Camp At Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: A Base in Copper Harbor, MI

First decision: where to stay?

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park has a lot going on in 700 acres, and you should take into account the park’s setup when choosing your camp location. The park is bisected by Fanny Hooe Creek, which empties from Lake Fanny Hooe, across the Isthmus, into Lake Superior to the north.

On the east side of the creek lies the park office, the park store, a playground and picnic area, and the eponymous fort. A trail leads north to the shore of Lake Superior. The fort sits next to the river on the west side of the east portion of the park, and the campground lies on the easterly edge, on a grassy field backing up to thick and hilly forest.

On the west side of the creek, a path leads to shore access for Lake Fanny Hooe. The park headquarters, boat ramp, group campground, small rustic cabins, and fishing pier are all here. The campground on this side of the park lies close to the creek and fort, and is nestled into the forest. Campsites are more private here. The playground and picnic area are further away.

The park and fort complex are open from late May through mid-October. A Michigan recreation pass is required to access the park (these are 31 USD and can be purchased at the front gate, and are good for all Michigan state parks all year). All campsites have electrical, fire pits, and picnic tables. They are all close to modern bathroom facilities and fresh water. The small rustic cabins rent for about 50 USD to 70 USD per night, while campsites are 24 USD (26 USD for 50-AMP electrical service), and only 20 or 18 USD during the off-season. Some sites can be reserved on the Michigan DNR website, and some are first-come, first serve.

Explore the ENTIRE fort!

Fort Wilkins Historic Complex is a restored military outpost, originally built in 1844. All the buildings are open, from barracks, to officers’ quarters, the camp store, the bakery, the hospital, the blacksmith’s shop, and more. Every building has been furnished with period-appropriate furniture, tools, and goods. In every building, as well, informational displays guide visitors, educating them on the history of the place, with an emphasis on what life was like for the soldiers, their families, and the staff. You can wander around the fort at will. Docents are usually available to answer questions and share information about the park and the fort.

There’s so much to explore here, you’ll want to stay for at least two or three nights. The 19th-century graveyard is especially nice after dark!

Time your trip for the Living History Program!

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park has a long-standing program that keeps visitors coming back year after year. Each summer, the park brings in costumed actors from the Michigan Historical Center, all educated about life in the fort in the 19th century. The interpreters behave as though they are real denizens of the fort. Soldiers and other characters perform duties and interact with the public.

You might find an older woman approach you, wearing a dust rag on her head and a long, full cotton skirt. She’ll spend some time teaching the kids a silly song from the period, like “Where is Thumbkin?” You could also meet a soldier, who will tell you all about how long he’s been at the fort, and how slow the mail is, getting to and from home.

The Living History Program generally runs mid-June through Mid-August and is free to anyone in the park.

Two beaches to explore and swim

Both Lake Fanny Hooe and Lake Superior flank the park. A foot-path on the west bank of Fanny Hooe Creek leads folks down to the large lake nestled in the hills. While boating, skiing, and fishing are welcome on the lake, as well as swimming, it’s almost always quiet and peaceful.

Lake Superior, to the north, can be found across the road by following a trail to steps leading down to the shore. Here, the water is livelier, especially when weather comes in. The rugged shoreline is sandy, yet peppered with gnarled trees, stones, and driftwood.This is a beautiful beach to watch the sun set, then hike back to camp in the dark.

So many activities and facilities to enjoy

Fort Wilkins has a lot to offer guests. Biking is encouraged, and Copper Harbor is just one mile (1.6 km) from the park’s entrance. Although with all the cute shops, you may want to drive so you can haul your goodies back.

The rugged landscape offers great hiking and mountain biking trails. Swimming is popular in both lakes. There’s a fishing pier and boat ramp on Lake Fanny Hooe. The day-use area includes a playground and picnic area. One unusual feature is a small, coin-operated laundromat. Wi-Fi is readily available for those who need to stay connected.

Fanny Hooe Creek is a pleasant distraction. The water is pretty as it babbles along the rocky creek bed. An arched bridge makes crossing easy, but the adventurous can find ways to stone-hop across, or simply splash in. It’s common to find folks cooling off here in the shady, tumbling water.

Breathtaking Trails

Miles of hiking trails thread through the park. The difficulty level for these trails is predominantly medium to easy. The best trail for views follows the shoreline of Lake Superior. Directional signs lead to the beach. Here, numerous different little footpaths thread the rocks and forest. An overlook point for viewing the Copper Harbor Lighthouse sits along the trail. From here, you can work around the large boulders along the shore. Either climb around on the rocks, or take the ridge trail, which is more of a forested path, but still offers great views of the lake and the jagged coastline.