Michigan Bucket List: Porcupine Mountains
We’ve made a Michigan Outdoors Bucket List for the year, and we can’t wait to check off every. single. adventure! Follow along month-by-month as we highlight some of Michigan’s most beautiful and interesting natural experiences. And share your experiences with us!
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, affectionately nicknamed “The Porkies”, is Michigan’s largest state park. Located in the western Upper Peninsula, the park sprawls across 60,000 acres, offering more than 90 miles of hiking trails; a 35,000-acre old-growth forest; sweeping views, hills, and peaks; 21 miles of Lake Superior shoreline; hundreds of waterfalls, rivers, and streams; and a variety of camping options from backcountry to modern.
Why It’s On Our Bucket List
In addition to its size and abundant beauty, The Porcupines offer a variety of diverse nature opportunities for hikers and backpackers. 65 primitive backcountry campsites offer backpackers a place to rest along the trail, including dispersed winter camping options once there’s snow on the ground. Want the experience of backpacking without hauling a tent? A variety of hike-in cabins offer rustic lodging with distances ranging from 100 yards to 9 miles from the nearest trailhead.
What To Do When You’re There
With 90 miles of rugged trails to explore, you’re bound to encounter natural beauty everywhere you turn. There are many off-the-beaten-path places to check out, but Presque Isle River corridor and Lake of the Clouds are two can’t-miss hikes.
The trails at Presque Isle pass by multiple waterfalls, while Lake of the Clouds features an expansive view of the forested Porcupine Mountain swells and a gorgeous valley between.
While both areas offer some challenging terrain, the Lake of the Clouds overlook is fully accessible and easy to reach, and Presque Isle offers several easy trail loops that are manageable for beginners or kids.
Fishing, disc golf, and downhill skiing are other popular activities in the park.
Know Before You Go:
- They don’t call these “mountains” for nothing. While The Porcupines aren’t the world’s tallest peaks, they do present some challenging hikes, and cell service can be spotty, meaning you won’t necessarily be able to consult a trail map en route. Download trail maps before you go, or visit the Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center at the entrance to the park before you start your adventure.
- The UP is known for mosquitos, black flies, and tiny, biting “no-see-ums”, and the Porcupine Mountains are no exception. Expect insects to be most intense from May through July and pack insect repellent. Hikes through marshy or thickly-forested areas may be a lot more enjoyable with bug-repelling clothing or a heavy-duty head net. If you’ll be camping, an insect-repelling sleeping-bag liner may be the magic bullet that keeps you comfy at night.
- Backcountry camping permits are available at the Visitor’s Center, or you can make a reservation in advance.
- For up-to-date information on park conditions and more, follow the Porkies’ Facebook page.
