Sport junkies, rejoice! This public recreation area is the Keweenaw's premier playground for all things mud-splattering, teeth-rattling, and heart-pounding.
- Location
- 47.237899, -88.460501
- Don't Forget
- Bike or hiking boots, walking stick, bug spray (and lots of it), leash for pets, headlamp or flashlight for visits after dark.
- Best Time to Go
- Anytime
Fresh Coast Tip
Don’t have your own bike but want to give the trails a try? Cross Country Sports in Calumet offers day passes to Swedetown, as well as a wide range of rental bikes and other gear. It’s so close, you can pick up your bike and ride it straight into Swedetown.
Swedetown’s 1,900 forested acres are interspersed with hand-built single-track trails for running, hiking, mountain biking, and dog walking.
Designed for a variety of skill levels, Swedetown is a friendly setting for beginner mountain bikers to find their legs, while its mix of ridge-runner and flow trails offer a welcome change of pace from the technical rigors of the Copper Harbor network.
That said, Swedetown’s rolling terrain and naturally occurring obstacles (exposed roots, loose rocks, etc.) will challenge your strength and test your agility, leaving you sweaty, muddy, and happily worn out.
The thick forest of oak, birch and tamarack pine offers cool shelter on the hot days of summer, and turns into an eye-popping canopy of color in autumn. It also provides a natural sound barrier—even on relatively crowded days, you’ll feel as though you have the woods all to yourself.
If you really crave privacy, though, show up around sunset—a few of Swedetown’s trails are lit for late-night excursions.
The main entrance features a chalet with restrooms, water fountains, a concession shop, and a community notice board with information about races and other events held frequently throughout the summer and fall.
Photo: Hans Isaacson / @outdoorpixs