Day 1
- Spirit Mountain Duluth/Proctor Minnesota to
Houghton Michigan ~ approx. 275 miles
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We do suggest that no one
rides individually, and that you at least have a riding
partner. Some of the areas you will be
traversing are very, very remote. There's
no cell phone service on most of the Canadian
portion of the route and
it is important that you not ride alone. |
Depart
the Country Inn & Suites in Duluth/Proctor Minnesota. The first night's stop is
Houghton MI.
Visit the Keweenaw Peninsula Convention & Visitors
Bureau
|
Insurance
You
are NOT REQUIRED to carry a special
Insurance card for your Canadian
coverage by Customs although you are
required to have coverage at the levels
required by your home state or above.
Please
DO contact your insurance carrier to
confirm that your insurance also covers
you in Canada. Almost all policies
do, especially all the major companies,
but it may be prudent to check to
confirm coverage. |
Directions: Take Hwy 2/I-35
north into Duluth then stay on Hwy 2/Hwy 53 and cross the Blatnik Bridge.
Stay on Hwy 2/53 to the Hwy 13 exit. You will pass through Port Wing,
Herbster, Cornucopia, Bayfield, Pikes Bay and Washburn before meeting up
with Hwy 2 at Ashland. A nice side trip would be at Herbster to take Bark
Point Road to the north to the tip of the peninsula. Bayfield is known for
its annual Apple Festival in October, but it also as well known as an
artist’s colony. There a quaint restaurants, antique stores and a beautiful
view of the bay.
Checkpoint
01 – about 83 miles - Fish Lipp’s Restaurant – Cornucopia, WI -
Turn right at South Shore Motel, go one block (715) 742-3378 - Cornucopia WI
is the home of Wisconsin’s northern most post office and is known
for Snowmobiling, ATV Trails, Lake Superior Fishing, Sailing, Hunting,
Kayaking, Sightseeing, Lighthouses, The Apostle Islands.
Checkpoint
02 – Holiday Station – Ashland, WI – At the intersection of Hwy. 2
& 13 (715)682-5581
Directions: Leave Ashland on
Hwy 2 to Wakefield, MI. Turn left on Hwy 28. Just out of Wakefield turn
left at Cty Rd 519 through the “Porcupine Mountains”.
(Watch carefully as the sign is
small and not long after Hwy 28, away from the lake in Wakefield)
to Hwy 117 (S. Boundary Road, which will turn into Hwy 107 “Engineers
Memorial Highway). Follow Hwy 107/Hwy 64 to Ontonagon, MI. then checkpoint
#03.
Scenic – Bessemer - Black River Nat'l Scenic Byway. 5 wonderful
waterfalls along this short stretch, all have improved trails, some have a
longer walk &/or more steps than others. End of the Road comes out at Black
River Harbor on Lk Superior. Copper Peak - Worlds Largest Ski Slide. Also on
this Black River Byway.
Silver City/Bonanza Falls - 1 mi S on 64 fr Silver City.
Silver mining area. Porcupine Mountains State Park - Lake of the Clouds.
Rockland Museum - Many Historic items & info on US 45 in Rockland. Old
Victoria Restoration and Dam - Early mining village and Victoria Falls Dam.from
US 45 in Rockland, 4 mi W on Victoria Road.
Checkpoint 03 – M64 Truck Stop – Ontonagon, MI.
1003 State Highway M64. On Hwy 64 (906) 884-2896
Directions: Take Hwy 38 to Hwy
26 north at Moss City, then follow Hwy 26 into Houghton/Hancock MI and your
last checkpoint of day 1.
Checkpoint 04 – Festival Foods – Houghton, MI Will be on your
left (906) 482-7500
Evening – Stay in Houton/Hancock, MI
Houghton/Hancock
Campground
Hancock Recreation Area - through Houghton over the
Portage Bridge to M-203, follow this to the recreation
area. Mention Wolf's Head if you'd like
to camp as a group. To reserve call
906.482.7413. Reservations prior to May
15th. 906-482-2720.
F. J. McLain State Park, eight miles
north of Hancock on M203, 906-482-0278.
