A Perfect Northwoods Day Trip: Copper Peak + Waterfalls

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There’s plenty to explore around my cabin, but once or twice a summer, I love to take a jaunt up to Iron River, Michigan, and wander the Black River area. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, breathe the forest air, and just let the day unfold.

I always start at Copper Peak Ski Hill, North America’s largest ski jump. It’s currently in restoration, with plans to fully reopen in 2028, but you can still take the Adventure Ride. First, there’s a chair lift that carries you up the slope. Then you walk to an elevator that takes you up 17 flights to the observation deck. Feeling adventurous? You can climb 10 more flights on your own. Is it worth it? Absolutely. The views are incredible — on a clear day, you can see the Porcupine Mountains, Lake Superior, and the endless forest stretching across the Upper Peninsula. Adults: $25, Students (14 and under): $10, Children under 5 free, and every penny feels worth it.

If you go, I always recommend bringing a lightweight packable jacket [Amazon Affiliate Link] — the wind can whip across the observation deck even when it’s warm at ground level.

Just a short drive from Copper Peak, Little Girls Point County Park is a serene spot along Lake Superior's shoreline. This rustic park offers a pebble-strewn beach, perfect for agate and Yooperlite hunting. The clear (but very cold) waters invite swimming, paddling, or simply floating the day away. With picnic areas, pavilions, and restrooms, it's an ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. On clear days, you can see the Porcupine Mountains to the east and the Apostle Islands to the northwest. Whether you're looking to unwind, explore, or enjoy a peaceful picnic, Little Girls Point is a hidden gem worth visiting.

If you plan on hunting for agates or Yooperlites, a UV flashlight (Amazon suggestion) is a fun, inexpensive tool that makes glowing stones pop once dusk hits. Kids especially love this.

Within 10 miles of this area is the Black River Forest Recreational Area, a hidden gem for waterfall lovers. The road leading in passes five separate Northern waterfalls, each with its own personality. I’ve hiked there multiple times, and the experience changes with the seasons and water levels. Check out a trail map, and plan your visit. My bucket list item is to tackle the full 12-mile trail that passes all the falls at once — a challenge, but one I’m looking forward to.

For hiking, I always toss a pair of collapsible trekking poles [Amazon Affiliate Link] in the car — they come in handy on a few of the steeper or root-filled sections and fold up when not needed.

One word of advice for visitors: pack a picnic. Once you leave Ironwood, there are no gas stations, restrooms, or restaurants—so it’s all about enjoying the outdoors, al fresco. A small insulated cooler backpack [Amazon Affiliate Link] keeps sandwiches and drinks cold without adding much weight.

During our fall trip, my sister and I stopped at Little Bohemia Supper Club in Manitowish Waters after a full day of hiking. This classic Northwoods supper club has a history straight out of a gangster movie — yes, there are still bullet holes in the paneling. Delicious food and a little slice of history made for the perfect ending to our day.

The Ironwood area is one of those places that reminds me why I love wandering up north. Each visit is different, each view is special, and every waterfall, forest trail, and lake vista adds a little adventure to the summer.