With the Copper Empire's slow by assured collapse over the middle part of the 20th Century, many Keweenaw communities found themselves with a surplus of vacant and abandoned properties once used by the failing mine companies. Entire stretches of busy waterfronts, wharfs, railroad yards, and city centers suddenly became still and overgrown. With its lifeline now gone, the Keweenaw turned towards tourism to solve its growing ills and converted many of these old properties to beautiful parks and recreation areas. Areas once overgrown with industrial blight became shining examples of civic pride and community spirit.
To the north, the transformation had already taken place decades previously, during the long and deep Depression that had rocked the peninsula. Thanks to generous WPA projects, out of work miners found new work creating an impressive collection of roadside parks, scenic turnouts, and recreational areas. Today these parks still remain - including Esrey and Hebard parks near Copper Harbor, Copper Falls Park near Eagle Harbor, and of course the sprawling resort known today as the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.
Calumet - This large park located within Calumet's business district features a generous supply of open green space along with a sprinkling of picnic tables. Learn More...
Ahmeek - A few rustic grills and picnic tables compliment this large city park along Ahmeeks main street. Learn More...
Lac La Belle - A single picnic table and grill accompanies this sprawling white sand beach that offers superb views out over the lush hills along the Keweenaw's point. Learn More...
Houghton - This small waterfront park overlooks the Portage Lift Bridge and features a generous supply of picnic tables and grills along with a small covered shelter. Learn More...
Lac La Belle - This isolated park along the Keweenaw's eastern shore provides lake side dining with a scattering of grills and picnic tables set underneath the cooling shade of several red pines. Learn More...
Calumet - Sprawling green spaces and a scattering of picnic tables and grills compliment this large day-use park set along the south shore of Calumet Lake. Learn More...
Calumet - This popular Lake Superior park features a generous picnic area complete with several grills, fire pits, and covered shelters - all set within the idyllic setting of a birch forest. Learn More...
Eagle Harbor - Several picnic tables and complimenting grills adorn this remote and rarely used roadside park. Learn More...
Laurium - This quaint park located within the heart of Laurium's historical district provides a serene setting to compliment its small collection of picnic tables. Learn More...
Eagle River - This sprawling public beach features several picnic tables scattered along its white sands that offer some great views out across Lake Superior. Learn More...
Eagle River - Residing within the cool shade of a cedar forest, this small roadside park features several picnic tables along with a few complimenting grills. Learn More...
Houghton - Overlooking the Portage Canal and the haunting ruins of the Quincy Smelter, this newly built waterfront park features a large covered pavilion sheltering a generous supply of picnic tables. Learn More...
Eagle River - Set atop a rocky bluff overlooking this small lake is a collection of picnic tables sheltered under the soaring canopy of a red pine forest. Learn More...
Copper Harbor - A variety of picnic tables, grills, and rustic shelters are scattered across the rugged Lake Superior lakeshore found within this scenic Depression era park. Learn More...
Copper Harbor - Within the sprawling day-use area of this state park can be found a generous supply of grills and picnic tables along with a few covered shelters. Learn More...
Copper Harbor - This large municipal park conveniently located along Copper Harbor's main street features picnic tables, grills, and even a BBQ pit scattered throughout a collection of cedar trees. Learn More...
Hancock - A large collection of picnic grills and a few grills compliment this waterfront park overlooking the Portage waterway. Learn More...
Lac La Belle - Located within view of these picturesque falls are several picnic tables and grills in addition to a newly erected pavilion and BBQ pit. Learn More...
Copper Harbor - The large picnic area of this Lake Superior park sits back across the road under the canopy of a north woods forest and features several tables with complimenting grills. Learn More...
Houghton - This large public boardwalk is built atop the pilings of an old coal dock, providing abundant picnic space as well as a great view out over the canal and distant lift bridge. Learn More...
Hubbell - A few sheltered picnic tables and a large pavilion can be found within this small municipal park overlooking Torch Lake. Learn More...
Houghton - This small waterfront park features a series of fishing piers and picnic tables, along with a great view out across the canal towards the ruins of the Quincy Smelter. Learn More...
Houghton - This sprawling city park along the Portage Canal is home to a generous supply of picnic tables and grills, as well as a large covered pavilion. Learn More...
Lake Linden - Scattered about this vast public space are several picnic tables, grills, and a large covered pavilion with BBQ pit - all of which overlook adjacent Torch Lake. Learn More...
Mohawk - Enclosed within this old school yard's rock walls are a scattering of picnic tables and a generous amount of green space. Learn More...
Hancock - A small pavilion and a few picnic tables overlook the Portage Canal and lift bridge within this small waterfront park. Learn More...
Lac La Belle - This quiet and serene park features several picnic tables and complimenting grills overlooking the meandering waters of the Little Gratiot River. Learn More...
Dollar Bay - Looking out over Portage Lake, this small township park features several tables and grills set within a wooded picnic area. Learn More...
Mohawk - A pair of grills and complimenting picnic tables overlook this small lake and surrounding forest. Learn More...
Eagle Harbor - A pair of picnic tables and grills sit across the road from these falls, overlooking a picturesque sandstone bridge. Learn More...
Phoenix - Besides the famous snow gauge, this small roadside park is also home to several picnic tables and grills. Learn More...
Calumet - A few picnic tables and a lone grill stand along the shore of these small man made ponds outside of Calumet. Learn More...
Gay - This small lake side park's collection of picnic tables and grills overlook Lake Superior atop a grassy knoll shaded by a grove of birch trees. Learn More...
Gay - Complimenting this popular swimming beach are a line of picnic spots littering the adjacent sand dunes, complete with tables, grills, and a few fire rings. Learn More...
Eagle River - Scattered across a steep rugged ridge line, this small roadside park's collection of tables and grills look out over the vast expanse of Lake Superior under the shade of a red pine forest. Learn More...
Jacobsville - Scattered along the sprawling concrete pier that lines this secluded park's southern boundary are a series of grills and sheltered picnic tables that look out across the Portage Canal's lower entry. Learn More...