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of Michigan ’ s copper industry and is another option for overnight stays on the peninsula . For lodging , Rider contributor Chuck Cochran recommends the AmericInn , which has clean , reasonably priced rooms and is within walking distance of restaurants , shops , and the Keweenaw National Historic Park , which highlights the area ’ s 7,000- year history of copper mining .
Continuing north on U . S . Route 41 for a few miles to Ahmeek , turning west on Wright Street and right on Bollman Street puts you on 5 Mile Point Road , which runs north for a few miles before hugging the northwest shore of the peninsula and joining M- 26 near Eagle River , a former mining community with a lighthouse that operated from 1854 to 1908 . The impressive Eagle River Falls are visible from the M- 26 .
From Eagle River , M- 26 follows the shore of Lake Superior , and it ’ s only a few miles to Jacob ’ s Falls , another scenic waterfall on the peninsula . Be sure to stop at the Jampot ( open seasonally ), where monks from Poorrock Abbey sell a variety of all- natural products made from locally sourced ingredients . They were even featured on an episode of Gordon Ramsay ’ s Uncharted TV show !
Ride a few more miles to George Hite Dunes and Marshes Preserve and then the town of Eagle Harbor . As the Keweenaw Peninsula bends to the east – its overall shape looks like
a dolphin ’ s dorsal fin or a cresting wave – the M- 26 runs due east to Copper Harbor , another great destination town near the peninsula ’ s tip .
Although home to only 136 residents , Copper Harbor is an all- season tourist and adventure town that caters not only to motorcyclists but also to hikers , mountain bikers , boaters , anglers , snowmobilers , skiers , birdwatchers , and rockhounds . It ’ s also a launch point for boat trips to Isle Royale National Park . The village has shops , restaurants , a microbrewery , and a general store . The Mariner North is a full- service resort in Copper Harbor with a lodge , motel , cabins , restaurant , and game room .
Above : Eagle River flows into Lake Superior on the northern coast of the Keweenaw Peninsula . There ’ s a dramatic waterfall near the mouth of the river , as well as a historic lighthouse that is now a private residence ( it ’ s available for vacation rentals via Vrbo ). Bottom : Stamp-sand beaches near Gay are made of mine tailings .
44 / APRIL 2025 / RIDERMAGAZINE . COM