KOAR 2025 Trip Report — Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan

When: September 2025

Where: Copper Harbor, MI / Keweenaw Peninsula

Who: Solo

Rig: Custom fire truck camper towing 2500 Ram

Duration: 3 days

The Event

Back to KOAR for the second year. The Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat is held in Copper Harbor at the tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula—group trail runs, classes, vendors, and camping. This year I set up in the vendor village for the duration.

The Setup

Brought the fire truck camper up and flat-towed the Ram 2500 behind it. The fire truck handled the haul without issue and served as home base in the vendor village. Having the Ram along meant I could unhook and explore the peninsula without breaking down camp.

Camp Cooking

This trip turned into a camp cooking showcase. Broke out the pizza oven and made a bunch of meals from camp. When you're up there for three days with a proper kitchen setup, might as well use it. Good food, good weather, no complaints.

Exploring the Peninsula

Spent time exploring the Keweenaw again—different routes than last year, same remote feel. The peninsula has endless old mining roads, forest two-tracks, and Lake Superior shoreline to poke around.

Agate Hunting

Got out on the beaches for some agate hunting. The Keweenaw is known for it—Lake Superior agates wash up on the shoreline and you can spend hours scanning the rocks. Found a few keepers.

Final Thoughts

Second year at KOAR, different experience than the first. Last year was about covering ground with the Comanche and an employee. This year was solo, slower pace, more time cooking and hunting agates than hammering trails. Both ways work. The Keweenaw is the kind of place that rewards return trips—there's always more to explore.

See you next year.