Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

New Moon – February 2026
2026-02-17

Copper Dog 150
2026-02-27 - 2026-03-01
The Copper Dog 150 dog sled race starts in Calumet and works up to Copper Harbor and back to Calumet.
Official website: https://copperdog150.com

2026 Dawg Daze
2026-03-01 11:00 - 14:30 (America/Detroit)
[ Cancelled: We will not be holding Dawg Daze in 2026 ]
Dawg Daze at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is a fun event that celebrates the winter, trails and dogs. The main activity is a time trial skijoring race — the “Forest Dog Derby”. As well, to cool down, participants will participate in a fun dog-human costume contest while enjoying treats from the Little Cabin Cafe.
This is a free activity for lodging guests and the general public; however, advanced reservations are required. [ Contact: outdoor-activities@keweenawresort.com | 906-289-4403 ext 4 ]
Forest Dog Derby: 11am – 1pm
Human/Dog Costume Contest: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Awards Ceremonies: 2:00pm
Where: The event will be held outside on the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge grounds.
“Forest Dog Derby” : Is a time trial style event. Dogs must be leashed or tethered at all times. Teams consist of one person and one dog. Teams start at the starting line and must complete one loop around part of Outer Loop & Inner Loop . Fastest time wins.
“Costume Contest” : Is a costume contest for dogs and humans. Costumes will be judged on a scale from 1 to 10 on “originality”, “cuteness”, and “human costume.” Bonus points for matching dog and owner costumes.
Lodging guests that participate in Dawg Daze will have their pet fee waived for their entire stay, if their stay includes Saturday, March 1, 2026. Pets must still be registered with guest services.
All events are free to enter. A donation box for pet related items (used linens, blankets, sheet, pillowcases, towels, dog/cat treats and toys.) and a donation jar for monetary donations will be set up for the Copper Country Humane Society.
KML Dog Treats are also available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the Copper Country Humane Society.

Overall Rules:

Dogs must be leashed at all times while on the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge grounds.
No aggressive dogs.
Dog waste must be picked up immediately except during race.

Forest Dog Derby Race Rules:

Only 1 dog and 1 person per team.
Dog must be leashed or tethered at all times.
A specific team only gets one chance around the course.
You can start anytime between 11am and 1pm. There will be no starts after 1pm.

Prizes: Prizes will be dog and human treats from the Little Cabin Cafe.
Race Course:

Practice: You are able to practice on the course on March 1st, before 10:30am. The course closes for practice at 10:30am on race day to do a final grooming of the snow.

Full Moon (Worm) – March 2026
2026-03-03

Great Bear Chase
2026-03-07
The Great Bear Chase takes place in Calumet, on the Swedetown trails. It is a cross country ski race that was started in 1980. The resort is open, and we have cabins open for visitors to rent during the race.
http://www.greatbearchase.com

Lights Out!
2026-03-14 - 2026-03-22, 2026-04-13 - 2026-04-23, 2026-05-15 - 2026-05-21, 2026-06-12 - 2026-06-21, 2026-07-10 - 2026-07-22

New Moon – March 2026
2026-03-18

Northern Lights Photography Workshop
2026-03-20 19:30 - 22:00
[ Read: March 20, 2026: Northern Lights Photography Workshop Recap ]
About the Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to educate people on how to capture the beauty of the northern lights and the night sky on camera. Topics being covered include equipment needed, camera settings, and the best locations for viewing. These workshops will start out with a PowerPoint presentation (in the conference room), and then we will go outside for hands-on experience — taking pictures of the night time sky (hopefully northern lights) around the Lodge property (weather depending). With the information garnered from the workshop, it will make stargazing more enjoyable.
Please bring your camera, a tripod, a red flashlight, warm clothing, and a great attitude.
Price
Free for Lodge guests, $75 for non-Lodge guests.
Reservations are required. Space is limited, so you will want to register early to reserve your spot. To reserve your spot, please call (906-289-4403 ext 4) or email outdoor-activities@keweenawresort.com.
Location
Meet in the Class Room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge at 7:15pm, and the session will last about 2 hours.
About the Instructor: Nate Bett
Nathan Bett is a photographer and educator in Hancock Michigan. Although originally from Marquette, Michigan, Nathan recently relocated to Hancock from New York City, where he taught at the City University Of New York, and represented a major camera manufacturer as a technical specialist in photography. He now spends his time indulging in the over abundance of natural beauty in his native UP and spending excesses of time outdoors with his family. Nathan maintains a passion for photography and the outdoors that he delights in sharing with students. His work can be viewed at nathanbett.com and @natebett and @artmonstermedia on Instagram.

