Inside Copper Harbor Trails Club: What We Do & Why It Matters

At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, the Copper Harbor Trails Club (CHTC) is more than just a group of trail enthusiasts, it’s a dedicated community advocating for, developing, and maintaining a world-class trail system for human-powered adventure. Whether you’re a mountain biker, hiker, runner, or nature lover, our trails offer an unparalleled outdoor experience.

But what exactly does CHTC do, and why does it matter? Let’s dive in.

Image by: Haley Goodreau

Built for Bikers, Open to All

Our trails are expertly designed with mountain biking in mind, but they welcome a diverse array of non-motorized and class 1 E-bike users. With the exception of designated downhill trails, hikers, birdwatchers, runners, and photographers can share our singletrack system. In the winter, snowshoers and backcountry explorers take to the trails. In winter of 2025 we established a groomed winter network for xc skiers and fatbikers alike to enjoy, with more to come at East Bluff in winter 2026!

Every trail you ride, hike, or explore was imagined, mapped, built, and maintained through a combination of volunteer hours, professional craftsmanship, and community support. From the rock armoring that prevents erosion to the flowy berms that make Copper Harbor’s trails so iconic, none of it happens by accident.

Our commitment to sustainable trail design ensures that these routes coexist with the surrounding environment. The Keweenaw’s rugged terrain and fragile ecosystems demand careful planning, and we work closely with landowners, foresters, and conservation groups to make sure our trails remain a natural asset for generations to come.

Why a Trails Club Matters

Having a trails club isn’t just about crafting trails out of dirt and rock, it’s about protecting access, creating opportunity, and building community. Without an organized group like CHTC, trails wouldn’t have the advocacy, structure, or resources needed to exist long-term.

Here’s what a trails club makes possible:

Fuel the Trails You Love

Group of riders at East Bluff

Trail Stewardship: Our crew monitors over 60 miles of trail for erosion, drainage, vegetation, and safety, tasks that require both technical knowledge and year-round effort.

Funding & Advocacy: We apply for grants, partner with local businesses, and leverage donations to keep trails free and open to everyone. From federal recreation grants to local fundraising drives, CHTC ensures that Copper Harbor’s trails continue to thrive.

Sustainability & Land Access: Before shovels touch dirt, we explore all avenues to ensure a proposed trail is feasible, ethical and sustainable. Working  with numerous agencies and community members to assess and mitigate environmental impact, acquire appropriate permitting, and gain landowner approval before even thinking about breaking ground. We recognize the risk that illegitimate trails pose to the environment, the communities perception of trail users, and long term access to trails. In short, we do our due diligence to make sure we are never “those people”. 

Community & Economy: The trails bring tens of thousands of visitors to Copper Harbor each year, supporting local restaurants, motels, and shops. This outdoor economy sustains our small town and creates jobs for our fellow Yoopers while showcasing what rural recreation can look like when done right.

Education & Inclusivity: We believe everyone should have the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow outside. From youth programs to women’s clinics, we’re building a culture where the outdoors is for everyone.

In short, trails don’t build or maintain themselves, people do. And trail clubs like ours make that effort sustainable.

The People Behind the Trails

Riders at Woman's Weekend Clinic

Copper Harbor Trails Fest

Riding down the Mandan

Trail Work

Women Riders at High Rock Bay

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CHTC (officially Copper Harbor Trails Society Inc.) is committed to expanding trail access and maintaining trail conditions. We collaborate with regional, state, and national partners to position the Keweenaw as not just a regional gem, but a globally recognized trail destination.

CHTC is led by a passionate, all-volunteer Board of Directors, thirteen people who donate countless hours to guiding the organization, setting budgets, securing funding, and advancing our mission. Two full-time, year-round staff members handle day-to-day operations, communications, trail planning, and partnerships. During the summer, seasonal trail crew members take to the woods with shovels, rakes, and saws to keep our system running smoothly.

It’s a small but mighty team fueled by local pride, community support, and the belief that outdoor access makes life better for everyone.

Copper Harbor Trails Club Events & Programming

Beyond trail maintenance, we cultivate a culture of learning, celebration, and connection through events and programs.

Women’s Weekend & Big Boy Clinic

Two of our signature summer clinics where riders of all skill levels learn new techniques, gain confidence, and build community.

Learn About Women’s Weekend

Learn About Big Boy Clinic

Singletrack Flyers

Our youth mountain biking program teaches kids skills, trail etiquette, and the joy of riding.

Learn More about Kids Programs

ArtBike

A long standing, season-long fundraiser for the CHTC made possible by members of our community who donate their time to create art pieces that capture the essence of some of their favorite Copper Harbor trails. The event is the culmination of creativity, community, and charity, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the intersection of art and trail culture

Interested in ArtBike? See some prints!

Learn More about ArtBike

Ride the Keweenaw & Copper Harbor Trails Fest

These cornerstone events bring riders and families together from across the Midwest (and beyond) to celebrate adventure, camaraderie, and the wild beauty of the Keweenaw. Ride The Keweenaw on Memorial Day Weekend and Trails Fest on Labor Day, a trip up to Copper Harbor is easy!

Learn About Ride The Keweenaw

Learn About Trails Fest

Our hope is to keep offering these incredible experiences and to keep growing! We’re always looking for ways to expand our programs, include new ages and interests, and welcome even more people into the trails community here in Copper Harbor with our programs.

Why It All Matters

Copper Harbor may be home to just about 100 year-round residents, but our trails draw tens of thousands of visitors each season. Back in 2015, trail counters recorded over 20,000 riders passing through the main trailhead between May and October, and that number has only continued to grow, especially with the addition of dozens of new miles, including the East Bluff Bike Park.

This steady flow of visitors fuels our local economy, supports jobs, and keeps our small businesses thriving. But more than that, it reinforces why our work matters, to preserve, maintain, and expand a trail system that offers adventure, connection, and access to the outdoors for both locals and visitors alike.

Every rider, hiker, and explorer who comes here brings new energy to Copper Harbor. Together, they help keep this tiny town on the map as one of the Midwest’s premier adventure destinations, and remind us that these trails don’t just connect terrain. They connect people, community, and the wild heart of the Keweenaw.

Every donation, membership, or volunteer hour helps us:

• Build new trails and maintain existing ones.

• Support full-time staff and seasonal crews.

• Host community events and skill-building clinics.

• Protect access to land for public use.

• Keep the Keweenaw wild, beautiful, and accessible to all.

DONATE TO THE COPPER HARBOR TRAILS CLUB!

BECOME A MEMBER

See You on the Trails

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, know that every ride, hike, and adventure on our trails contributes to something bigger.

The Copper Harbor Trails Club exists so that people today, and tomorrow, can experience the magic of the Keweenaw’s landscape from a winding ribbon of singletrack.

We’re here to make sure those trails remain open, cared for, and loved for generations to come.

See you on the trails!