By Brad Barnett
Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you travel to the end of US 41, you’ll find yourself in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Known for its Northwoods wildlands and stunning Lake Superior beaches, the Keweenaw is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts and leisure travelers.
But as employers embrace the benefits of working remotely, the Keweenaw is morphing into the Midwest’s ultimate outdoor office. Given flexibility to work from home (or anywhere with an internet connection), employees are packing their laptops for a workcation.
So what makes the Keweenaw an attractive destination for the new “Zoomer” workforce?
The Greatest of the Great Outdoors
The Keweenaw’s remote wilderness is home Isle Royale National Park and some of the country’s most beloved mountain-bike trails at Copper Harbor. Plus, there’s another 60 miles of single track in the area suitable for different levels. Abundant conservation and nature preserves feature flowing waterfalls and countless hiking opportunities.
But in the winter months, the Keweenaw truly shines. The area has hosted the National XC Skiing Championships several times over the past decade thanks to world-class Nordic skiing trail systems, and nearby Mount Bohemia claims the best powder east of the Rockies, with an annual average of 273 inches and 900 feet of vertical. And like summer, countless snowshoe and fat tire biking trails crisscross the peninsula.
Lake Superior Life
Nestled in the heart of Lake Superior, the Keweenaw’s abundant shorelines draw travelers seeking calm waters and quiet beaches. Come summer there’s boating, paddling, surfing, and kiting on Lake Superior and numerous inland lakes. Pack a lunch and some sunscreen and set up your mobile office a few feet from the water. You can always hit mute on your video conference if the sound of waves lapping against the shore gets too distracting.
Small Town Vibe, Big Tech Resources
The Keweenaw is made up of numerous small towns with most populations ranging from 200 to 2,500. But the metropolitan cornerstone of Houghton (pop. ~7,500) consistently ranks as one of America’s top small towns because of its access to outdoor recreation, charming downtown, nearly non-existent crime, and quality education systems. High-tech start-ups generated by Michigan Tech University grads have led to a surge of coworking and maker spaces like 101 Quincy perfect for workers needing temporary access to office space and advanced communication infrastructure.
How to Get Started
Visit www.keweenaw.info to start planning your Keweenaw work remote experience.