Full Moon (Pink) – April 2026
2026-04-01

Lodge Closed – Staff Holiday
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-14
The Lodge is closed for a staff holiday / break. Only employees are allowed on property during this time period.

International Dark Sky Week
2026-04-13 - 2026-04-20
International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide celebration of the dark and natural night. The goal is to draw attention to light pollution, promote simple solutions to mitigate the issue, and celebrate the irreplaceable beauty of a natural night.
Look up into the night sky. How many stars can you see? Light
pollution continues to grow at an alarming rate, doubling every
eight years, taking away our view of the stars while harming human
health and critical wildlife habitat. Did you know, smart and simple
lighting practices around your own home and community can make
a difference?
For many, the dark night is often misunderstood, unfamiliar, and frightening. But the night is filled with wonder and awe and is critical to the health and well-being of our planet.
Join DarkSky International as people around the world discover the night together and learn about the effects of light pollution and actions we can take to embrace the dark and save the night. [ Learn more ]

International Dark Sky Week was started by high school student Jennifer Barlow in 2003 and is now spearheaded by DarkSky International. In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. I want to help preserve its wonder.”
About Light Pollution
Did you know that light can be a pollutant? Overly bright and unnecessary outdoor lighting creates glare and skyglow, destroying critical nocturnal wildlife habitats, harming human health, and diminishing our view of the stars.
As lighting options become more inexpensive and brighter, we are illuminating the night more and more. Every eight years, light pollution around the world doubles! Today, 80% of the world’s population lives beneath light-polluted skies. 8 out of 10 children will grow up never seeing the Milky Way.
While lighting at night is necessary in today’s world, there are easy steps you can take to ensure your lights protect the night! Check out DarkSky’s Five Principles for Outdoor Lighting! [ Learn more ]
Wildlife at Night
Did you know plants and animals depend on natural light cycles to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators? Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has deadly effects on many creatures, contributing to declining biodiversity worldwide.
Artificial lights can cause migrating birds to wander off course toward dangerous cityscapes. Millions of birds die every year when they collide with needlessly illuminated buildings and towers.
Hatchling sea turtles find the sea by detecting the bright horizon over the ocean. Artificial lights draw them away from the ocean. In Florida alone, millions of hatchlings die this way every year.
We are just starting to understand the devastating effects
of artificial light on habitats. [ Learn more ]
Human Health and Well-being
Did you know our health is dependent on the dark? Over the past 100 years, humans have transformed the night, erasing the natural= darkness with which we evolved. While artificial light at night is crucial to our modern world, it comes at a cost.
Increasing scientific research indicates that artificial light at night harms human health, including circadian rhythm disruption and decreased melatonin production, leading to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, mood disorders, reproductive problems, and cancers. [ Learn more ]
Safety and Security
Lighting up the nighttime environment does not necessarily increase safety and security. Effective lighting that helps people be safe — not just feel safe — is a win-win situation for everyone.
Poorly designed outdoor lighting can backfire on safety. Bright and misdirected lights create shadows for criminals to hide, and some crimes, like vandalism, thrive in well-lit areas. Floodlights, for example, may highlight potential targets. [ Learn more ]

Learn more about what you can do to help to foster the
night at darksky.org.

Source: DarkSky International

Lodge Closed to General Public for Private Event
2026-04-16 - 2026-04-18
We are hosting the 2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival on April 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2026. During these three days, the Lodge will be closed to the general public.

