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orbion x Copper Harbor Trails Fest
Labor Day Weekend:
September 4th-6th, 2026
Spectator Guide
Not racing? You're still part of the action.
Whether you're cheering on a friend, soaking up the festival atmosphere, or just looking for an excuse to spend the weekend in Copper Harbor, here's how to make the most of Trails Fest.
TipS + TRICKS
Viewing
Best places to watch
Not all spectating locations are created equally so here are some of our favorite places to watch.
XC Race, 10-2 PM
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Don't miss the mass start on main street. Watching the entire field charge off the line is one of the most exciting moments of the weekend. Grab a spot along Main Street near Donny Kilpela Park and cheer the riders on as they begin their race.
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More XC viewing locations will be shared once the course map is released.
DOWNHILL, 3-5 PM
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The race will be held on our biggest, baddest trail, Overflow. There are spectator spots throughout the course.
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The Gap Jump near the top is a signature spot as riders fly over the Flow trail at top speed. Access this location via Brockway Mountain Drive (do not park near the race start). Speedy berms and rock rolls can be found in the middle stretches of the trail, best accessed via the Flow trail.
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Near the bottom, Dinosaur Rock and the last big rock roll are the biggest draws and see huge crowds. Watch as riders careen over lengthy rock slabs before jettisoning off a literal cliff! Park along the road to Hunter’s Point and hike in via the spectator trails or The Flow.
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JUNIOR XC, 4-5 PM
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Our youngest racers need a boost! They’ll be zooming around the Orchard Trail at the Trails End Campground. The trails here are easy crushed gravel routes with minimal elevation change. It’s easy to pop over here during the Downhill race (above) to give some whoops to our young rippers.
10K TRAIL RUN, 8-10 AM
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Runners will begin climbing uphill on the lower part of Paul’s Plunge around 8:05 AM. Prepare to watch some epic scrambling and mud-dodging! This trail is steep, rugged, and full of chunky roots and rocks. Access this area off of Manganese Road or the Keweenaw Point Trail.
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After zooming around Kamikaze and Black Bear, runners will hoof it back along a couple miles of the Keweenaw Point Trail from 9:00 AM onwards. The trail is rocky and meandering, with plenty of scenic spots to watch with Fort Wilkins in the background.
ENDURO
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In this race, riders are only timed during the downhill portions. Uphill riding to each stage (listed below) is not timed like in the XC race. Position yourself in an exciting place and watch some of the fastest action around!
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Enduro viewing locations will be shared once the course map is released.
Note: Some viewing areas require a short hike. If you're walking to a spectator spot, stay alert for riders, remain off the race course, and always follow directions from volunteers and event staff. Gather some friends and come provide a fun atmosphere for our racers! As long as you keep it clean and don’t actually impact our racers, you’re welcome to be as goofy as you want out there. We love to see what people come up with!
Music
Best places to listen
The racing is only half the fun. Stick around after the day's events for live music, good food, drinks, and plenty of stories from the trail. Bring a camp chair, hang out with friends, and enjoy a classic Copper Harbor evening. On Saturday and Sunday catch music at Donny Kilpela Park from 7-11 p.m. Drinks served from 2-11 p.m.!
On Saturday Finding Feathers and Dead North or playing tunes. To close the festival weekend on Sunday, enjoy the Make Believe Spurs and Brookie.
Parking
Best places to park
Parking for many spectating areas can be a challenge. Prepare to walk a long distance! Or, this being an event celebrating trails in Copper Harbor, we encourage you to just ride your bike everywhere you go. It’ll save you time and space in the parking areas for people who need it.
Here are details about parking near some of the more congested areas.
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XC Race @ Paul’s Plunge: Park along Manganese Road uphill of the waterfall pull off. Hike in via the Keweenaw Point Trail or the access road that leads to the bottom of the “Plunge” portion of the trail. Be aware of racers coming down Manganese Road towards the finish line!
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Downhill @ Overflow: Park along Harbor Coast Road leading to Hunters Point, at the Trails End Campground, or near the State Harbor complex. There is no parking on M-26! Hike in via the spectator paths in the woods or on The Flow. Obey no parking signs!
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Enduro @ Bluff: The parking area at East Bluff is not nearly big enough for all of the racers and spectators who will want to park here. We need to keep access open for ambulances in case of emergency. Do not park on both sides of the road or vehicles may not be able to pass each other, causing traffic jams.
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OR, hop on your bike and ride from town! A new section of the Keweenaw Point Trail connects to East Bluff directly from town and will be open on Sunday during the Enduro. It will be closed for the XC race, however.
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All spectating points on East Bluff will require a hike to reach. You may ride your bike on the East Bluff driveway as long as you stay out of the way of oncoming racers. You may not ride your bike on trails we are using in the races themselves.
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Food
Best places to eat
Good news: you don't have to leave the park to eat well this weekend. Crews are set up right in the park, ready to feed the crowd.
Kick off Trails Fest Friday evening with farm-to-trail dinner with Soil & Soul Farm from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Menu will include Chicken Skewers with fancy dipping sauces, Armenian Losh Kebab Lamb/Beef burgers, Vegan Falafel, Greek Salad, Tabouleh and more. Tickets can be purchased here.
Throughout the weekend, set up in the park will be:
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Fletchy's Otter Belly Lodge
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Roaming Palate Food Wagon
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Capt’n Matt’s Fish Tacos
OTHER VENDORS
A few booths you'll want to swing by between races, good gear, good people, good reasons to hang around a little longer.
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Transition Bikes
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1UP USA
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KORC (Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition)
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ReWild's Child
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Northern Glow Technologies
VOLUNTEERS NEeded
Not racing but still want to be involved? Volunteer! Some of the best memories from this weekend happen behind the scenes — cheering on racers, handing out water, keeping things running smooth. If you love this event and want in on the action (without necessarily racing), we need YOU.
Why volunteer?
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Free access to live music all weekend
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Receive this year's Copper Harbor Trails Fest t-shirt plus food + beer ticket
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Be part of the crew that makes Trails Fest happen
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Good vibes, great people, front-row seat to all the action
See you out there — thank you in advance for making Trails Fest happen!
LIVE MUSIC LINE UP
Join us for live music Saturday and Sunday nights at Donny Kilpela Park, 7–11 p.m. Music wristbands are included for racers and volunteers — lucky you! Not racing? No worries — grab a wristband at the gate for just $20 and you're set for the whole weekend of tunes. Want in for free? Snag a volunteer spot here
Saturday, Sept. 4
Nashville, Tennessee serendipitously fused Seth and Desiree Brown, the core members of Finding Feathers (previously Seth Brown Duo). It’s been a whirlwind of music, love, and adventure ever since. Playing 90+ shows a year these days; festivals, concerts, and great venues. Falling in love with the northern midwest during their travels, the couple now proudly calls Upper Michigan home. Touring the Great Lakes region and beyond each year!
Dead North is a progressive bluegrass and Americana band originally from the northwoods of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, now based in Minneapolis. The duo features Luke Pascot (guitar, banjo, vocals) and Kora Melia (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), known for blending traditional bluegrass with Gratefully Dead-inspired tunes and their own original music.
Sunday, Sept. 5
The Make-Believe Spurs — based in Marquette, Michigan — have been making music together since 2022. Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, John Prine, and Nathaniel Rateliff, their sound flows from intimate harmonies to high-energy, dance-worthy performances.