Best Things to do Porcupine Mountains, Michigan (by an outdoor guide!)
October 15, 2024
Looking for one of the best adventures in the Midwest? Check out Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, one of the coolest destinations in the midwest. From waterfalls to summit views, backpacking to beaches, here are the best things to do in the Porcupine Mountains:
Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy, and I’ve been spending the last six or so years exploring the midwest as a wilderness guide! I’ve focused mostly on Northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This past year since moving to Northern Wisconsin, the Porkies have become one of my favorite places to visit and hike. I’m happy to show you around.
oh hey there! this blog uses affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
What to pack for a hiking trip to the Porcupine Mountains:
Summers can be hot and buggy, while both spring and fall can be chilly. October brings peak fall colors, but it can even be cold enough to snow! Here’s what you’ll want to back at minimum for your hiking trip to the Porcupine Mountains:
- 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
- A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets
- A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
- Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time.
- Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the alpine areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
- hiking sandals
- A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft.
- If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
- A day hiking pack: I love the REI Ruckpack 18, Cotopaxi Del Dia, or Gregory h2o hydration pack
- A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
looking to backpack the porcupine mountains? check out this beginner’s guide to planning and packing for your first backpacking trip!
view along the escarpment trail; view from lake of the clouds scenic area
Best Things to do in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park:
From hiking to beaches to backpacking and waterfalls, here are all the best things to do in the Porcupine Mountains State Park:
Are the Porcupine Mountains, Michigan, beginner-friendly?
In my opinion, the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan are an excellent beginner-friendly destination for hikers and backpackers, especially for people looking to level up from hikes near the Twin Cities, Detroit, or Chicago. Here are a few quick things to keep in mind when visiting the Porkies:
- Drones are not allowed in any wilderness areas in the United States, including the Porcupine Mountains
- While you’re likely to have a few bars of cell service on the peaks, cell service is inconsistent throughout the park. The nearest hospital is up to an hour away.
- You’ll need to pack out all waste including toilet paper, orange peels, apple cores, ect. These are wilderness area requirements.
- There are several ADA accessible viewpoints and family friendly hikes in the Porkies!
- Overall, the hiking in the Porkies is more challenging than the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and some elevation change. Footing is generally pretty good throughout the park. I would say that the hiking here is perhaps slightly more challenging than the Pictured Rocks, and substantially less challenging than many of the hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail (route dependent of course).
- You’ll need a Michigan Recreation Passport to visit and a backpacking permit if you are backpacking
Download a PDF map of the Porcupine Mountains for reference
1) Visit the Presque Isle River Scenic Site
One of the best, beginner-friendly hikes in the Porcupine Mountains area is the Presque Isle River Waterfall loop. Here, you can hike by three great waterfalls and some smaller cascades in less than half a day. It’s about two miles to hike the whole waterfall loop. Much of the loop is boardwalk and beginner-friendly.
Swimming in the river is advised against; currents are very strong and people have died swimming there.
2) Visit Lake of the Clouds Overlook (ADA Accessible)
Lake of the Clouds Overlook is probably one of the prettiest places in all of Michigan. Here, you can walk along boardwalk to the outcropping over the Lake of the Clouds below. This overlook is very popular and tends to be very crowded, but is well worth the visit nonetheless.
From the Lake of the Clouds trailhead, you also have access to several great hiking trails that will take you deeper into the Porcupine Mountains. Above, you can see a side by side of October 14th, 2024 versus September 12th, same year.
3) Hike Summit Peak
Summit Peak is an overlook and tower in the Porcupine Mountains. It’s the highest point in the mountains with views of the Porkies below and views of Lake Superior to the north, where you can often see the Apostle Islands.
4) Hike the Big Carp River Trail
One of the prettiest trails in the Porcupine Mountains, the Big Carp River Trail as it runs along the ridge then plunges to the river is a beautiful hike with a river fording!
The Big Carp River Trail also has some of the best campsites in the Porkies– remember that reservations are needed before occupying a campsite!
5) Hike the Escarpment Trail (prettiest trail in Michigan!?)
The Escarpment Trail might be one of the best hiking trails in the Midwest. Beginning from the Lake of the Clouds scenic area, head east along the Escarpment Trail for continued views of Lake of the Clouds along the ridge. This is a really stunning pathway, and an out and back. You can hike out as far as you want, just remember you’ll also have to hike back.
Just one of the many beautiful views along the Escarpment Trail in the Porcupine Mountains.
check out all the best hiking trails in Michigan (maps linked!)
6) Visit Greenstone Falls and Overlooked Falls
It’s a two mile hike round trip to visit Greenstone and Overlooked Falls in the Porcupine Mountains. These cascades can be accessed from along the Little Carp River Road and are on the North Country National Scenic Trail.
7) Hike the Lake Superior Shoreline
Whether you’re going for a swim or hiking the lakeshore, visiting the Lake Superior shoreline in the Porcupine Mountains is an absolute must! There are sandy beaches, beautiful campsites, and more.
check out the best day hikes on Lake Superior
9) Hike in to Mirror Lake
One of the best longer day loop options in the Porkies is starting at Lake of the Clouds, hike the Big Carp River Trail to Correction Line, have lunch and swim at Mirror Lake, then head back up the North Mirror Lake Trail toward Lake of the Clouds. This is a somewhat more challenging route with a river fording (river crossing with no bridge) and a good push up hill to reach the parking lot at the end.
Overall, hiking in to Mirror Lake is super rewarding both as a day hike or backpacking trip!
10) Backpack the Porcupine Mountains
Looking to backpack the Porcupine Mountains? You’re in for one of the best backpacking trips in the Midwest! The Porkies have beautiful campsites, great views, and relatively beginner-friendly terrain.
You’ll need a backcountry camping reservation which you can make here up to six months in advance. Note that while fall colors often peak in October, the chilly temps (and even snow!) can make the autumn a more challenging time to backpack the Porcupine Mountains.
check out a beginner’s guide to backpacking, by your friendly neighborhood outdoor guide 🙂
There are so many great routes along the Porkies! I recommend hitting some combination of the Lake Superior shoreline, Big Carp Trail, Escarpment Trail, or Mirror Lake.
Be prepared to dig a cathole 200 ft from your campsite, six inches deep, and bury your fece and pack out your toilet paper.
love reading about the best things to do in the Porcupine Mountains? You’ll also love…
- Visit Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Check out a full guide to Michigan’s Pictured Rocks
- Here are all the best backpacking routes in the Midwest