New trail open as ORV season kicks off in Copper Country

CALUMET, Mich. (WJMN) — We’re well into off-roading season as trails in the Keweenaw Peninsula enter their second week of being open to he public, and one trail is back open after it was washed out in the Father’s Day Flood six years ago.

While state-owned trails have been open since the beginning of April, many routes north of Calumet are largely on private land, and open up a month later.

This week, the areas tourism cheerleaders at Visit Keweenaw are telling us about some choice trails they say are worth the trip north. Here are three stops as described by Visit Keweenaw’s Jesse Wiederhold:

High Rock Bay: If you’re riding north, go all the way to the tip of the Keweenaw. You can’t walk, and you can’t drive a sport car – so ORV (or a high-lifted 4WD) is the only option. Here, many miles past where the pavement of US-41 ends, you can gaze out into an uninterrupted Lake Superior.

A rocky, jagged shoreline protects the land from the waves and makes for a beautiful, relaxing summer scene. A public toilet was recently added to this remote destination.

Calumet Lake: Stop in Calumet for a gorgeous park featuring plenty of seats to take a break from riding. Have a bonfire here or play a quick round of frisbee golf. Try your hand at fishing this inland lake for pike and other panfish.

Stop in Calumet to find yourself a historical watering hole like Shute’s! Much of Calumet is ORV friendly and you can park just like a car in the street.

Dreamland: a newly reconnected trails community. Go support the trails and businesses in Dreamland and Lake Linden! In 2023, Trail 3/BD was repaired and expected to be utilized this winter by snowmobilers who hadn’t been able to ride into Lake Linden, Dollar Bay or Bootjack from Hancock in six years.

With a below average winter in terms of Keweenaw snowfall, ORV riders will be the first to get their real miles in on this section of trail on the eastern side of the peninsula. Try stopping in the Dreamland Bar or the Loading Zone II in Lake Linden along your way.

Wiederhold says while they hope people go up to enjoy the trails, Visit Keweenaw wants to remind people to follow the necessary rules; particularly the 25 MPH speed limits in residential areas.

You can learn more about what the areas ORV trails have to offer on Visit Keweenaw’s website .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.