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No service, no light pollution, no worries. Escape to one of the most back-country wildernesses in the Midwest.
Hiking in the porcupine mountains could be a day trip or a week trip. From a short rim hike overlooking Lake of the Clouds to a three day back country camping excursion, there are endless amounts of options for planning a getaway to the Porcupine Mountains.
Located in the far northwest of Michigan, the Porcupine Mountains are the only designated mountain range in state. They sit on the edge of Lake Superior, and hundreds of miles from any major city.
The light pollution is extremely low, and if you're lucky you'll catch a glimpse of the northern lights. The most popular time to visit is in October, when fall colors are at their peak.
If you plan to make a trip here in the fall or spring, prepare for low temperatures at night. The weather in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is quite unpredictable. Sometimes there is snow as early as September and as late as May.
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Hike the Escarpment Trail
Upon arriving at Porcupine Mountains State Park (from Highway 107) in Ontonagon, Michigan, follow signs to the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking lot. From this overlook you will get a taste of the many views of Lake of the Clouds that are to come. The Escarpment Trail begins here and parallels the lake above the two rocky peaks, Cloud and Cuyahoga, for the majority of the hike.Along the trail...
Backpack the Big Carp River and Lake Superior Trails in the Porkies
We started our hiking in the afternoon at the Lake of the Clouds parking lot. Our original plan for the hike was to through hike the Lake Superior Trail, however, due to muddy conditions and recent rain, we chose the Big Carp River Trail as a dryer route to get to our mid-camp point near the Big Carp cabins. The beginning of the hike offered fantastic views of the overlook area. The cliffs and she...
Summit Peak Observation Tower
Summit Peak Observation Tower is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Ontonagon, Michigan.
Mirror Lake Cabins Loop
The trip to Mirror Lake begins at the Summit Peak Scenic Area. To extend your hike, start at the Lily Pond trail-head farther south on Summit Peak Road (5.3 miles to cabin). The initial trail towards the lake is the Beaver Creek trail (1.2 miles). The trail climbs down the peak slope into some lower valley and towards the Little Carp River. The trail was well managed and fairly dry, with select...
Backpack the Union Spring and Lost Lake Trails in the Porkies
The hike begins at the Union Spring trailhead, roughly two miles south of the Park Headquarters on Boundary Road. This area of the park is also the winter cross country and snowshoeing section of the park, so many of the trails are marked for winter travel. To make sure you stay on the summer route, follow the "ungroomed section" of the Union Spring trail. Continuing the trail, you should reach...
Snowshoe to the Lost Creek Yurt in the Porkies
The Porcupine Mountains offer a lot of fantastic winter options including cabin and yurt rentals for winter excursions. The most remote trek available in the park is towards the Lost Creek Yurt, a 6.8 miles route that is 2.8 miles on cross country ski trail, and 4 miles on a flagged route into the woods.  To start the hike, enter the park at the Headquarters Office off of the junction of M-107 ...