Calumet Lions Park and Calumet Lake Dam
We rarely make a trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula without stopping in Calumet; we’ve spent more time there than in any other place in the Upper Peninsula. The town is steeped in history; however, most travelers use it as a jumping-off point for their adventures on Copper Island. We can’t knock that, as it’s one of Michigan’s best hiking, waterfalling, and rock hunting destinations. Still, if you’re near Calumet, it’s worth seeing what the village has to offer, including Calumet Lions Park.
Located a short walk from downtown Calumet, this park has much to offer. Likely most popular is the Calumet Lake Disc Golf Course, which has 27 holes and is a challenging play. It’s free for all to utilize, and there are shorter tees for people just starting their disc golf journey.
If disc golf isn’t your thing, Calumet Lions Park has a lot more to offer than that. The park is on the shores of Lake Calumet, which has been a staple of the village of Calumet for over a century. By the time white settlers arrived to mine copper, beavers had already dammed the Slaughterhouse Creek, but humans modernized the dam so the lake could be used for industry. At one point, a railroad bridge ran over the lake, but that’s been gone for decades.
You can reach the Calumet Lake Dam by hiking on the park’s trails, which go around the lake. Although this dam is far from mighty, it’s still a unique thing to check out if you’re in the area. The trails are well-maintained and relatively flat, running most of the way around the lake.
Back at the park, there are horseshoe pits, grills, pit toilets, picnic tables, and benches scattered around, many of which overlook the lake.
Calumet Lake is also known for its fishing, and you can easily fish from shore here. There are a lot of stumps near the water’s edge, as this area wasn’t originally a lake, so be careful when choosing what to cast out when fishing.
The sun sets over Calumet Lake, making this the perfect spot for sunset after a long day of exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula or eating and drinking at one of the many establishments in downtown Calumet.
Though most visitors to Calumet won’t visit Calume Lions Park, it’s well worth a stop if you’re in the area!