Website
Houghton/Hancock Motels/Hotels
|
Best Western
Copper Crown |
800 528-1234 |
Hancock, MI |
|
The Grand View
Chalet 248 634-6036 as of Dec. 30 phone
disconnected. Anyone know if they are
still open? |
Hancock, MI |
|
Ramada Inn |
877 482-8400 |
Hancock, MI |
|
Houghton Super 8
Motel |
800 800-8000 |
Houghton, MI |
| Vacationland
Motel 800 822-3279
Another one that may have
closed or changed hands since our last check. |
Houghton, MI |
If you have other
questions about lodging, etc. call the
Keweenaw Tourism Council -- 800 338-7982
END DAY 1
DAY 2
- Houghton, MI to Wawa, Ontario ~ approx. 248
miles
Breakfast –– Kaleva Café, Hwy 41 (234 Quincy
Street) Hancock, MI. (906) 482-6001 Depart about 8:00 a.m.
Directions: Take Hwy 41 from
Houghton/Hancock to Phoenix, MI. At Phoenix take Hwy 26 to Copper Harbor, MI.
From Copper Harbor take Hwy 41 to Lac La Belle, MI and the Lac La Belle Lodge.
(watch carefully for signs)
Checkpoint 05 – Lac La Belle Lodge (11627 Superior Street), Lac La
Belle MI (888) 294-7634 or (906) 289-4293
Directions: From Lac La Belle
Lodge take GayRoad/Lac La Belle Road through Gay, MI (check out the “Gay Bar”)
then Gay Road/County Road S-652 to Valley Road/Traprock Vally Road/ Co. Rd.
S-641 to 9th street in Lake Linden, MI. Take Hwy 26 South/West to
Houghton/Hancock., then Hwy 41 to L’anse, MI and the Biship Baraga Shrine just
west of town.
Scenic – The ride to Copper Harbor
is spectacular! Be sure to check it out as it is not to be missed. You can
make up the time the rest of the day.
Suggested Must rides while Motorcycling the Keweenaw Peninsula:
- 203 will take you along the canal to the town of Calumet. Very historic
town.
- Hwy 41 Ride through breathtaking forests and treed canopies. Winding
road.
- Hwy 26 Fabulous views along Lake Superior on a winding road with tickle
belly hills. Stop at one of
the rest areas to catch a view that's hard to see while riding!
- Brockway Mtn Drive takes you on a never-ending roller coaster ride to the
top of an awesome
overlook of Lake Superior and the surrounding area!!
- This no name road that brings you around Lac La Belle Lake and along the
east side of the peninsula.
It will take you through the almost ghost town of Gay, MI. Stop at the
Gay bar and take a picture,
historical area info. and Gay Bar memorabilia inside. 20 oz Lemonades
$1. Follows signs through
Lake Linden/Hubbell back to the bridge.
Checkpoint 06 – Bishop Barage Shrine – L’Anse, MI - 17572 Old
Highway 41, L'Anse MI (906) 524-7021 or (906) 524-6485 Bishop Barage Shrine has
great Pasties and ice cream.
Directions: Follow Highway 41 to
Hwy 28. East on 28 through Ishpeming, then through Marquette, MI and on to
Munising MI.
Checkpoint 07 – Sydney’s Restaurant, Munising, MI M-28 East, on
your right (906) 387-4067
Scenic – Alberta Village Museum - 7 mi S of L'Anse
The saw mill and village that Henry Ford built
There are Waterfalls at most of the rest areas along this stretch.
The Yoopers Tourist Trap - Take a quick tour since your stopped anyway.
Evening – Stay in Munising, MI
The second night of the tour we stop at Munising, Michigan.
City of Munising Tourist Park - on
M-28 about 2 miles before (West) you get to Munising.
This camp ground is right on Lake Superior! Tent site
is 13.00 a night and group site rate is 3.00 a head.
Please mention Wolf's Head when reserving your spot.
To reserve call (906) 387-3145
3 1/2 mi east of Munising Wandering
Wheels Yogi Bear Campground, M-28 E,
PO Box 419 Munising MI 49862
906-387-3315
(Telephone only answered after April 15th) $18 no elec or $21 w/elec Reg
price of the no hookup is $27.00 Must mention Wolf's
Head in order to receive the special price.
