Stretching across nearly 60,000 acres of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the largest state park in Michigan and one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Spanning Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties, the “Porkies” protect old-growth northern hardwood and hemlock forests that have never been logged — a rarity east of the Mississippi.

The park’s crown jewel is the Lake of the Clouds overlook, where an ancient lake sits cradled between forested ridges. It’s one of the most photographed scenes in Michigan, and it’s even more striking in person. Beyond the overlook, over 90 miles of trails wind through the backcountry, ranging from short day hikes to multi-day backpacking loops along the Lake Superior shoreline.

Visitors can choose from modern campgrounds with electric hookups, rustic cabins tucked into the woods, or backcountry shelters for those looking to disconnect completely. The park also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter, swimming at Presque Isle River, and excellent trout fishing in its inland streams.

Fall color season — typically late September through mid-October — draws the biggest crowds, and for good reason. But summer offers long days, cooler temperatures than downstate, and fewer mosquitoes by July. Winter transforms the park into a quiet, snow-blanketed landscape ideal for solitude seekers.

Come prepared for variable weather, bring layers regardless of season, and plan to stay longer than you think — the Porkies have a way of holding onto you.

Explore Nearby

• Ontonagon Harbor West Breakwater Light — Lighthouse in Michigan
• Ontonagon Light — Lighthouse in Michigan
• Ottawa National Forest — National Forest in Michigan
• Smith Rapids Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Wisconsin
• Eagle River Recreation Management Area — Public Land