About Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
The Porcupine Mountains — known universally in Michigan as "the Porkies" — are in a category of their own. At nearly 60,000 acres, this is Michigan's largest state park and one of the largest wilderness areas east of the Mississippi. Old-growth forest that has never been logged covers much of the park. Black bears, wolves, and eagles inhabit the interior. The Lake of the Clouds overlook is one of the most photographed landscapes in the entire Midwest.
This is not a casual camping trip. The Porkies reward people who come prepared and plan ahead. Campsites book 6 months in advance on MiDNRReservations.com and the most desirable sites disappear within minutes. The backcountry camping system — 63 designated sites accessible only by foot — requires advance permits during peak season.
Modern campground sites at the Porkies book extremely fast at the 6-month window. Backcountry permits sell out weeks in advance for peak summer weekends. Rustic cabins on Lake Superior and inland lakes are the hardest reservations in the entire park system — sometimes booked within seconds. Start planning well in advance and set a CampDrop alert as backup.
Campground Options
| Campground | Sites | Hookups | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Spring | 100 | Electric 20/30 amp | Modern camping, families, RVs | Near park headquarters, closest to Lake Superior |
| Presque Isle | 100 | Electric 20/30 amp | More remote feel, river access | Western end of park, Presque Isle River area |
| Backcountry Sites | 63 | No hookups | Experienced backpackers | Dispersed throughout park interior — permit required |
| Rustic Cabins | 16 | No hookups | Groups, unique experience | Lakeside and interior — wood stove, basic furnishings |
Union Spring sites close to the Lake Superior shore are the most competitive. At Presque Isle, sites along the river are the most scenic. For the Porkies' signature experience, the backcountry cabin at Lake of the Clouds is the single most coveted reservation in the park — book at the exact moment the 6-month window opens.
Lake of the Clouds
The Lake of the Clouds overlook is the defining image of Porcupine Mountains. The lake sits in a glacially carved valley surrounded by old-growth forest, with the Escarpment ridge rising above it on three sides. At dawn with mist rising off the water, it is genuinely one of the most beautiful views in the Great Lakes region.
The overlook is a 0.4 mile walk from the parking area — accessible to most visitors. The surrounding Escarpment Trail offers more challenging routes with continuous views. If you are camping in the park, hiking the Escarpment at sunrise before day visitors arrive is the signature experience.
Old Growth Forest
The Porcupine Mountains contain the largest tract of old-growth northern hardwood and hemlock forest in the Great Lakes region. Some of the trees in the park interior are 300-400 years old. This forest was never commercially logged — extraordinary for Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Summit Peak trail and the area around the Lake of the Clouds offer the best access to the most intact old-growth areas.
Campground Map
Download from michigan.gov/dnr → Porcupine Mountains → Campground Map PDF
Screenshot and upload here — 800×400px
How to Get a Reservation
All modern campsite reservations go through MiDNRReservations.com at 8:00 AM Eastern (weekdays) or 9:00 AM Eastern (weekends), exactly 6 months before arrival. Backcountry camping requires a separate permit — available through MiDNRReservations.com as well. Backcountry permits are required May 15 through October 15 during peak season.
What to Know Before You Camp
Bears and Wildlife
Black bears are common in the Porkies. Proper food storage is mandatory — use your vehicle or the provided bear boxes at each site. Do not leave coolers outside. Wolves are present in the park interior but rarely seen. The park is one of the best places in the Upper Peninsula for seeing black bears in natural habitat, particularly in berry-producing areas in late summer.
Backcountry Permits
Backcountry camping requires a permit during peak season (May 15 - October 15). Permits cost $15 per night per site and can be purchased on MiDNRReservations.com. Each backcountry site has a fire ring. Maximum group size is 6 people per site. Camping at unmarked locations is prohibited to protect the wilderness character of the park.
Directions
The park headquarters is located at 33303 Headquarters Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953. From Ironwood, take US-2 east to M-64 north, then follow signs to the park. The park is approximately 15 miles west of Ontonagon.