They also have camping cabins, showers,heated
swimming
pool,laundry,games(volleyball,badminton,horseshoes,big
ball golf) small store,ect..
A picture
rock boat tour is available in Munising.
Munising Motels/Hotels
| Best Western
Motel |
906 387-4864 |
Munising, MI
(east) |
| Comfort Inn Motel |
906 387-5292 |
Munising, MI
(east) |
| Days Inn Motel |
906 387-2493 |
Munising, MI |
| Superior Motel |
906 387-1600 |
Munising, MI |
| Village-Inn
Cottage |
906 387-5800 |
Munising, MI |
| Homestead Bed
& Breakfast |
906 387-2542 |
Munising, MI |
| Scotties Motel |
906 387-2449 |
Munising, MI |
| Terrace Motel |
906 387-2735 |
Munising, MI |
| Sunset Motel |
906 387-4574 |
Munising, MI |
| Super 8 Motel |
906 387-2466 |
Munising, MI
(east) |
| Valley Spur Inn |
906 387-2945 |
Munising, MI |
END DAY 2
DAY 3
- Munising, MI to Wawa,
Ontario ~ approx. 264 miles
Weather
in Canada: http://www.weatheroffice.com
Breakfast will start at 7:00am at Sydney's
Restaurant on M-28 East in Munising. We should be
leaving by approximately 8:00am.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage
Center, Sault Ste. Marie, just off US75 -
http://www.bushplane.com
Breakfast Meeting – 7:00 a.m. Sydney’s Restaurant, Munising MI,
Departing about 8:00 a.m.
Scenic – Whitefish Point – Great
Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The admission fee of $12/person is a bit steep but
there is so very much to see here that even that should not keep you away, and
your fee goes to help a great cause. The bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald, and
countless artifacts, a lighthouse which was established by Congress in 1849
which is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake superior. From Paradise follow
Whitefish Point Road for 11 miles to the Whitefish Point Light Station.
Directions: Take Hwy 28 to Hwy 123
which will take you to Paradise, MI.
Checkpoint 08 – Paradise Mobil – Paradise, MI (906) 492-3351
Directions: After Paradise then
another 11 miles south on 123 to the Curly Lewis Memorial Highway Follow
through Brimley MI where it will turn into West 6 Mile Road, turn left (north)
on S. Mackinac Trail (Co. Rd. 63) which will take you to the I-75 Business Spur
and you will see the Holiday Station on your right.
Checkpoint 09 – Holiday Station, Sault Ste. Marie, MI (906)
632-4536, 3287 I-75 Business Spur. It looks like a log cabin and will be on
your right.
From there get on I-75 North about
1 mile to the border crossing. Cross the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge
into Ontario. When you leave Canadian Customs turn right and follow the signs
for Hwy 17 Nord/North, the Trans-Canada Highway. Watch carefully for the Hwy 17
signs in Sault Ste. Marie as some may be hard to see. Follow Hwy 17 to Montreal
River Harbour ON and Look carefully for this one. It is just past the Montreal
River Harbour sign, look for the station on your right as you crest a hill.
Scenic – Canadian Bushplane
Heritage Center -
http://www.bushplane.com
Checkpoint 10 – Northgate Service Center – Montreal River Harbour,
ON (705) 882-2159
Directions: Follow Hwy 17 to Wawa
Ontario.
Checkpoint 11 – Young’s General Store – Wawa, ON (705) 856-2626
Evening – Stay in Wawa, ON.
The third night of the tour we stop at Wawa,
Ontario.
Wawa RV Resort and Campground, phone number (705)
856-4368 to make camping reservations. Their Web site can be found at:
http://wawarv.com/
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Customs going into Canada -
If you have a criminal conviction (Felony) you should check with Canadian Customs as
to whether you can enter Canada. Even a DUI is a
felony in Canada and you could be refused entry.
Canadian Border Services
Agency
Canadian Immigration
Be
sure to check with your insurance carrier to make sure
that you are covered in Canada.
Radar detectors are
NOT legal in Ontario. The provincial police
confiscate them.
