Porcupine Mountains State Park Campgrounds

For more information and for details and costs of group camping, call (906) 885-5275 or visit http://mi.gov.dnr. For reservations: (800) 44-PARKS; midnrreservations.com Reservations for campsites taken 6 months ahead. Reserve by Jan. or Feb. for good availability. For lodge, rustic cabins, yurts: reservations taken 1 year ahead.

UNION BAY CAMPGROUND/ PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK
(800) 447-2757; http://www.midnrreservations.com
98 modern sites are on three levels of a grassy area with few trees, overlooking Lake Superior, right next to the park's best swimming beach and boat launch. Despite the size, this campground does not have a suburban feel. It's close to the rental concession, not too far from the Visitor Center and other popular destinations. Not a choice for those who savor privacy. But step down the big rock shelf to the lake, and you can feel you're in another world. Early reservations are best.

Presque Isle River Campground
(800) 447-2757; www.midnrreservations.com
On the park's far western end, a half-hour drive from the visitor center and Silver City, 50 large, wooded rustic campsites are on a 100' Lake Superior bluff, 1/4 mile from the mouth of the Presque Isle River. Four dramatic waterfalls are nearby, on a 2-mile trail loop, at the end of the 16-mile Lakeshore Trail. The best sites overlook the lake, with sunset views. Perimeter sites back up onto woods for excellent privacy. Central sites are wooded with no privacy buffer. Reservations for summer are strongly advised.

WILDERNESS CABINS/PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK
906) 885-5275; michigan.gov Reserv.: (800) 44-PARKS; midnrreservations.com
For many, the most desirable place to stay in the Porkies is in one of the 19 rustic cabins or 4 new yurts (sleeping 4). They are deployed in scenic spots around the park. (For cabin locations, see cabin icon on map.) Many are a mile or less from a road, requiring a modest hike with gear. Seven are on Lake Superior. Rowboats or a canoe are at the 3 Mirror Lake cabins, the Lake of the Clouds cabin, and the Lily Pond cabin. The most remote cabins are the 3 on the Big Carp River, four miles in. Cabins and yurts are simply furnished, with bunks for 2 to 8 people; table and chairs; and a wood stove. They have no electricity or indoor plumbing. At Michigan.gov/porkies, scroll down to find detailed downloads on "rustic cabin use" and "winter yurt manual" with tips on getting to your yurt on unpacked trails in time to dig away snow by nightfall.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING/PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK
(906) 885-5275; michigan.gov Reserv.: (800) 44-PARKS; midnrreservations.com
Getting back into the old-growth forest and backcountry, away from vehicles and concentrations of people, is the best way to experience what makes the Porkies special. Backpacking may not necessarily be as difficult as you think. Park staff can advise you of walk-in campsites that don't involve too much of a hike (though of course they won't be as secluded as others). Also, backcountry camping is permitted anywhere in the park provided it's not within ¼ of a mile of a cabin or road.
Do plan around the precautions in the "Backcountry information" handout, or download "summer wilderness camping" and "leave no trace manual" on michigan.gov/porkies. Also, be prepared to deal with bears. (See introduction.) These backcountry sites are not reservable, but registration for backcountry camping is required so that park personnel know who's out there in case of emergencies. Register at the Visitor Center (open 10-6 in season), or at the park headquarters. (It's staffed mornings before 10; self-register after 6 p.m.) Or self-register at the Presque Isle Campground, Lake of the Clouds, or Summit Peak. The backcountry camping fee is currently $14/night/group of 4. No advance reservations. Maximum group size is 12. Registering in person is very important for first-time backcountry campers to get the best advice on trail conditions, etc. Fires are permitted only in permanent campsites with fire rings. Currently there are 63 permanent campsites on all sections of trail. They're readily apparent to hikers and are indicated on the current park map. Outpost campgrounds (906) 885-5275; michigan.gov 14 drive-in campsites (no showers, flush toilets, or electricity) are in 3 rustic campgrounds off the South Boundary Road. Though privacy is much better than at Union Bay, these wooded sites are not particularly choice. Sometimes they can be damp, and bugs are more of a problem than in breezier places on interior bluffs or on the lakeshore. Campers must haul in their water, too. Prospective campers are advised to check campgrounds out or ask for tips at the Visitor Center.

OUTPOST CAMPGROUNDS/PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
(906) 885-5275
Reservations: see above.
Fourteen drive-in campsites (no showers, flush toilets, or electricity) are in three rustic campgrounds off the South Boundary Road. Though privacy is much better than at Union Bay, these wooded sites are not particularly choice. Sometimes they can be damp, and bugs are more of a problem than in breezier places on interior bluffs or the lakeshore. These campsites are not reservable. Prospective campers are advised to check them out or ask for tips at the Visitor Center.

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