Park Visitor Center and nature center

This should be a visitor's first stop from late May into October. Even after hours, the Visitor Center's short interpretive nature trail is a good introduction to area plants and animals.

Here you'll find informative free handouts, detailed hiking and topo maps for sale, and interesting background exhibits. Helpful park rangers can give information about trails, backpacking, canoeing, fishing (for steelhead, salmon, and trout), hunting, and more. The staff can be very busy at times. Visitors who want a lot of attention might wish to come in the morning or late afternoon. The nature book and gift shop stocks nature guides, among many things, and the guide to the Porkies.

A big, detailed relief map of the huge park helps orient visitors. An excellent 15-minute multi-image program, shown continuously, introduces the area's history, wildlife, natural features, and recreational possibilities. Guided hikes and other programs on nature and history are held afternoons and often evenings throughout the year, 2 or 3 times daily in July and August, 6-8 times/week in early fall. (Call or check online program and hike schedule.) Popular program topics include the Michigan gray wolf, black bears, the Nonesuch copper mine site, and stargazing at the Lake of the Clouds overlook. There's also an archery program. Check for details.

Off M-107 at the park's eastern end. (906) 885-5275. Open from weekend before Mem. Day thru mid-Oct, normally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Wheelchair-accessible. No fee except for park sticker ($10/year for Michigan residents, $8/day, $29/year for others. No pets.

Return to Porcupine Mountains State Park

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
POINTS OF INTEREST

Park Visitor Center and nature center. Reccommended first stop at the Porkies in season for tips from helpful staff, audio-visual and pamphlet background on natural and human history, detailed hiking and topo maps, guided nature hikes ... more

Escarpment Trail. The U.P.'s most spectacular hiking trail has stunning views of Lake of the Clouds, the Upper Carp River, and the vast interior of the Porkies ... more

Hikes in the Porkies. From an hour to days-long, select hikes in the Porkies ... more

Lake of the Clouds Overlook. One of Michigan's most famous views looks down from a dramatic Porcupine Mountain ridge onto a peaceful lake and Big Carp Valley ... more

Lost Creek Yurt. Very cool adventure if you're up to it: a 6+ mile trek through deep winter snow in a remote, dense forest to a delightful yurt warmed by a wood stove. ... more

Shining Cloud Falls. One of the legendary U.P. hikes for hardy soles up to a rugged 10+ mile outing ... more

Union Bay. The most popular and easily reached Lake Superior beach in the Porkies, it's accessible by car and even has a concession stand by the large modern campground. ... more

Summit Peak Observation Tower. It feels like you're floating above an undulating sea of green here at the park's highest spot ... more

Presque Isle River Waterfalls & Picnic Area. Many consider the three waterfalls here among the most U.P.'s most beautiful ... more

Overlooked and Greenstone Falls. Two fine waterfalls, reached by fairly short hikes through old-growth hemlocks and past a gorge, are well worth the walk ... more

Explorers Falls. For those up to a long hike into the Porkies, the reward is experiencing the finest waterfall on the park's Carp River. ... more

Hike to Trap Falls. A 3 to 4 hour hike though hemlocks, hardwoods and big pines to a remote and picturesque waterfall ... more

Along the North Country Trail. Not the Porkies' most scenic trail, but its most remote. Connects to Black River waterfalls, Trap Hills, and Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area beyond the state park. ... more

Long trek deep into the Porkies. A recommended 3- to 4-day backpacking hike deep into the Porkies, through old-growth forest, past waterfalls, along the Little Carp River. ... more

Abinodja Falls, Ogimawke Falls & Ogima Falls. Just south of the state park, a marvelous series of waterfalls for those willing to take the trouble to find them ... more

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