Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park
Jay W.
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

Beautiful Lake Superior and Free History Lesson

This park is one of the best I have visited in the Nation! The scenery is unspeakable beauty. Situated on the very tip of Copper Country in Copper Harbor, Michigan and the beginning of U.S. HWY 41 that makes its way all the way to Florida! On one side of the park you have views of the vast Lake Superior and on the other is breathtaking views of Lake Fanny Hooe. This lake is beautiful especially on a clear day and seeing the reflection of trees that line the lake can take your breath away. The grounds are well kept and restrooms and showers are always clean. The park offers plenty of hiking but the area is known for it's mountain biking! This is a common sport here, you will lose count the number of mountain bikes you see, they take it seriously here. On the park grounds is an old Army fort from the Civil War era. The buildings of this fort are immaculate and very well kept. This is a self guided tour and should take an hour or more to complete depending on how much you want to learn. During the Summer months they do a reinactment of the era with a firing of the cannon every morning. For those familiar with Michigan, I would say it is similar to Fort Mackinaw on Mackinaw Island, except this is free and just as good if not a more personal experience. The only downside I have about this park is the size of the campsites are a little small for my liking and when full, campers are on top of each other and this is another mostly open campground with little if no trees sperating campers from one another. There are shops, lodging and restaurants down the road. I can say I have not been impressed with any of the restaurants but I don't rate my campgrounds based on what's available to eat, I just point it out to give a general review of the area. Copper Harbor also offers one of two shipping docks that give you a ride to Isle Royal National Park, the other is in the Houghton/Hancock area which you pass on the way into the Penninsula. Taking the trip from Copper Harbor saves about 2 hours to the Island. These trips should be booked well in advance! Enjoy riding up one side of the Peninsula and driving down the other side for a drive only made for movies! Stop for ice cream, shop for jam, and drive through the paved block downtown Calumet. While in Calumet check out some of the most historic bars for good drinks and food as well as stories from the bartenders as they do a excellent job explaining the history of the bar!

  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — Fort Wilkins State Historic Park by Jay W., July 18, 2018