Lake Manganese and Manganese Falls
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| Wayne Premo |
This beautiful, clear lake in the hills just south of town is Copper Harbor's favorite place to swim. The 52-acre lake has a long, sandy beach, a gradual dropoff, and water that's much warmer than Lake Superior, though cold enough for brook trout. There's no boat launch, but small boats can use the sand beach near the access drive from U.S. 41.
On the same road, closer to town, look for a pullover that marks the trail to the overlook for beautiful Manganese Falls. Go a little beyond where the road turns sharply right. The pullover is on the left. Head for the falls by following the sound; they're not far away. If you make your way down to the bottom of the gorge the falls has created, you'll find yourself in a ferny, moist canyon that creates its own small world, with only a patch of blue sky above.
From U.S. 41, take the road by the community building and The Pines. Go south and turn right to the lake when the main road veers left. Manganese Falls pullover is 7/10 of a mile from The Pines corner in town. The lake is beyond that; follow signs.
Return to Copper Harbor
POINTS OF INTEREST
• The Mariner North restaurant & motel has wi-fi. 245 Gratiot/US-41. Open year round.
• Brockway Inn has wi-fi in summer. 840 Gratiot/US-41. Open Tues-Sun 8-4.
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Fort Wilkins State Park and Historic Complex. This outstanding state park centers on a charming old army fort from the 1843 copper rush. Living history and period furnishings show peacetime army life in 1869 . . . ... more
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Copper Harbor shops. Some of the U.P.'s most interesting shops for crafts, gifts, minerals, and books are here in Michigan's remote, northernmost village. Jewelry, books, photography, and gifts: stoneware, agates, greenstones, rockhound supplies, bird's eye maple, fleece, and distinctive fashions. Year-round general store and Laughing Loon gifts and books. ... more
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Lake Manganese and Manganese Falls. Near town, a beautiful, clear trout lake with a long, sandy swimming beach, near a striking waterfall in a ferny canyon. ... more
Estivant Pines. 300-500-year-old white pines abound in this never-cut 500-acre sanctuary with a 2.3 mile hiking trail ... more
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