Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – fondly known as "the Porkies" – features 60,000 acres of old-growth forest, roaring waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline, rivers, trails and ridges. The park's incomparable vistas make Michigan's largest state park a popular destination for camping, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing and more.
The park boasts many popular natural attractions, including Lake of the Clouds and the scenic Presque Isle River corridor. Other attractions include the Summit Peak observation tower, Porcupine Mountains Winter Sport Complex, fall chairlift rides, an 18-hole disc golf course, the new Porcupine Mountains Shooting Complex (operated by the Lake Superior Sportsman's Club) and more. The popular Porcupines Mountains Visitor Center offers interpretive programs, an exhibit hall, info on trail conditions, Wi-Fi, a gift shop and more.
Park roads, including County Road M-107 at the Whitetail parking area and South Boundary Road closes at Headquarters Road south to the Pinkerton Trailhead, close Dec. 1 through late spring for visitor safety.
During winter, these roads become designated snowmobile trails and reopen to vehicles when deemed safe to travel by the Ontonagon County Road Commission.
Access to Presque Isle Scenic Area remains available via County Road 519 just east of Wakefield. Additional seasonal updates are posted on the Friends of the Porkies or 906-885-5275.
Explore 42 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Donations support trail grooming. Borrow child, teen and adult-sized adaptive sit skis at the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex ski chalet. Please 906-885-5270 ahead for details, availability.
EnChroma-enabled viewers are available to help visitors experience the full spectrum of colors at at Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook, Summit Peak Observation Tower and Nawadah Falls. Thanks to the Friends of the Porkies.
Discover interactive exhibits, an exciting multimedia show, park information, a gift shop and helpful park staff at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Visitor Center. The center is conveniently located near the junction of South Boundary Road and Highway M-107 and is open daily mid-May to mid-October from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
There are multiple observation platforms located at the various scenic sites, including Lake the Clouds (accessible walkway and observation platform), Summit Peak and Presque Isle River (an accessible observation platform overlooking Nawadaha is located along the West River Trail) and East Vista (chairlift rides in the fall).
Specially adapted EnChroma-enabled viewers are located at Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook, Summit Peak Observation Tower
With exhibits on native wildlife and regional history, the Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center provides an introduction to the rich wilderness heritage of this park, including exhibits and programs that tell the story of Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula.
Two boat launches access Lake Superior. One launch is located adjacent to Union Bay Campground, and the second is located at the Big Iron River mouth in Silver City.
Simple Adventures offers camping supplies, gifts and refreshments. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available. Call 906-275-4200 for more information.
A gift shop, also located in the visitor center, is open late May through mid-October.
An 18-hole course is located in the Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex. The course is free, and discs are available for rent at the park's campground store located near the Union Bay Campground entrance on M-107. Call 906-885-5612 for more info. The course is open late May through mid-October.
There are numerous fishing opportunities in the park. Natural brook trout habitat is found throughout the Porkies watershed. Lake of the Clouds has special fishing regulations.
There is an accessible fishing pier located at the Union Bay boating access site (adjacent to the campground).
The park is home to 90 miles of hiking trails, including portions of the North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail.
Hunting is allowed in the state park; however, you should call this park directly to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations.
Metal detecting is allowed in certain park areas. Please consult the park map for designated locations and review applicable regulations. Only registered campers can metal detect in campgrounds.
A modern restroom is in the visitor center.
Seasonal naturalists offer nature-based programming at the park during the summer and/or fall. Check the park's explorer program calendar for dates, locations and topics.
Simple Adventures offers canoe and kayak rentals late May through mid-October. Call 906-275-4200 for more info.
Paddling is a popular activity in Union Bay in Lake Superior. Parking is available at the Union Bay boating access site adjacent to Union Bay Campground.
There are picnic areas located along M-107 that include picnic tables and some charcoal grills available first come, first serve.
There is a picnic shelter located in the in Presque Isle day-use area that includes picnic tables, charcoal grills and vault toilets. Shelter reservations can be made 12 months in advance at MIDNRReservations.com.
The park's sanitation station is located at Union Bay Modern Campground. There is potable water and two lanes.
The Porcupine Mountains shooting range, managed by the Lake Superior Sportsman Club, includes a rifle and shotgun range. There is an annual membership fee in addition to the Recreation Passport.
