Keweenaw Waters Resort in Michigan has officially opened its new campground, marking a milestone for a site that once faced significant environmental challenges.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the launch of the 89-site campground, which features cabins, a dock, and a playground for children.
According to an article published by Upper Michigan Source, Owner Derek Bradway began construction three years ago on the property, which was previously listed as part of the Torch Lake Superfund Site due to contamination from historical mining and smelting operations.
“What’s it like to see something you spent a lot of years of your life trying to work on, and do it?” Bradway said. “It’s absolutely amazing to do.”
Bradway worked closely with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up and restore the land to safe conditions for public use.
“Our team did all of the work, in coordination with the EPA, to assess what needed to be cleaned up, to drive the cleanup effort,” EGLE Director Philip Roos said.
EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel also noted that significant shoreline fortification and testing ensured contaminants no longer pose a risk.
“You can see right down here the hardening that’s gone into the shoreline to make sure there’s nothing getting into the water from sub-surface,” Vogel said.
Despite the grand opening, Bradway said development work continues, with plans for additional amenities to enhance the guest experience.
Keweenaw Waters Resort continues to plan for the future with additional cabins, a full-hook-up campground, a swimming beach, a boat launch, and a fishing dock.
Plans also include a nature boardwalk through the Coles Creek wetlands, offering visitors an immersive experience surrounded by native plants and wildlife.
Located just 1.5 miles from downtown Houghton and a quarter mile from the all-season Bill Nichols Trail, Keweenaw Waters Resort stretches along nearly one mile of shoreline.
Guests have convenient access to miles of woodland trails right outside their cabin doors. A short drive opens up opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing, charter fishing, golf, lighthouse tours, waterfalls, local dining, and shopping, making the resort a gateway to year-round adventure.
“As a year-round destination, Keweenaw Waters Resort truly takes the best Keweenaw Peninsula has to offer in nature and its people, to create memory-making vacation stays,” the campground indicated on its website.
Featured image by Keweenaw Waters Resort via facebook.com/keweenawwatersresort