2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival
2026-04-16 15:00 - 2026-04-18 23:30 | KML Lodge, 14252 US Hwy 41, Copper Harbor, MI, 49918, United States
[ Read: 2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival Recap ]
[ Purchase Tickets ]
Limit: 50 tickets
Last day to purchase tickets: April 12th
— Tickets are no longer available to be purchased —

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, the headquarters for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, is hosting its fourth annual event around International Dark Sky Week: The Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival. DarkSky International (formerly known as, the International Dark-Sky Association) encourages people worldwide to discover the night during International Dark Sky Week. This annual week-long event aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution, the solutions that exist and simultaneously celebrate the night.
The 2026 event will be held over April 16th, 17th, and 18th, and provides three days / nights of learning. Events and workshops will be hosted at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, headquarters for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.
The event is intended for all ages of dark sky enthusiasts. The evening event on Thursday allows guests to check into their accommodations, have a meal and then take in the presentation. Friday and Saturday’s events in the afternoon allow guests to have a morning adventure and an afternoon and evening of learning.

Schedule
Below is the schedule for the festival (last updated March 25, 2026, schedule is subject change):
Thursday, April 16th

5:00pm: Dinner (on your own, see food options)
6:00pm: Welcome / Opening Remarks (John Mueller, KML Team – Keweenaw Dark Sky Park & Amber Harrison, DarkSky International – Virtually)
8:00pm: Dark Sky Photography Workshop (Nate Bett)
Evening: Stargazing

Friday, April 17th

10:00am: Dark Sky Watercolor Workshop, with Lindsey Naylor (limited to 20 people — call 906-289-4403 ext 4 to sign up)
12:00pm: Rustic and Worldly Lunch (included in your festival ticket purchase)
1:00pm: Postcards from the Universe: 2025-2026 via NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (Robert Nemiroff)
3:30pm: Stonehenge: History and Mystery (Dave Falkner)
6:00pm: Dinner (on your own, see food options)
8:00pm: Finding Home among the Stars (Travis Novitsky)
Evening: Stargazing

Saturday, April 18th

9:00am: Open Skies Tour (limited to 24 people – call 906-289-4403 ext 4 to sign up) [ sponsored by Visit Keweenaw ] — bus leaves the Lodge at 8:30am
12:00pm: Rustic and Worldly Lunch (included in your festival ticket purchase)
1:00pm: Geomagnetic Storm Effects (“Astro” Bob King)
3:00pm: In Pursuit of the Northern Lights: Painted Nights in the Darkest Parts of the World (Melissa Kalein)
4:30pm: Leveraging Economic Incentives for Darker Skies (Jamie Westfall)
6:00pm: Dinner (on your own, see food options)
8:00pm: Deep Sky Astrophotography under Dark Skies (Ogetay Kayali)
Evening: Stargazing

Location
The festival will be held at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, the headquarters of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
14252 US Hwy 41
Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918

Price
Tickets for the festival are $250 / person + tax. Tickets include admission to all presentations and the lunch on Friday and Saturday. A maximum of 50 tickets will be sold. The last day to purchase tickets is April 12, 2026.
[ Purchase Tickets ]

