Full-Day: Porcupine Mountains

The Copper Range Historical Museum preserves and tell the stories of life on the Range towns during the late 19th and 20th century.

NPS Photo: Nathan Miller

Distance: 75 miles
Drive Time: 7-9 hours

From Calumet, head south on US-41. After crossing the bridge from Hancock to Houghton, keep right onto M-26 south. In South Range, turn right on Trimountain Rd. Copper Range Historical Society will be on your right. During the summer season, this artifact-rich museum depicts what life was like on the southern end of the former mining district.

 

The Adventure Mine offers a menu of underground guided adventures.

NPS Photo: Nathan Miller

Continue on M-26 to Greenland, which turns into M-38 towards Ontonagon. Watch for the Adventure Mine signs along the highway; turn left on to Plank Rd and a left on to Adventure. Follow signs to Adventure Mine gift shop and visitor center. Here you can experience a variety of tours for all ages and adventure seekers. Head back to M-38 and continue towards Ontonagon. Keep right onto Greenland Rd to enter the town of Ontonagon. This will meet with River St and the Ontonagon County Historical Museum will be on your left. The museum is open year round with exhibits featuring mining, logging, farming and much more. Give yourself plenty of time to explore this extensive collection.

 

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers a variety of hikes to different sites , like the historic Nonesuch Mine and Nonesuch waterfall.

NPS Photo: Nathan Miller

Head back down River St and bear right onto Rockland Rd. Turn right on M-64 to head towards Silver City and Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. In addition to numerous historic copper mining sites, this nearly 60,000 acre park offers summer and winter recreational opportunities. Take M-64 back to Ontonagon, which turns into M-38 to head back to Greenland. Take M-26 north M-26 back to Houghton. Merge with US-41, cross the bridge into Hancock, and head back to Calumet.