In addition to a few trails that are open to snowmobiling, County Road 107 and South Boundary Road transition to designated snowmobile trails during the snowmobile season. During this time, they are closed to vehicular traffic until the roads are deemed safe to travel by the Ontonagon County Road Commission
Enjoy 1.6 miles of Lake Superior’s Union Bay shoreline along M-107, the Presque Isle River and many other rivers and streams. A sandy beach is located within walking distance.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the visitor center late May through mid-October.
The Union Bay Campground is the park's only modern campground offering electrical service, a modern toilet building, a sanitation station, boat launch, camp store and more. In many sites, you can hear waves crashing along the rocky shoreline of Union Bay, off Lake Superior.
Several of the campsites are located along the shore. A sandy beach is located within walking distance along M-107. There are a variety of campsite sizes; some are ideal for tents or smaller campers, while others can accommodate larger RVs.
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There are 65 backcountry (or primitive) campsites in the park. The campsites are numbered, site-specific (meaning you camp at the site you are registered for) and outfitted with a metal fire ring.
Campers are required to dig a 6-inch hole and bury waste at least a quarter of a mile from any campsite, trail or body of water. Composting privies are located near some of the sites. Bear bags must be suspended at least 12 feet above the ground and far enough from the tree to prevent an animal from reaching or jumping on them.
Reservations May 15 through Oct. 15 are strongly recommended (available six months in advance and up to 72 hours before arrival).
Check-in process
Guests with backcountry reservations must check-in during regular business hours (except Dec. 1-May 14) at which time you will be provided your backcountry camping permit (reservation receipts are not the same). Late arrivals must check in the next day. Check-in hours:
Dispersed winter camping
Dispersed winter camping is available in the backcountry once the ground is snow-covered. To take advantage of this option, you must register at park headquarters Dec. 1 through May 14 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.
Please use appropriate Leave No Trace techniques.
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Lost Creek Rustic Outpost Campground is a small, three-site rustic campground located on Lost Creek and near the Lost Lake trailhead. The campground offers solitude and a camping experience unlike a typical state park modern campground. The sites are ideal for tent, van or compact campers.
There is a vault toilet, but no running water is available at any of the outpost campgrounds. You can access water at the park headquarters or visitor center.
Check-in process
You must check in for you reservation in person to receive access. Online reservation receipts are different from a permit. Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m. Check-in hours and locations include:
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Porcupine Mountains Presque Isle Rustic Campground is home to 50 campsites near the scenic and wild Presque Isle River. There are vault toilets and hand pumps for water. In addition to drive-up sites, there are also six walk-in sites located along the high bank of Lake Superior, approximately 50 yards from the parking area.
The campground is split into two loops. The east loop is a generator-friendly side, while the west loop is generator-free.
There is trail access to the nearby Presque Isle River and Lake Superior shoreline.
Firewood is available for purchase at the campground office.
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The park offers two adjacent rustic group use sites. Each site accommodates up to 24 people and is located very near the sandy beach of Union Bay on Lake Superior. These sites are intended for youth/civic groups, but - if available- may be rented by other groups.
There are fire pits, trash receptacles and vault toilets.
Please call the park 906-885-5275 with any questions.
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Set along the shores of Lake Superior near the entrance of the campground, the Kaug Wudjoo Lodge was constructed soon after the park was established in 1945. The name, pronounced kahg-WAD'-jiw, means "place of the crouching porcupine" in Ojibwa. Set alongside towering hemlock trees, the lodge represents what the park is all about. It served as the park manager's original residence.
The lodge is pet friendly. There is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin. Up to two pets (cats and dogs only) are allowed. *Effective Nov. 1, 2025, ALL Porkies backcountry rustic cabins and wilderness yurts (exept Tiny Quill House and Lost Creek Yurt) will be pet-friendly.<
The lodge sleeps 12 and includes four bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen (pots, pans, dishes, stove, range, refrigerator, coffee pot, silverware, dishwasher, etc.) and a laundry room. The lodge offers all the conveniences of home in a rare, private location overlooking Lake Superior. Locally made cedar log beds, a stone fireplace and hard maple floors are all part of the charm.
Sheets and towels are provided. Free Wi-fi available in the lodge.