— Tickets are no longer available to be purchased —

Presentation Topics and Speaker Bios
Below is the list of speakers, with their bios and presentation topics. The list is sorted by last name of the speaker.
Nate Bett
Photographer and Educator
Presentation Topic: Dark Sky Photography Workshop
Join photographer Nate Bett for a comprehensive and informative session on night sky photography. Attendees will learn all the basics of night sky photography as well as instruction on image editing and processing using Adobe Lightroom Classic, and Photoshop as well as stacking software such as Starry landscape stacker. Learn more about the best gear to use and how to use it to get the night sky shot’s that you’ve always wanted.
About Nate
Nathan Bett is a photographer and educator in Hancock Michigan. Although originally from Marquette, Michigan, “Nate” relocated several years ago to Hancock from New York City, where he taught at the City University Of New York, and represented a major camera manufacturer as a technical specialist in photography. He now spends his time indulging in the over abundance of natural beauty in his native UP and spending excesses of time outdoors with his family. Nathan maintains a passion for photography and the outdoors that he delights in sharing with students. His work can be viewed at nathanbett.com and @natebett and @artmonstermedia on Instagram.
—–
Dave Falkner
NASA Solar System Ambassador
Presentation Topic: Stonehenge: History and Mystery
Stonehenge is a massive, prehistoric stone monument in southern England, constructed by a civilization with no written communication and only primitive tools. Through over a century of archaeological study, scientists have developed theories on how these ancient people transported and erected the mammoth stones, as well as how the site was used. Dave will walk you through the journey of discovery regarding the monument’s construction and uncover some of the enduring mysteries of Stonehenge.
About Dave
Dave has been a lifelong amateur astronomer, a passion that began as a pre-teen at the Holcomb Planetarium in Indianapolis. After retiring from the US Navy, Dave settled in Minnesota and became an active member of the Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS), serving as President (2011–2014, 2019–2020) and Secretary (2023–2024). As a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, he frequently conducts astronomical outreach at libraries, nature centers, and schools. Dave has also taught introductory astronomy at a local community college and is the author of three books: The Stories of Astronomers and Their Stars and two editions of Mythology of the Night Sky.
—–
Amber Harrison
Dark Sky Places Program Manager at DarkSky International
Presentation Topic: Opening Remarks and Status of Dark Sky Places Program
Amber will join us virtually to discuss the status of the DarkSky International’s places program.
About Amber
Amber is responsible for the Dark Sky Places Program at DarkSky International. Prior to joining DarkSky International, she was a park ranger and interpreter at Big Bend Ranch State Park — the largest, most remote, and darkest park in Texas. She completed successful applications to the International Dark Sky Places program for public lands in the Big Bend of West Texas and is active in dark sky advocacy throughout the region. Her focus on dark sky conservation developed during her time as a Ranger, where she incorporated dark sky education in her programming and community engagement to raise awareness about the importance of natural dark skies on the natural world and the human experience.
Amber grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where she spent most of her time riding and caring for horses. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Anthropology with a focus on bioarchaeology at Wichita State University.
—–
Andrew Johnson
…
Presentation Topic: Stargazing Adventure
Join Andrew Johnson during the evenings to stargaze and learn more about the night sky and telescopes
About Andrew
Andrew Johnson is currently attending Central Michigan University (class of 2025). He is pursuing a Meteorology major with a minor in GIS (Geospatial Information System Mapping). His dream is to be a forecaster for the National Weather Service, or do a study in Space Weather. Currently he is the Headlands International Dark Sky Park Staff Astronomer.
—–
Melissa Kaelin
Author and Founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers
Presentation Topic: In Pursuit of the Northern Lights: Painted Nights in the Darkest Parts of the World
Melissa will take you on a journey around the world, after catching Northern Lights in Alaska, Iceland, Canada’s Northwest Territories, Finland, and Norway — while chasing the Aurora at sea aboard a Hurtigruten ship. After three separate excursions to the Arctic Circle, she will illustrate what it’s like to chase painted skies in the northernmost corners of the world, while sharing dark sky advice and useful tips that can help you view the Aurora in any location.
About Melissa
Melissa F. Kaelin devotes her time as an aurora guide, a community leader and an author. Through guided chases, online tutorials, public talks and her book, she has led thousands of people to experience the Northern Lights for the first time. Author of “Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora”, she loves sharing tools and techniques to help you catch the aurora in your backyard. She founded the Michigan Aurora Chasers, co-founded the Aurora Summit, and co-hosted the inaugural GLAD Jam in Houghton, MI. She has volunteered for the SolarMax Mission to study aurora from space, she was a NASA Social Media Ambassador, and she leads international tours for the University of Michigan Alumni Association, among many other pursuits.
—–
Ogetay Kayali
Deep Space Photographer and Michigan Technological University Graduate Student
Presentation Topic: Deep Sky Astrophotography under Dark Skies
Ogetay will talk about how remote sites under dark skies allow astrophotography to grow at an accelerating speed and show how he takes his award-winning photos. His presentation will include a beginner-friendly introduction to deep sky astrophotography with only telescopes and cameras, as well as advanced techniques.
About Ogetay
Ogetay is a PhD Candidate in Astrophysics at Michigan Tech and works for NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. He has been doing public outreach and science communication for over 10 years, founded a popular science platform with nearly 10 volunteers that became a top-visited science platform in Turkey, and has written over 300 popular science articles and 70+ video scripts for a YouTube channel that reached over 50M views. His astrophotography has received recognition with awards by Astrobin (top astrophotography platform) — with 1 image of the day, 6 Top Picks, and 8 Top Pick Nominations. In addition, has had one of his photos on the cover of ScopeTrader magazine’s, the November 2024 issue.
—–
“Astro” Bob King
Author and Educator
Presentation Topic: Geomagnetic Storm Effects