There is a
basic pamphlet at
Customs Information for Visitors
to Canada
For
information on who may not be allowed to enter Canada
please go to
Criminal inadmissibility
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Wawa Camping
We provide a barbeque on this
evening. We stay at a
private campground and it is a good chance to relax
around a bonfire and swap stories about the day's ride. Even if you choose to
stay at a hotel, please join us at the campground.
Wawa Motels
| Algoma
Motel |
Mission Rd |
705-856-7010 |
| Bristol
Motel - hot tub |
46 Mission Rd |
705-856-2385 |
| Lakewood
Motel |
Hwy 17 N |
705-856-2774 |
| Parkway
Motel |
Highway 17 S |
705-856-7020 |
| Superior
Courts Motel |
46 Pinewood |
705-856-1052 |
| Wawa
Motor Inn |
100 Mission Rd |
705-856-2278 |
END DAY 3
DAY 4
- Wawa, Ontario to Nipigon, Ontario ~ approx. 225
miles
Breakfast at Gus's Restaurant.
Perhaps the most scenic day
of the tour. Keep your camera handy!
Lake Shore Road, east of Rossport - Provides access to the lake. Nice beach.
Boswell Point is here, one of Canada’s most photographed islands. And you can walk
out to it on a sand bar!
Rossport. Quaint little town. Serendipity Garden Café & Gallery. Nice
quiet stop for a dessert.
Checkpoint 12 – Petro-Canada – Marathon, ON – (807) 229-0512. It
is on the right side of Hwy 17. This checkpoint is on the highway and not in
the town of Marathon. Stay on 17 all the way to Nipigon.
Scenic: Watch for Rainbow Falls
near Terrace Bay. Lake Shore Road east of Rossport. Access to lake and Boswell
Point, perhaps Canada’s most photographed island.
Checkpoint 13 – Gus’s Restaurant – Nipigon, ON (807) 887-2433
Evening – In Nipigon, ON – The marina area is breathtaking.
Nipigon Camping
Stillwater Tent and Trailer
Park, Highway 11/17, 807 887-3701. Up to six people,
two tents, two motorcycles per site. 10% discount for Wolf's Head
participants. 6 person maximum
per site. Shower building use is included.
Nipigon Motels
www.Nipigon.net
Beaver Motel 807 887-3132
Birchville Motel 807 887-3141
Nipigon River Motel & Cottages 807 887-2815
Normandie Hotel 807 887-2448
Northland Motel 807 887-2032
Pine Crest Motel 807 887-2813
SKANDIA HOUSE
BED & BREAKFAST 807-887-3133
NEW
LEVINA COLLINS 807-887-2708 - 17 Second
Street, Nipigon, ON
SKANDIA INN & RESTAURANT 887-1777 EGON NIELSEN Hwy
11/17 NEW
Sunnyside Cabins 807 887-3032
Town & Country Motel 807 887-2382
Vacationland Motel 807 887-1750
End Day 4
Day 5
Nipigon, Ontario to Spirit Mountain,
Duluth/Proctor, Minnesota ~ approx. 265 miles
Breakfast – Gus’s Restaurant – Nipigon, ON (807)
887-2433
Scenic:
Watch for Ouimet
Canyon, just outside of Dorian, ON and Fort William in Thunder Bay. You will
not be disappointed.
Checkpoint 14 – Harley Davidson of Thunder Bay - (807) 577-6221
or (888) 822-9464 6th traffic light turn left on Arthur Street and immediately
you should see the HD location
Checkpoint 15 – Holiday Station in Grand Marais, MN - (218)
384-9936 Hwy 61 & Broadway Ave – Can’t possibly miss it!!! And do wander Grand
Marais. A great tourist town.
Scenic:
Watch for Temperance River
Falls, near Tofte, MN.
Palisade Head, just after the junction with Hwy 1 in
Minnesota. Watch for a small sign as it is easy to miss, but you will be
rewarded with views from a 300 foot cliff or a very high hill. Climb up past
the radio tower for the most spectacular view. There are usually
several rock-climbers working the cliff and watching them can be mesmerizing.
Another great site is Split Rock
Lighthouse just down the road a bit from Palisade Head. Next you will want to
watch for Gooseberry Falls, if it has rained recently the whole thing can be a
torrent. Don't miss Bettie's Pies just to north of Two Harbors, where they
have about the best home-made pies on the planet.
