Located in the Upper Peninsula section of Michigan is the Porcupine Mountains, a group of small mountains near the shore of Lake Superior. “The Porkies,” as the locals call them, were named by the native Ojibwa tribe due to their shape, which they thought resembled a porcupine.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was the site of copper mining in the 19th century. Today, visitors come to explore the miles of hiking trails that wind through the mountains, as well as The Lake Superior water trail that forms the northern edge of the park and is best seen via canoe or kayak.
One of the Waterways within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Nearest major city: Duluth, Minnesota and Green Bay, Wisconsin are the closest. Each is about 200 miles from the park.
Famous for: The Porcupine Mountains are home to the most extensive span of old growth northern hardwood forest in North America west of the Adirondack Mountains.
Admission: $6/vehicle per day
Families with children will like: Exploring all the hiking trails. Spotting for wildlife – black bears are plentiful in this park.
Other travelers will like: Fishing (license required) on either Lake Superior or Lake of the Clouds within the park.
Music lovers will enjoy the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, held at the end of August. This three-day event offers the finest folk, bluegrass, blues and cajun/zydeco music.
Easy sightseeing: Try the wooden boardwalk trail that leads to an overlook at Lake of the Clouds. .
Camping information: There are several campgrounds ranging from basic tent-only to those that offer RV sites with electric hookups. Rates range from $14-$25/night.
Other park lodging: The campgrounds also offer several cabins for rent, as well as a few furnished yurts, at $60/night.
The Kaug Wudjoo Lodge inside the park is a single group lodging that sleeps up to 12 and rents for $1225/week. Call 906-885-5275 for more details.
Other nearby lodging: The small towns of Silver City and Ontonagon, Michigan, have a small selection of motels/hotels to choose from.
Best months to visit for weather: Late spring and early fall are best for moderate temperatures. Fall is best for the changing colors of the leaves.
Best months to visit to avoid crowds: Peak tourist seasons are the summer months. Spring and fall weekdays are probably the best if looking to avoid crowds.
Getting here:
- Flying – Houghton County Memorial Airport is serviced by Delta regional flights. Green Bay, Wisconsin (200 miles south) is the nearest major airport for more flight options
More info can be found at: Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
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[Photo courtesy of Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources]