Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Photo: Yinan Chen / Public Domain
United States › Michigan

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1945
  • Size: about 60,000 acres (243 km²), Michigan’s largest state park
  • Highest point: Summit Peak, about 1,958 feet (597 m), with an observation tower
  • Overnight options: backcountry sites, rustic cabins and yurts, plus road-accessible campgrounds
  • Gateway: Ontonagon, about 20 miles (32 km) east
  • Managed by: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The landscape

The Porkies are a range of old, worn-down hills along the Lake Superior shore, cloaked in one of the largest stands of old-growth northern hardwood forest left in the Midwest. Lake of the Clouds sits in a valley between ridges, seen from a famous overlook. Rivers such as the Presque Isle drop through waterfalls to the lake, and the shoreline mixes cobble beaches and rock. Black bears are common, and the park also holds white-tailed deer, wolves and a wide mix of northern birds.

Best time to go

Summer is the main hiking season, with long days and cool air off Lake Superior; June brings blackflies and mosquitoes. Late September and early October are spectacular for fall color, and the park is busy on weekends then. Winter is long and snowy, when the park’s ski area, cross-country trails and snowshoeing take over and several roads become snowmobile routes.

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Getting there and around

The park is on the western Upper Peninsula, about 20 miles (32 km) west of Ontonagon. M-107 leads to the visitor center, the Union Bay campground and the Lake of the Clouds overlook, and South Boundary Road runs along the south side to trailheads and the Presque Isle area. Ironwood and Houghton, about an hour away, have the nearest commercial airports.

Things to do

A network of trails links the interior, and multi-day loops use the Lake Superior Trail, the Escarpment Trail and the Big Carp River. Backcountry cabins and yurts give a roof in remote spots, and Lake of the Clouds, Summit Peak and the Presque Isle River waterfalls make easy day trips. In fall there are chairlift rides at the ski area, and in winter downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Staying safe

Lake Superior is cold year-round and has dangerous currents, so take care on the shore and near river mouths. Rivers can rise quickly after rain, making crossings on the interior trails dangerous. Black bears are common, so store food properly at every site. Weather off the lake changes fast. Help is far away, and the nearest hospital can be an hour’s drive, so carry a first aid kit and a satellite messenger and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

A Recreation Passport is needed for every vehicle, and backcountry sites, cabins and yurts should be booked ahead in summer and fall. Several roads close to cars in winter. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current trail conditions, closures and reservations with the Michigan DNR before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
46.7420, -89.7884
Magnetic declination
3.1° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

53 places in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 3

Park entrances

Visitor centre

On the trail 18

Trailhead

Routes

Campgrounds

Huts and shelters

Sights 32

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Lakes

Point of interest

Island

Peaks

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingBackcountryScenic driveWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
ForestMountainsCoastRiversLakes
Key hazards
Black bearsLake Superior cold water and dangerous currentsRiver crossingsSudden storms off Lake SuperiorRemote from helpDeep winter snow
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall (foliage), Winter (skiing)
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
From Ontonagon, about 20 miles (32 km) east, via M-107 to the visitor center and Lake of the Clouds. South Boundary Road runs along the south side. In winter, parts of M-107 and South Boundary Road close to cars from December 1; the Presque Isle area stays reachable by County Road 519.
Water
Rivers, streams and Lake Superior; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Limited across most of the park; Wi-Fi at the visitor center. Carry a map and a satellite messenger.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Park headquarters: 906-885-5275. Nearest hospital: Aspirus Ironwood, up to an hour away.
Permits & regulations
A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. Backcountry camping, rustic cabins and yurts need a permit or reservation.
Leave No Trace
Camp only in designated backcountry areas, hang food or use bear boxes, pack out all waste, and camp well back from trails and water.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high54°F(12°C)12°C(54°F)
Average low33°F(1°C)1°C(33°F)
Rainfall3.9 in(100 mm)100 mm(3.9 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 58 minSunrise 8:15 a.m., sunset 7:13 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Bergland Dam station, 17 miles (28 km)28 km (17 miles) away at 1,300 feet (396 m)396 m (1,300 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

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Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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