Keweenaw National Historical Park: Fees, Hours, Camping and How to Get There

TypeNational Historical Park

StateMichigan

Entrance feeNo entrance fee

CampgroundsNone

Nearest national parkIsle Royale (64 mi)

Closest airportCMX (2 mi)

Two story stone and brick building. The American flag flies in front of a blue sky background — Park Headquarters is housed in the former Calumet & Hecla Mining Company General Office building. Photo: NPS Photo

Keweenaw National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in Michigan.

In the park service’s words

The stories of people and copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula have been intertwined for more than 7,000 years. Indigenous peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived in the 1800s in a great mineral rush, developing thriving industries and cosmopolitan communities. Though the mines have since closed, their mark is still visible on the land and people.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

Keweenaw NHP Ranger Programs (45 to 60 Minutes): Experience Keweenaw NHP with a ranger guided walk!
Go Underground (1 to 6 Hours): A trip to the Copper Country is not complete without getting underground to experience the life of a miner.
Hiking into History: Many of the Park's Heritage sites offer hiking trails.
Discover Keweenaw Lighthouses: A number of the Park's Heritage Sites contain lighthouses.
Visit Museums and Heritage Centers: Many of the Park's Heritage Sites contain museums or heritage centers.
Research History: Doing research on the Copper Country?
Experience Keweenaw Geology: Experience geology at a number of the Park's Heritage Sites.
Step Back in Time: Many of the Park's Heritage Sites allow you to "step back in time."

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The Calumet Unit of Keweenaw NHP encompasses the Village of Calumet and part of Calumet Township. Park grounds (with the exception of private property and the Keweenaw Heritage Sites) are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. The Calumet Visitor Center at 98 Fifth Street has seasonal hours of operation.

Getting there

Keweenaw National Historical Park is located is located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, the northernmost part of Upper Michigan.

Airport	City	Drive to the park	Straight-line miles	Type
Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)	Hancock, MI	No road route	2	Regional
Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (MQT)	Gwinn, MI	No road route	78	Regional
Ford Airport (IMT)	Kingsford, MI	No road route	96	Regional
Minneapolis, Saint Paul International Airport / Wold, Chamberlain Field (MSP)	Minneapolis, MN	No road route	276	Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

Calumet Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 10:00AM - 2:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM; Sun Closed. The Calumet Visitor Center is open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from after Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Weather

Summer: Keweenaw summers are usually mild, with average highs in the 70s, but can reach into the 80s and 90s. Nighttime temperatures are typically cool, but can also dip into the 40s or stay in the 70s. Summer months are dry, with occasional rain or severe thunderstorms. Winter: Again influenced by Lake Superior, winter temperatures are mild with highs in the 20s. Cold spells can occur with subzero temperatures. Lake effect snow is common, and 300 inches of snow can fall in a season.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.