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Porcupine Mountains State Park,
Upper Peninsula Michigan
Hiking, Waterfalls, Camping, Scenic Overlooks along the South Shore of the Lake Superior Circle Tour

porcupine mtns
View from Summit Peak, Porcupine Mountains




From the west, we recommend traveling via US 2 to Wakefield, Michigan, then take Michigan 28 and Michigan 519 to the Presque Isle Unit of the porkies. For the casual visitor, There's camping, a picnic area and a nice day hiking trail network around its fantastic waterfalls. And of course, for the serious backpacker, Presque Isle connects with the extensive backpacking trails that run through the porkies.

From the east, we recommend going through Ontonagon via Highway 64 to Silver City. Visitor attractions at the east end are the Wilderness Visitor Center, picnic areas along the lake, Union Bay campground, and Lake of the Clouds scenic lookout.

The south boundary road runs between the west and east ends. Several trailheads for short or multi-day hikes are along this road. But the most "don't miss" attraction is the road and a trail to Summit Peak (pictured below).

~~~"Click" on smaller images for a larger picture~~~

Summit Peak Hiking Trail

The half mile hike to Summit Peak is reached from the trail head off the South Boundary Road. At 1958 feet elevation, it offers quite a panoramic view of the area. > > >

summit peak summit peak

A boardwalk covers the last few hundred yards of the Summit Peak trail.

Far Right. Jo and Hans take a rest at the bottom of the Observation Tower. > > >

summit peak boardwalk
summit peak

The Porkies cover 60,000 acres and is Michigan's largest state park. Within the park is a block of old-growth forest comprising almost 35,000 acres and considered by some to be the biggest and best stand of virgin Northern Hardwoods and Hemlock in North America.

Far Right. Jo and Hans stand by a huge old-growth Yellow Birch tree that is representative of what is in abundance in the Porkies. > > >

trail map around summit peak

 

< < < A trail map of the Summit Peak area

view from summit peak tower - porkies yellow birch in ottawa national forest
Union Bay Picnic Area & Campground  

Several picnic waysides along this sand beach dot the approach to the Porkies from Silver Bay. (near right)

At Union Bay campground, the beach topography changes dramatically to Copper Harbor Sandstone. (far right)

beach along Union Bay beach along Union Bay


Our camping site at Union Bay Campground (near right)

The campground has 100 caming sites, with showers, electric and RV dump station. Several prime sites are along the waterfront. See Campground Map (far right)

Union Bay Campground Union Bay Campground
red triangle Porcupine Mountains State Park Hiking Trail Map & Facility Info
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Porcupine Mountains - Summit Peak, Camping

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Porcupine Mountains - Fall Foliage Colorfall color in the porcupine mountainsporcupine mountains summit peak fall color

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More Porkies - Waterfalls, Presque Isle River & Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area

red triangle More Scenic Porcupine Mountains Pictures
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Porcupine Mountains State Park Hiking Trail Map & Facility Info on the Porkies

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Porcupine Mountains - Winter X-C Ski & Snowshoe porcupine mountains winter snowshoe skiing

 

More Porcupine Mountains State Park Resources

  Michigan DNR Porcupine Mountain State Park Website
  Porcupine Mountains Visitors Bureau
  Friends of the Porkies Website
  Porcupine Mountain Ski Area Website
  Porcupine Mountain Music Festival Website

  Michigan UP Copper Harbor & Keweenaw Peninsula

Going east towards Munising and Pictured Rocks . . . More waterfalls and hiking pages from the Keweenaw Peninsula through Tahquemenon Falls to Sault Ste. Marie.

 

 

 

 

 
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Campground Directory
Lake Superior Circle Tour

Camping RV Parks
Upper Peninsula

Lake Superior Circle Tour Travel Planner

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Campground Directory

SuperiorTrails
Lodging




Wisconsin Outdoor Treasures Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Eric Hansen's guide to UP hiking is well respected in hiking circles. this guide includes profiles on some terrific off-the-beaten path hiking trails. [More info]

 



summit peak
Porcupine Mountains - Great Scenery, Great Hiking



Canoe Trails:
Wabakimi Canoe Trips
Canoe Trip Stories

Resource Links:

Black River Scenic  Byway
Porcupine Mountain
Copper Harbor

Michigan UP Lodging
UP Hiking Trails


 

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Upper Peninsual Fall Color
Tour Map