Everything from the experience of awe to power outages and falling satellites, we look at how solar storms have touched the lives of people and wildlife throughout history.
About AstroBob
Bob King fell in love with the night sky and astronomy when he was a kid and loves to share his passion with people of all ages through teaching and public observing. He’s a long-time member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), a community educator and writes for Sky & Telescope’s magazine and website. Bob also pens the long-time blog Astro Bob he started in 2008 and shares news of current sky events on WTIP-FM (Grand Marais) and The North 103.3 FM (Duluth).
—–
John Mueller
KML Team – Keweenaw Dark Sky Park
Presentation Topic: Welcome Remarks and the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park
John will provide opening remarks and welcome, talk about the progress of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park and have a Q&A session regarding the DarkSky International’s places program.
About John
John is the chief lead at the Lodge, and is heavily involved with the staff as it relates to operations and strategy of the resort. He led the application process for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, and is closely involved with and knowledgeable of the dark sky park.
Previously, John was a professor at St. Edwards University, focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship (entrepreneurial finance). Before his time at St. Edward’s, he was a faculty member at Fresno State and Western Michigan University. He finished his PhD in Entrepreneurship at the University of Louisville. He is a native of Austin, Texas, and has lived in many cool places around the world.
John has started several companies, and worked as an employee in others. He is the founder of Keweenaw Resort, LLC, which owns the Lodge.
—–
Lindsey Naylor
Artist and Graphic Designer
Presentation Topic: A Dark Sky Watercolor Workshop
Lindsey will guide attendees through the process of creating their own galaxy watercolor painting. She will demonstrate basic watercolor technique, and then show how to create likenesses of the milky way and northern lights. You will have the opportunity to practice before creating your painting, with plenty of supplies to create another one if you wish. All materials are provided and no watercolor experience necessary.
About Lindsey
Lindsey, aka Home Squirrel, is an independent artist based in Marquette, Michigan. She applies her hand-drawn style to a variety of media, including murals, merch, packaging, branding, and patterns.
She has been making art since childhood, and doing professional graphic design since 2011. She enjoys the tactile experience of creating, and marries the handmade techniques with the latest design technology. From custom lettering to hand-drawn illustration, the work she makes has a human, imperfect, and unique quality. This humanness can spark a connection to the viewer. Through using the latest design technology in tandem with handmade techniques, she creates effective and beautiful works that resonate with the intended audience.
When she is not designing or drawing, you can find her hiking in the woods with her dog Moose, getting lost in a fantasy book, or telling her houseplants they are strong and beautiful.
Note: She is the artist that created the Lodge’s WPA-era four-season posters.
—–
Robert Nemiroff
Co-creator of Astronomy Picture of the Day, Astrophysicist and Professor of Physics at Michigan Technological University
Presentation Topic: Postcards from the Universe: 2025-2026 via NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day
Some of the coolest images and videos from the popular NASA science website Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD: apod.nasa.gov) that appeared during 2025 and 2026 will be presented. The science and stories behind these images will be discussed. The images not only include the best of the Hubble and Webb space telescope, but also images taken from dark skies around the world. Topics include nebulae, aurorae, galaxies, the distant universe, the nearby Solar System, and more.
About Robert
Robert J. Nemiroff is a Professor of Physics at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. He holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Dr. Nemiroff is perhaps best known as a creator, writer, and editor for one of NASA’s most popular science websites: the Astronomy Picture of the Day. Dr. Nemiroff’s new book, “Faster than Light, How Your Shadow Can Do It but You Can’t”, is available from Amazon.
—–
Travis Novitsky
Artist and Photographer
Presentation Topic: Finding Home among the Stars
Travis will share with us his journey as a nature photographer, which began almost 45 years ago on the Lake Superior shores within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation in northeast Minnesota. His parents introduced him to night sky experiences at a very young age, and that early exposure led to a lifelong love of the cosmos. That passion eventually led to his participation in an award-winning dark sky documentary project and a book about the night sky featuring his photography. His presentation weaves together Indigenous knowledge and cultural connections to the cosmos along with his night sky photography captured over his ancestral homelands.
About Travis
Travis is a proud member and lifelong resident of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation in northeast Minnesota, He has been photographing the woods and waters of the north shore of Lake Superior for more than 35 years. He is a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer whose work focuses primarily on his ancestral homelands in Minnesota.
Travis specializes in images of nature and wildlife, but his favorite subject by far is the night sky. He devotes countless hours to capturing images of star-filled skies and the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
He served as Co-Producer and Narrator of Northern Nights, Starry Skies, with his creative work featured extensively in the film. He is also the photographer for the book Spirits Dancing – The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Connections to the Cosmos (text written by Annette S. Lee).
—–
Jamie Westfall
Park Manager of The Headlands Dark Sky Park
Presentation Topic: Leveraging Economic Incentives for Darker Skies
Jamie will talk about strategies that dark sky enthusiasts in areas with little light pollution can use to collaborate with business leaders, which encourages them to employ more environmentally considerate lighting solutions for their operations.
About Jamie
Jamie is the Park Manager for Headlands International Dark Sky Park, as well as two other Emmet County Parks in Mackinaw City, Michigan. She is a Dark Sky Advocate with Dark Sky International, and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. She is a self-proclaimed “parks dork,” and recreation enthusiast.
Jamie’s favorite thing about working at the Headlands has been teaming up with astronomers, learning about dark sky conservation, and actively participating in the dark sky protection movement within the parks and recreation industry.