Checkpoint 16 and the end of the Tour – Country Inn & Suites – Duluth/Proctor, MN – (218)
628-0668
Scenic: After check-in you may want
to visit Canal Park in Duluth. Amazing place, with lots of shops and
restaurants, a free Marine Museum hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers who have
Canal Park as their regional base.
It
is approximately 268 miles back to Spirit Mountain, Duluth/Proctor, Minnesota. A nice scenic day so don't
get wrapped up in speeding back, stop and see all
the sights along the North Shore!
You will return to the Country Inn & Suites at
Spirit Mountain, Duluth/Proctor, Minnesota, or
another hotel/motel in the area.
For a good sandwich in Thunder Bay give Rattlers
a try.
A few points of interest along the way:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/slee.html
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Park is 35k off the highway.
Grand Marais. A nice spot to stop and view the lake. Also home of the
Howlin’ Wolf Saloon.
A stop at Gooseberry
Falls State Park is always a good place to find many photo opportunities. Lots of hiking trails, and well worth the time. No permits are needed if
you are walking through the park.
Just north of Silver Bay Minnesota watch the lake
side for signs to "Palisade Head". Incredible
views from the top of a large hill/small mountain
and a 300 foot cliff to the water that is
very popular with rock climbers.
Don't miss Bettie's Pies, just north of Two
Harbors MN on your right.
http://www.bettyspies.com
End Day 5
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It takes eight states:
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York
- to surround the southern
borders of the Great Lakes, but only
one Canadian province - Ontario - to border the
north.
Lake Superior
Facts and Figures |
CURRENCY
Use a credit card if possible to get the best
current exchange rate. The worst way to exchange
your funds is to pay with U.S. money for a purchase
and get Canadian money back for your change.
There are places to exchange money at the borders
and you can get a decent rate there but we would
suggest that you go to your local bank before your
trip and get some Canadian money to take along.
SUGGESTIONS
Helmets are required in Canada and Michigan.
You should have proof of bike ownership and insurance with you. More than likely
you will not be asked for these, but depending on the kind of day the Customs
Agent is
having, it may make things go a whole lot easier. You may also want to check with
your insurance agent to be sure your policy is in force in Canada. You
must have a valid driver's license and as of 2008
you must have a valid U.S. Passport or one of the
new Passport cards.
Because of the requirement for a passport, if you
don't already have one, you should make your
applications A.S.A.P. as it takes some time to
process and receive your passport.
You will definitely want to bring a camera, lots of film, sun block and mosquito
repellent. Also a variety of clothes. The people who have gone on this tour
rode most of the time in tee-shirts (or less). But it could just as well have required
warm jackets, full leathers, or your riding suit. This is a tour for serious
riders. It is definitely a rain or shine ride, so come prepared!
Dense fog is also a very real possibility, so do
be prepared for it and use caution and good judgment. Get reservations ahead of time, as July is prime tourist time
in the region, and motels and campgrounds fill up
fast.
We also STRONGLY advise no nighttime travel,
especially on the Canadian shore, due to the large
number of moose, deer and bear. It is wilderness up
there (no cell phone service), and you could be a
long way from help. We do not condone anyone
riding alone. You do not have to ride in large
groups but please ride with one or two companions at
least.
We are sure you will enjoy this tour as much as we do
and would appreciate any
suggestions, criticisms, or feedback you may have. When you do the tour, let us know
about places you thought were great to eat at, or interesting places to stop. Pick us up a
business card if they have them. Perhaps you found an interesting side trip?
Please let us know about it. Help us share this information with others.
We look forward to meeting and riding with you.
Please keep safety in mind as you ride the Lake
Superior Circle Tour.
This is NOT a race or a
competitive event. Please take your time and enjoy the scenery and attractions
along the route.
We would appreciate your
suggestions, criticism or feedback. Please let us know about your experiences
with restraunts, motels, campgrounds, attractions, the route, or anything
special you found on your trip. If you take photos and would be willing to
share them on our Web site, (you will be given credit) please e-mail them to:
info@wolfsheadrally.com
For
lodging information around Lake Superior please see the Itinerary page.
Click map for Google Map route
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