COPPER HARBOR, MI– Michigan’s Brockway Mountain Drive traces the spine of an ancient fault line as it rises 700 feet above the surface of Lake Superior, ending at the summit where epic fall color stretches in every direction.
The spot is a stunner any time of year, serving up sweeping views of the surrounding forests flanked by the blues of the largest Great Lake. Come autumn vibrant oranges, fiery reds and glowing golds take the panoramic views to the next level.
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Brockway is the highest above sea-level scenic drive between the Rockies and Alleghenies, putting it in a category all its own as far as Michigan fall color peeping goes. It’s perched so tall that you can look down from the peak and spot hawks and eagles riding air currents.
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Opened in 1934, Brockway was the first solely scenic drive in the Keweenaw Peninsula. It was pitched in the 1920s and came to fruition during the Great Depression when miners were out of work and the area saw some of its highest unemployment figures ever.
The result was a nine-mile-long seasonal road that put Copper Harbor on the map as a travel destination.
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Today, a drive up the mountain can be an all-day event as trailheads for hiking and biking can be found along the way. It’s home to several Michigan Nature Association preserves featuring plants that thrive in the unique, Alpine-like ecosystems. Birders can watch as raptors migrate past the mountain in the spring and fall. As dusk approaches, Brockway offers spectacular sunsets. Then, as night falls, it’s a destination for stargazing and catching the Northern Lights.
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Brockway closes in the late fall or early winter, depending on the weather. To find maps and guides to plan your trip, check out Visit Keweenaw’s scenic drives page.
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