Rustic and Worldly Lunches
Each ticket to the festival includes two rustic worldly lunches; one on Friday and one on Saturday. When purchasing your ticket please state if you prefer the lunch with meat or the vegetarian option. Please note that there are no substitutions, and the menu is subject to change as we get closer to the event based upon access to ingredients.
Friday Lunch Menu (served at 12pm)

Chicken fajitas with veggies and creamy chipotle sauce. Served with sautéed corn and onion and a side of Spanish rice and a cookie. (Mexican-influence)
– or –
Roasted eggplant dressed in lemon and olive oil with sautéed vegetables on a wrap. Served with garlic-lemon-cilantro potato and a cookie. (Lebanese-influence)
Saturday Lunch Menu (served at 12pm)
Beef Kafta Wrap with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion and Hummus spread. Served with a side salad and a cookie. (Lebanese-influence)
– or –
Asian Buddha Bowl (Rice, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, tofu) with peanut butter dressing. Served with vegetarian samosa and a cookie. (Indian-influence)
Rustic Worldly Lunch during the 2024 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival

Lodging
The dark sky park is in a remote area, so it is important for you to plan where you are going to stay before traveling. The following options are available for lodging in the area:

Aqua Cabins at Mt. Bohemia (Lac La Belle)
Brockway Inn (Copper Harbor)
Da Beach Cabin (Lac La Belle)
Dapple-Gray Bed & Breakfast (Copper Harbor)
Eagle Harbor Inn (Eagle Harbor)
Fitzgerald’s (Eagle River)
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (host)
Mariner North (Copper Harbor)
Trails End Campground (Copper Harbor)

[ to see more Lodging options, go to Visit Keweenaw ]

Food
The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge / Keweenaw Dark Sky Park is in a remote area, so it is important for you to plan where you are going to eat before traveling. The following options are available for food in the area:

Eagle Harbor Inn (Eagle Harbor)
Fitzgerald’s (Eagle River)
Glacia Tavern (Mohawk)
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (host) – see the Lodge’s dinner options during the festival (which you reserve in advance, pay for separate from the tickets)
Mariner North (Copper Harbor)

