Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
Copper Harbor, MI
A restored 1844 army post on Lake Fanny Hooe, near the tip of the Keweenaw, with a campground and a short walk to the harbor.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park near Copper Harbor, at the northern tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, is a restored army post from 1844 on Lake Fanny Hooe. The U.S. Army built it during the copper rush, reportedly to protect copper prospectors. The Army left the fort for good in August 1870, and it became a state park in 1923. Today 19 buildings stand there, 12 of them original log structures.
In summer a living-history program shows daily life at the fort. The park is a little over 1.4 miles (2.3 km) from downtown Copper Harbor and has two campgrounds (East and West) with a total of 159 sites, some with electric hookups for RVs. The East campground was renovated in 2026 and, according to press reports, was due to reopen on July 4, 2026; ask the park for the current status before you go (as of October 2026). The fort and grounds can be seen in a day, but the park fits best into a longer Keweenaw trip, for example with a boat tour to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1866.
- Nearest town
- Copper Harbor, MI
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.4670, -87.8660
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Fort Wilkins State Park - West CampgroundMotorhome stopover0 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Fort Wilkins State Park - East CampgroundMotorhome stopover0 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State ParkMotorhomes
- Organization CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
- Lake Fanny Hooe Resort RV ParkMotorhome stopover1 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State ParkMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Trail's End CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State Park · 90 pitchesCaravansToilets
- East Bluff CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
All campsites in Michigan · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is in Copper Harbor, MI, at GPS 47.4670, -87.8660. It is about 31 mi from Calumet.
Can you camp near Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Fort Wilkins State Park - West Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Marquette to Copper Harbor on the Keweenaw.
What is there to see near Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Brockway Mountain Drive (4 mi), Quincy Mine (40 mi), Presque Isle Park (65 mi) and Grand Portage State Park (High Falls) (88 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fort Wilkins Historic State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)