Michigan's Quaint Peninsula Cottage Community On Lake Superior's Shore Is An Idyllic Hidden Haven Of Scenic Trails

Hidden in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a piece of paradise that's perfect for those seeking outdoor fun and rich history. You'll be greeted with idyllic scenery, trails, and historical landmarks, but first you'll need to make the long journey to the U.P.'s northernmost point, where you'll find Michigan's coastal peninsula paradise. The Keweenaw Peninsula is surrounded by the world's largest freshwater lake, and you'll find several hidden gems there — including the tiny town of Eagle Harbor. This quaint community only has around 150 residents who live there year-round, but the small-town charm is part of what makes it so unique and welcoming. 

If you're in Michigan or Wisconsin, you could turn this into a little road trip. From Marquette, Michigan, it will take you almost three hours to reach Eagle Harbor. Coming from Green Bay, Wisconsin, it's about a four-and-a-half-hour journey. If you're coming from farther away, you can book a flight into Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Calumet. Plan to rent a car once you arrive, because you'll need to drive about 30 minutes to reach Eagle Harbor. Having a car also makes it easy to explore some of the other nearby communities, such as Copper Harbor, another underrated Michigan town on Lake Superior's coast that's only about 20 minutes away. 

Hikers are in for a special treat when they visit Eagle Harbor, as a trail at the Helmut and Candis Stern Preserve leads to some of the most spectacular views of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula. The 6-mile hike is rated as a moderate to difficult trail since it's an uphill climb to the top of Mt. Baldy (also known as Lookout Mountain), but those who make the journey will be rewarded. The hiking trail is also a haven for birders, so bring the binoculars. Be on the lookout for the rare plant species found there, too. Make sure you also download the audio tour so you can learn fun facts as you make your way along the trail. If that hike doesn't wear you out, there are 10 more miles of trails at the Eagle Harbor Township Conservation and Recreation Area. 

Be sure to allow time to visit the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse — one of the iconic landmarks of the quaint community since the 1800s. The lighthouse is open for tours mid-June through mid-October, but if you're just exploring the grounds surrounding it, you're welcome to go in the off-season, too. In addition to the lighthouse museum, you can also explore the Maritime Museum, the Keweenaw History Museum, and the Commercial Fishing Museum. Other historical sites in Eagle Harbor include the Rathbone School/Knights of Pythias Museum and the Eagle Harbor Lifesaving Station Museum.

Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula is home to some of the best Midwest destinations where you can see the Northern Lights, and Eagle Harbor definitely has some special spots to witness the phenomenon. The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is fun to visit during the day, but you'll get a whole new appreciation for it at night when purple and green ribbons light up the sky behind it. Esrey Park is another spot with dark skies where you might catch this celestial light show. There's never a guarantee you'll see the Northern Lights while visiting, though your best bets are cloudless nights between August and April. If you want to sharpen up your photography skills before chasing the lights, less than 30 minutes away you'll find the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge that hosts several night sky photography workshops. It also happens to be the location of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.

If you're looking for a place to stay in Eagle Harbor that also gives you the possibility of seeing the aurora borealis, check out Fresh Coast Cabins. As a bonus, you can also have a true Finnish sauna experience there. This Google reviewer raved about their visit, saying, "Truly a magical property right on the shores of Lake Superior! Beautiful cabins, a wonderful sauna experience, attentive hosts, and a pizza and beer party on Friday night were absolutely wonderful. The highlight of our trip was seeing unbelievable Northern Lights right from the property!" Other cozy lodging options in the area include Cedar Point Cabins, Eagle Harbor Inn, and Fletchy's Otter Belly Lodge.