residents.
There are only two roads into and out of Copper Harbor.
US Highway 41 - an eleven-mile two-lane roadway winding through a tunnel of trees. Highway 41 stretches from Copper Harbor all the way to Florida. Video This is the road that I decided to take because it was what my RV-friendly GPS recommended both ways.
Highway M-26 - or Lakeshore Drive, which primarily follows Lake Superior.
At about the 5.5 miles mark on US Highway 41, you will find the world’s largest snow thermometer. The snowfall average is 270 inches.
The Astor Shipwreck of 1844
I was drawn to a beautiful area along Lake Superior, about a 5-minute drive from the campground. As you look into the distance, you can see a lighthouse, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse.
The only way to visit this lighthouse is by a guided boat tour.
If you read the signage at the lakefront, you realize that you are looking at the exact site of the wreck of the schooner-style ship, the John Jacob Astor in 1844.
No lives were lost, but the schooner was left in the small harbor until it just broke apart with the wreckage scattered between the Fort Wilkins dock and the Copper Harbor lighthouse.
How many days do you need in Copper Harbor?
I was there for two nights. You can also book a boat to Isle Royale National Park and leave your car or RV in Copper Harbor across from the dock.
I was there in late August, and the boat tours were already running less frequently.
Hint: book your boat tours well in advance to make sure you can get one, and check directly with the boat tour company when you get to Copper Harbor for any scheduling changes or cancellations.
The town itself is less than 10-blocks long, so the best way to experience it is to park your vehicle and start walking.
Where is there to do in Copper Harbor?
There were a few restaurants in town, the town’s one room schoolhouse, the post office/Copper Harbor Museum, a couple of coffee shops, with the best one being near the boat tours, in my opinion.
You will also find some small motel-type places to stay, and some eclectic and interesting shops, including the Copper Harbor Trading Post, which also has basic grocery items in case you forgot something.
If you’re still craving the excitement of remote exploration, there are other historical sites to see, like the Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary, the Keweenaw Rocket Range, and Brockway Mountain Drive. I didn’t go to any of these.
Some of these are challenging to access, down narrow or dirt roads.
There are also miles of hiking, Mountain Biking, and ATV trails.
Fort Wilkins
In 1844, the federal government and the US Army built Fort Wilkins to help maintain law and order during the copper rush. But it only operated for a couple of years because there wasn’t as much conflict as anticipated.
It was abandoned in 1870, and became a Michigan State Park in 1923.
At the entrance to the fort, near the visitor center, you can see some pits dug during the copper mining period.
You can find the old cemetery near the main parking lot.
There are 19 buildings, with 12 of them original log and frame structures.
You can see interactive museum exhibits, including audio visual programs, and possibly costumed workers that allow visitors to see the daily routines and way of life at the fort.
Are pets allowed at Fort Wilkins?
You can bring your leashed pet into Fort Wilkins State Park. The only area I saw no dogs allowed signs were near the old cemetery
How much does it cost to get into Fort Wilkins State Park?
If you enter on foot, it’s free. However, if you come by car or RV, You will also need to have, or purchase, a Michigan State Park Pass for each vehicle you have with you. I purchased a non resident pass for $40 and paid $8 per stay for my towed vehicle. If I were staying in more than 5 state parks, it would have made sense to buy another non resident pass for my Jeep, too.
There is a large parking lot with plenty of parking for all sizes of RVs and vehicles.
Where did I stay in Copper Harbor?
I stayed at the Fort Wilkins State Park, right next to Fort Wilkins historic site.
You will definitely need to have a reservation instead of just showing up and hoping to find a site for a night or two.
Book your campsite as far in advance as possible. I had no trouble finding a site four months in advance, but it was fully booked while I was there.
When I was there, the west loop was closed for renovation, due to reopen in spring of 2025 with new bathhouses, so half of the sites in the campground were unavailable.
The 50 amp, larger sites are in the west loop.
You will also need to have, or to purchase, that Michigan State Park Pass to park your vehicles in the campground.
The site I was on had 30 amp electric, and water, but no sewer. There was a dump station and a place to fill your tanks with potable water.
The restrooms were very clean, with private showers
The sites on the east side were tight. I was able to back my tow dolly in and disconnect, but to get my car back on the dolly, I drove the RV over to the Fort Wilkins historic site parking area, then walked back and got my Jeep. They have a great camp store where you can get firewood and other camping related items.
I was one of the larger RVs in the park, at just 27 feet. I did notice a lot of larger rigs driving into the campground, and then they just kept going when they realized they weren’t going to fit into any of the available sites because they were too big.
I was not able to look at the sites on the west side, but if you have a rig over 30 to 35 feet, check the west side to see if it is more accommodating for you.
My ATT and TMobile hot spots did not work well. I was able to watch TV at night, but I had to hang out by the restrooms or the post office in town to check my email, and even text!
Is Copper Harbor worth going to?
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and Copper Harbor are definitely worth visiting! It is very remote, and the town is very small, but very picturesque and you do feel like you are in the middle of nowhere.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about my trip to Copper Harbor or Fort Wilkins State Park, or if you would like to know when I publish a new blog post, you can message me here.
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Hi there! I'm Nancy.
In 2023, I ditched my heels for hiking boots, sold my house, and decided to travel the US full time in my 2005 Lazy Daze Class C RV.
I love to share the places I travel to and what it's like to live in an RV full-time.
If you have ever thought about hitting the road and traveling in an RV, either in your free time or full time, you are in the right place!
Follow along for weekly blog posts about my adventures as I travel the US with my two dogs, Rufus and Willie, and my cat, Katie.