There is a seven-night minimum stay May 1-Nov. 30 and a four-night minimum stay Dec. 1-April 30. Please call the park at 906-885-5275 to make a reservation.
Check-in process
Guests must check-in during regular business hours at which time an access key/code is provided. Late arrivals must check in the next day. Check-in hours:
Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m.
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Each yurt sleeps four people and is equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, a wood-heating stove, table/chair, fire circle, axe, bow saw, a water boiling pot, wash basin, cooking pot, can opener and percolator coffee pot. There is no running water or electricity. A vault toilet is located nearby (bring toilet paper). You must provide your own sheets and towels.
Union Bay East 4, Union Bay West 4 and Little Union River 4 yurts are pet friendly. There is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin. Up to two pets (cats and dogs only) are allowed.
The yurts require you to hike in from a designated trailhead. The shortest hike is 100 yards, and the longest is 2.5 miles. In the winter, snowshoes or cross-country skis are needed mid-November through May.
Potable drinking water is not provided. Unless carried in, all drinking water should be boiled for one minute or filtered through a 0.5-micron filter. Some commercial chemicals or treatments may also work. No hand pumps are available.
In addition to the wood-heating stove, a designated fire circle is provided. During the winter months, firewood is provided for heating purposes.
Check-in process
Guests must check-in during regular business hours at which time an access key/code is provided. Late arrivals must check in the next day. Check-in hours:
Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m.
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Set along the shores of Lake Superior inside Union Bay Campground, this tiny house sleeps four (two on the main floor and two in the loft) and includes a kitchen (small electric stove, microwave, mini refrigerator, coffee pot), table/chairs and seating. There is an accessible ramp. There is electricity and a propane heater. Potable water can be found in the campground. You must provide your own sheets and towels.
A fire pit and picnic table can be found outdoors.
Check-in process
Guests must check-in during regular business hours at which time an access key/code is provided. Late arrivals must check in the next day. Check-in hours:
Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m.
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Each yurt sleeps four people and is equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, a wood-heating stove, table/chair, fire circle, axe, bow saw, a water boiling pot, wash basin, cooking pot, can opener and percolator coffee pot. There is no running water or electricity. A vault toilet is located nearby (bring toilet paper). You must provide your own sheets and towels.
Union Bay East 4, Union Bay West 4 and Little Union River 4 yurts are pet friendly. There is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin. Up to two pets (cats and dogs only) are allowed.
The yurts require you to hike in from a designated trailhead. The shortest hike is 100 yards, and the longest is 2.5 miles. In the winter, snowshoes or cross-country skis are needed mid-November through May.
Potable drinking water is not provided. Unless carried in, all drinking water should be boiled for one minute or filtered through a 0.5-micron filter. Some commercial chemicals or treatments may also work. No hand pumps are available.
In addition to the wood-heating stove, a designated fire circle is provided. During the winter months, firewood is provided for heating purposes.
Check-in process
Guests must check-in during regular business hours at which time an access key/code is provided. Late arrivals must check in the next day. Check-in hours:
Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m.
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Named after the nearby historic copper mine site, White Pine Extension Outpost is a small, eight-site rustic campground located a couple of miles from Summit Peak Scenic Area. It offers solitude and a camping experience unlike a typical state park modern campground. The sites are ideal for tent, van or compact campers.
There is a vault toilet, but no running water is available at any of the outpost campgrounds. You can access water at the park headquarters or visitor center.
Check-in process
You must check in for you reservation in person to receive access. Online reservation receipts are different from a permit. Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m. Check-in hours and locations include:
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Union River Outpost is a small, three-site rustic campground located on Union River. The campground offers solitude and a camping experience unlike a typical modern campground. Union River is a classic U.P. trout stream. The sites are ideal for tent, van or compact campers.
There is a vault toilet, but no running water is available at any of the outpost campgrounds. You can access water at the park headquarters or visitor center.
Check-in process
You must check in for you reservation in person to receive access. Online reservation receipts are different from a permit. Guests can check in anytime throughout the day, but can't arrive until 3 p.m. Check-in hours and locations include:
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While there aren't any upcoming park events listed at this time, you can check out the DNR's calendar of events.
The park also offers weekly nature programs not listed in the online calendar.
