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Parks, Trails and More in Eagle Harbor, Michigan





Eagle Harbor is one of the most photographed locations on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The charming village borders Lake Superior and an interior bay, called Eagle Harbor. The dark blue water of Eagle Harbor, the historic Eagle Harbor Light Station, and the surrounding landscape provide a picture perfect setting.

The area is popular for playing outdoors. Whether you want to ride a bike, paddle a kayak, ski cross-country, snowmobile picturesque terrain, relax at the beach, or just go for a scenic drive, Eagle Harbor and the Keweenaw Peninsula have plenty to offer.

Bike Routes

For cyclists who enjoy riding along scenic country roads, the M-26 bike route along the Keweenaw Peninsula and the route on Brockway Mountain Drive combine for one of the the most scenic rides in Michigan. There is no bike lane or wide road shoulder, and you will need to ride along the outer edge of the road. The ride from Phoenix to Eagle River, Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor is simply breathtaking, especially in the fall on sunny days when the leaves are changing colors. You can see waterfalls, panoramic views of Lake Superior, rocky harbors, historic locations and much more along the way. There are many spots where you can pull over and stop to see the sights. Even if you don't want to bike it and just decide to drive the route, it's still a worthwhile roadtrip. View maps of the Eagle Harbor section and bike routes.

Snowmobile & Cross-Country Ski Trails

The Keweenaw Peninsula gets plenty of snow from December through March, with an average of more than 250 inches of snow for the season. Near Eagle Harbor, groomed trails for snowmobling and cross-country skiing are only a short distance away.

The cross-country ski trailhead is about half a mile southwest of Eagle Harbor. Ski trail loops of various lengths offer cross-country skiiers a challenging adventure between Eagle Harbor and the Great Sand Bay. From the trailhead, it's about 3 miles one-way to the Great Sand Bay area and M-26. See the Eagle Harbor trails map for the specific ski routes.

Interconnecting snowmobling trails across the Keweenaw Peninsula cover over 200 miles, and the hilly (and sometimes steep) terrain can provide a thrilling ride. The snow is usually heaviest near the center of peninsula in the higher elevations. Delaware, which is about three miles south of Eagle Harbor, is known for its abundant snowfall and is called the "Snow Capital of the Midwest". From Eagle Harbor, it's approximately 24 miles to Laurium and 13 miles to Copper Harbor. See the maps page for the various snowmobile trails to Eagle Harbor and other places.

Eagle Harbor Parks

Eagle Harbor Beach is a large public park located near downtown, with parking along the east side of M-26. The long, sandy swimming beach has beautiful views of the harbor area and a few pieces of playground equipment.

Koop-Black Cove is just north of M-26 and features a beautiful copper-colored shoreline. It's view of the harbor and Eagle Harbor Light Station is one of the most photographed spots around, a truly beautiful location. If you like the view at Koop-Black Cove, you may like Cat Harbor also, where you can sometimes see large freighters crossing Lake Superior in the distance.

The Eagle Harbor Public Square Complex is located between Third and Fourth Streets in Eagle Harbor. The park's playground features swings, a climbing wall and other play equipment. A small picnic shelter, basketball court, volleyball court, and playing field is also part of the park, which is located adjacent to the Eagle Harbor Township Hall.

Boggio's Fishing Hole Park is a small park along Eliza Creek with benches and spots for catch-and-release fishing.

Eagle Harbor Marina is across the harbor from the Eagle Harbor Beach. The park features a public boat launch and ample parking for boat trailers. Kayaks can be launched from the boat launch area. A picnic area on the west side of the park provides beautiful views of Eagle Harbor Light Station and the shoreline. From mid-June to early October, the Life-Saving Station Museum at the marina is open to visitors. To drive to the marina, take M-26 east from Eagle Harbor and turn left at Grand Marais Street, which has a brown directional sign that says "Eagle Harbor Marina".

The Eagle Harbor Community Building, formerly the Eagle Harbor School House, serves as a meeting place for area residents and hosts community groups, such as the Eagle Harbor Book Group.

More About Eagle Harbor

Eagle Harbor Light Station was built in 1871 and is one of the most visited attractions in Eagle Harbor. For a small fee, you can tour the inside of the lighthouse and the nearby Maritime Museum, Commercial Fishing Museum, and Keweenaw Mining Museum. The lighthouse is open from mid-June to early October. Be sure to check out the rocky cove north of the lighthouse's parking lot, which is very photogenic.

The Eagle Harbor Life-Saving Station Museum is located on the east side of the harbor at Eagle Harbor Marina. The museum honors the men who braved cold temperatures, stormy conditions, and the chilly waters of Lake Superior to aid stranded vessels and rescue shipwrecked crews. The Eagle Harbor Life-Saving Station Museum is open from mid-June to early October.

Rathbone School on Center Street was built in 1853 and now serves as a museum, open to the public from mid-June to early October. A granite monument located west of the school house honors Justus H. Rathbone, who taught at the school and founded the Knights of Pythias in Washington, D.C. in 1864. The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society whose members has included Franklin D. Roosevelt, William McKinley and Warren G. Harding.

Other historically significant locations in Eagle Harbor include Eagle Harbor House (1845) and the old Eagle Harbor School House (1872) on M-26.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society maintains Rathbone School, Eagle Harbor Light Station, and other historic locations in the region that you can visit, including the Phoenix Church, Central Mine village and Bammert Blacksmith Shop. The Bike Routes and Driving Routes map shows the locations of many attractions between Phoenix and Copper Harbor.

For lodging, Eagle Harbor Inn on North Street and Shoreline Resort have rooms for rent; Eagle Harbor House has a limited number of cabins for rent.

For dining, Eagle Harbor Inn is open for lunch and dinner. Burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and desserts are on the menu. If you want some really good cookies or like jams and jellies, the Jampot is a worth a visit; it's located east of Eagle Harbor on M-26.









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