[ Purchase Tickets ]
Limit: 50 tickets | $250 per ticket + tax
— Tickets are no longer available to be purchased —

[ 2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival Presentations ]
the page is for attendees & is password protected
Press Releases

Full Speaker Lineup and Schedule announced for the Fourth Annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival (March 11, 2026)
The Fourth-annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival, hosted at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (January 30, 2026)

Past Instances of the Event

2025 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival (April 24-26, 2025)
2024 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival (April 11-13, 2024)
2023 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival (April 21-22, 2023)

New Moon – April 2026
2026-04-17

Earth Day
2026-04-22
2026 Earth Day is April 22nd, which has a theme this year of “Our Power, Our Planet”.
Here is an action toolkit to work with on improving our environment: Earth Day Action Toolkit
#InvestInOurPlanet

Full Moon (Flower) – May 2026
2026-05-01

Northern Lights Photography Workshop
2026-05-15 21:00 - 23:00
[ Read: May 15, 2026: Northern Lights Photography Workshop Recap ]
About the Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to educate people on how to capture the beauty of the northern lights and the night sky on camera. Topics being covered include equipment needed, camera settings, and the best locations for viewing. These workshops will start out with a PowerPoint presentation (in the conference room), and then we will go outside for hands-on experience — taking pictures of the night time sky (hopefully northern lights) around the Lodge property (weather depending). With the information garnered from the workshop, it will make stargazing more enjoyable.
Please bring your camera, a tripod, a red flashlight, warm clothing, and a great attitude.
Price
Free for Lodge guests, $75 for non-Lodge guests.
Reservations are required. Space is limited, so you will want to register early to reserve your spot. To reserve your spot, please call (906-289-4403 ext 4) or email outdoor-activities@keweenawresort.com.
Location
Meet in the Class Room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge at 8:45pm, and the session will last about 2 hours.
About the Instructor: Nate Bett
Nathan Bett is a photographer and educator in Hancock Michigan. Although originally from Marquette, Michigan, Nathan recently relocated to Hancock from New York City, where he taught at the City University Of New York, and represented a major camera manufacturer as a technical specialist in photography. He now spends his time indulging in the over abundance of natural beauty in his native UP and spending excesses of time outdoors with his family. Nathan maintains a passion for photography and the outdoors that he delights in sharing with students. His work can be viewed at nathanbett.com and @natebett and @artmonstermedia on Instagram.

New Moon – May 2026
2026-05-16

Back 9 Endurance Race
2026-05-23 08:00 - 2026-05-24 08:00
Limit: 40 people
Last day to register: May 22nd

The first of its kind in the area, the Back 9 Endurance Run is a 12/24 Hour endurance run that takes place on a 3.68 mile loop at the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, MI. Runners will wind their way through a mix of the wooded trails (including the Back 9 Trails) and paths across the Lodge’s historic, wilderness golf course. Views of Brockway Mountain and Lake Superior are seen periodically around the race course. Don’t forget your headlights because the run takes place inside the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, the only dark sky park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Register in teams of 2 or 4…. or take on the challenge as a solo individual. The goal? Complete as many loops as you want or can in the given amount of time, with only one team member (or your crazy, solo self) running at a time.
Learn more about the event at Back9EnduranceRun.com

Full Moon (Blue) – May 2026
2026-05-31

Golf Course Opens for 2026 Season
2026-06-01
The golf course opens June 1st for the 2026 season. The golf course is only for cabin guests.

