Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
2008 Events

Admission: Daily or Annual Motor Vehicle Permits

May 26th

Memorial Day Ceremony

Come and observe the Fort Wilkins Memorial Day Ceremony on the old Fort Wilkins parade grounds. Special programs will be put on by the Copper Harbor Elementary School student body as well as musical tributes for our nation’s armed forces. Starting time is at 10:00 am with free refreshments following the ceremony.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.

July 12th & 13th

Keweenaw Trail Running Festival

Join us in the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula for an epic weekend of trail running, delicious food and fun! Events include, on Saturday the 10km run on the tranquil Garden Brook Trail in Copper Harbor. Race starts at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and ends at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Other races outside the park are the youth 2km run over open grass and forest, and the Hill Climb from the Eagle Harbor beach to the Mt. Lookout summit.

On Sunday there will be a 25km run through the rugged backcountry forests of northern Keweenaw County.

For more information, registration forms and online registration visit the website: www.greatlakesendurance.com/

For the race starting in the park, a Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry.


July 25th, 26th, and 27th

Battery “D”

History comes alive at Fort Wilkins. Battery “D”, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, a Civil War era living history group returns to Fort Wilkins for a weekend encampment. The weekend event will be open to park visitors from 8 AM to 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Battery “D” will interpret army life of the period, demonstrating artillery and small arms drills, period cooking and soldiers’ pastimes.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.



August 2nd

CopperMan Triathlon

The "CopperMan Triathlon" starts at 9:00 AM at the Lake Fanny Hooe boating access site. Participants will swim tranquil Lake Fanny Hooe, bike the rocky shores of Lake Superior and run through the wilderness on shady roads. Visitors can observe all three stages of the event from Lake Fanny Hooe boating access site. This event is sponsored by the Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center.

For information contact the park at 906-289-4215 or Terry Smythe at 906-482-8201 or visit the website www.keweenawcopperman.org/ Participants must pre-register.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.


August 9th

Fort Wilkins by Candlelight

Abraham Lincoln is, perhaps, the most revered Chief Executive this nation has ever had. His wife, Mary, is the most maligned First Lady we have had in this great country. A visit with the Lincolns will dispel some of the myths about this Presidential couple. You will learn about their youth as well as their grown up lives as parents of four boys, two of whom preceded Abraham in death. Hear about their stormy courtship and great love for each other and for their country. Share the sadness they felt when their son, Willie, died in the White House at age eleven. Experience the frustration of Mr. Lincoln, as general after general does not get the job done in winning the war against the rebels in the South. Go shopping with Mary as she grieves over her lost son. Feel inspired by the Lincolns as they speak of honesty, integrity, patriotism and duty to one’s country. Come and hear a presentation of the by Fred and Bonnie Priebe, who are listed in the current Touring Arts Directory of the Michigan Humanities Council. They have been presenting the Lincolns in first person since 1996. Audiences of all ages, sizes, and types have heard and seen them portray the sixteenth president and First Lady. Their program is 45-50 minutes long followed by questions and answers in the first person.

History comes alive with Civil War re-enactors portraying a unit of the Veteran Reserve Corp during the day. The young Future Historians will be concluding their weeklong camp with a presentation of “Kids Games from the Past” at 1:00 PM. Visitors of all ages are asked to participate. An afternoon tea with Mrs. Lincoln will be held at 3:00 PM. Advanced ticket purchase is required. The evening Candlelight program with the Lincoln’s will start at 8:00 PM. Following the program there will be candlelight visits to several fort buildings followed by light refreshments in the restored 1844 mess hall. Come and visit a U.S. Army Fort as it was seen in 1840’s.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.


August 31st

Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival

The Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival includes 12 & 20 mile cross country mountain bike races on Sunday over trails in Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and the Copper Harbor area, a preview ride on Saturday and the Junior Fat Tire Kid's Races on Sunday. Live blues music, refreshments & good times follow the awards presentation in Grant Township Park on US-41 in Copper Harbor, so plan on spending the night!

For more information, contact Sam at (906) 289-4303 or sam@keweenawadventure.com. Or visit their web site at www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.


September 27th

Geocaching in the Keweenaw

Spend the day exploring the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula during the fall color season during a geocaching event. At the end of the day there will be a bonfire with hot dogs and snacks provided.

A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.

Daily Programs

Living History Costumed interpreters will be acting as members of the military garrison. You are invited to leave the present and join them in the year 1870. Schedule to be determined for 2008.

Lighthouse Boat Departing daily from the Copper Harbor Marina 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and evening

Tours hours, ‘Sunset Cruise’ 7 days a week (per person charge)

Wildflower Exhibit – Daily in the married enlisted men's cabin

Fort Wilkins Natural History Association Park Store Hours


May 21 - June 27 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
June 28 - September 1 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
September 2 - October 12 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM