Keweenaw Peninsula Copper Mining Heritage Backcountry Circuit

This 28-mile circuit threads together forgotten copper mining roads that haven’t seen regular traffic since the last mine closed in 1995, connecting the ghost settlements of Delaware, Central, and Mohawk through dense hardwood forest and rocky outcrops. The route follows original mining company roads built in the 1880s, passing towering mine headframes, concrete foundations, and slag piles that tell the story of America’s first copper rush. The technical challenge comes at Copper Falls, where the old company road crosses the Eagle River on a sketchy timber bridge that demands careful tire placement.

Moderate difficulty with rocky sections that’ll test stock clearance, but any high-clearance vehicle can handle it with patience. The real obstacles are fallen trees and washouts – pack a chainsaw and shovel. Best run June through September before snow flies in earnest. No permits required on this mix of state and private mining company land, but respect posted boundaries. The reward is stepping back in time to when copper built America, plus some of the most spectacular fall colors in the Midwest.