Night Sky Photography Workshop
2026-06-13 21:00 - 23:00
[ Read: June 13, 2026: Night Sky Photography Workshop Recap ]
About the Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to educate people on how to capture the beauty of the northern lights and the night sky on camera. Topics being covered include equipment needed, camera settings, and the best locations for viewing. These workshops will start out with a PowerPoint presentation (in the conference room), and then we will go outside for hands-on experience — taking pictures of the night time sky (hopefully northern lights) around the Lodge property (weather depending). With the information garnered from the workshop, it will make stargazing more enjoyable.
Please bring your camera, a tripod, a red flashlight, warm clothing, and a great attitude.
Price
Free for Lodge guests, $75 for non-Lodge guests.
Reservations are required. Space is limited, so you will want to register early to reserve your spot. To reserve your spot, please call (906-289-4403 ext 4) or email outdoor-activities@keweenawresort.com.
Location
Meet in the Class Room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge at 8:45pm, and the session will last about 2 hours.
About the Instructor: Nate Bett
Nathan Bett is a photographer and educator in Hancock Michigan. Although originally from Marquette, Michigan, Nathan recently relocated to Hancock from New York City, where he taught at the City University Of New York, and represented a major camera manufacturer as a technical specialist in photography. He now spends his time indulging in the over abundance of natural beauty in his native UP and spending excesses of time outdoors with his family. Nathan maintains a passion for photography and the outdoors that he delights in sharing with students. His work can be viewed at nathanbett.com and @natebett and @artmonstermedia on Instagram.

New Moon – June 2026
2026-06-14

Front 9 Endurance Golf
2026-06-21 06:00 - 22:00 | KML Golf Course, 14252 US Hwy 41, Copper Harbor, MI, 49918, United States
Front 9 Endurance Golf
Join us for the Longest Day of Golf in the Keweenaw!
Limit: 24 tickets
Last day to purchase tickets: June 19th

The Front 9 Endurance Golf is a one day event held on the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge golf course. It is connected to the celestial event of the summer solstice, which marks the official start of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year. This event also celebrates the anniversary of when the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge was designated an International Dark Sky Park.

Rules/Guidelines:

The golf course is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.
Maximum of 24 golfers allowed.
Golfers must make their first tee time. Tee times are 20 minutes apart. The KML team has the right to group golfers together.
Golfers can play unlimited rounds.
Golfers must walk the course.
Golfers are allowed to take breaks then continue play.
Only complete 9 hole rounds of golf will count.
Only participants of the event are allowed to play golf that day.
There are three categories – hickory golf, modern golf, and fling golf
Recognition for the golfer who plays the most rounds – medal.

Rules during play:

USGA rules apply
Players can tee off from any tee box
All Holes must be putted out – no gimmes
Players are allowed to pick-clean-and-place, within one scorecard length
Let faster players play through

Price
Tickets for the festival are $65 / person + tax. A maximum of 24 tickets will be sold. The last day to purchase tickets is June 19, 2026. No refunds.

[ Purchase Tickets ]
To request to purchase a ticket, send us an email to John Mueller.

Full Moon (Strawberry) – June 2026
2026-06-29

Night Sky Photography Workshop – Milky Way
2026-07-11 21:00 - 23:00
[ Read: July 11, 2026: Night Sky Photography Workshop Recap ]
About the Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to educate people on how to capture the beauty of the northern lights and the night sky on camera. Topics being covered include equipment needed, camera settings, and the best locations for viewing. These workshops will start out with a PowerPoint presentation (in the conference room), and then we will go outside for hands-on experience — taking pictures of the night time sky (hopefully northern lights) around the Lodge property (weather depending). With the information garnered from the workshop, it will make stargazing more enjoyable.
Please bring your camera, a tripod, a red flashlight, warm clothing, and a great attitude.
Price
Free for Lodge guests, $75 for non-Lodge guests.
Reservations are required. Space is limited, so you will want to register early to reserve your spot. To reserve your spot, please call (906-289-4403 ext 4) or email outdoor-activities@keweenawresort.com.
Location
Meet in the Class Room at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge at 8:45pm, and the session will last about 2 hours.
About the Instructor: Nate Bett
Nathan Bett is a photographer and educator in Hancock Michigan. Although originally from Marquette, Michigan, Nathan recently relocated to Hancock from New York City, where he taught at the City University Of New York, and represented a major camera manufacturer as a technical specialist in photography. He now spends his time indulging in the over abundance of natural beauty in his native UP and spending excesses of time outdoors with his family. Nathan maintains a passion for photography and the outdoors that he delights in sharing with students. His work can be viewed at nathanbett.com and @natebett and @artmonstermedia on Instagram.
