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Michigan
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Michigan State Parks

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USA Parks
Michigan
Upper Peninsula Region
Fort Wilkins State Park
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Fort Wilkins State Park © Yinan Chen / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Free Public Domain Photos of Fort Wilkens Historic State Park, an old fort built on Michigans Keweenaw Peninsula after the copper rush in the 1840s. The fort iRows of houses where the married soldiers were stationed at Fort Wilkens State Park, Michigan
Fort Wilkins State Park © Yinan Chen / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Free Public Domain Photos of Fort Wilkens Historic State Park, an old fort built on Michigans Keweenaw Peninsula after the copper rush in the 1840s. The fort iA scenic lake photo fo the smaller lake besides Fort Wilkens State Park, Michigan
Fort Wilkins State Park © Yinan Chen / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Free Public Domain Photos of Fort Wilkens Historic State Park, an old fort built on Michigans Keweenaw Peninsula after the copper rush in the 1840s. The fort iThe cannon guarding Fort Wilkens, Michigan
Fort Wilkins State Park © Chris857 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
According to signage at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, these three buildings are the Officer Quarters.
Fort Wilkins State Park © Rachel VanKammen
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FORT WILKINS STATE PARK
FORT WILKINS STATE PARK
15223 U.S. 41
Copper Harbor, Michigan   49918
(lat:47.4677 lon:-87.862) map location

Phone: 906-289-4215
Reservations: 800-447-2757
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park offers camping, day-use facilities, a restored 1844 military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior. Restoration work and development began in the 1930s. Costumed interpreters demonstrate the history of the Keweenaw Peninsula fort.
History of the Area
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, in the northern Keweenaw Peninsula, offers camping and day use facilities and features a restored 1844 army military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior built in 1866. Fort Wilkins became a State Park in 1923. Extensive restoration work and development began in the 1930s under the Work Project Administration.
Passes
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Park Store
Souvenirs, snacks and beverages are available at the concessions store operated by the park's friends group.
Swimming
1. Fort Wilkins State Park offers swimming in Lake Fanny Hooe and Lake Superior.
2. The park has two sandy beaches for swimmers to enjoy.
3. Lifeguards are not provided, so swim at your own risk.
4. Swimming is permitted during daylight hours only within the designated areas marked by buoys.
5. There's a boat launch available if you prefer to swim off-boat in deeper waters of the lakes.
6. The water temperature can be quite cold even in summer due to northern location of Michigan state parks.
7. Swimming lessons or equipment rentals aren't offered here; bring all necessary gear with you.

Boating
The boat launch provides access to Lake Fanny Hooe.
Fishing
Excellent walleye and splake fishing in Lake Fanny Hooe and excellent splake fishing in Copper Harbor.


Location
Fort Wilkins State Park is
Nearby Parks

Picnicking
Fort Wilkins State Park offers picnic tables and grills, perfect for a family outing. A pavilion is also available to rent.
Trails
Running around the park, roughly parallel to the park boundary is a two-mile trail that provides great views of Lake Fanny Hoe and Lake Superior.

Fort Wilkins-Foot TrailTrail Length: 4.00 (Miles)Biking, Cross Country Ski, Hiking
Bicycling
Mountain biking is available on trails south and southwest of Lake Fanny Hooe.
Cross-country Skiing
Approximately two miles of ungroomed trails parallel the park boundary and provide great views of Lake Fanny Hooe and Lake Superior.
Area Attractions
The Estivant Pines, a stand of virgin white pines, and The Delaware Mine, an old copper mine with guided tours, are located near the park. Brockway Mountain Drive offers scenic views of Lake Superior, various inland lakes and panoramic views of the rugged Keewenaw Penninsula. Waterfalls, shipwrecks with charter dives and Copper Harbor with museums, shops and restaurants are all nearby. Day trips to Isle Royale are available with a local boat service. Sunset cruises are available on the Lighthouse Boat Tour and the Isle Royale Queen

Copper Harbor Lighthouse Boat Tours are available from Memorial Day through mid-June. For more information and current costs, contact the business at 906-289-4766 or via e-mail at infocopperharborlighthouse.com.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 30 A great park to visit.
park review stars; one to five It was manned by Free Black soldiers during the Civil War.
May 17 The best park ever!
park review stars; one to five This is my favorite and I camp every year and have since I can remember. I prefer the older section, there is more trees and fewer people. I started going here when I was a kid every year, and I started going back 10 years ago and it was as good as ever. You have the Lake Superior across the street and Lake Fanny Ho in the park. The fort is cool as well.
September 7 Excellent historical buildings by 4WDGreg
park review stars; one to five I loved touring the old buildings in Ft. Wilkins Park. They are in excellent condition and give a great glimpse into the life of a soldier from that era. There are lots of old artifacts to go along with the very well restored buildings and grounds.
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