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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

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).

porcupine mtns
View from Summit Peak, Porcupine Mountains

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

Summit Peak

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. > > >

 

view from summit peak tower - porkies yellow birch in ottawa national forest

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A trail map of the Summit Peak area > > >

trail map around summit peak
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 campsite at Union Bay Campground (near right)

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

Union Bay Campground Union Bay Campground
 
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Porcupine Mountains - Summit Peak, Camping

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Porcupine Mountains - Fall Foliage Color

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

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Trail Map & Facility Info on the Porkies

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Porcupine Mountains - Winter Attractions

 

More Porcupine Mountain Links

  Michigan DNR Porcupine Mountain State Park Website
  Friends of the Porkies Website
  Porcupine Mountain Ski Area Website
  Porcupine Mountain Music Festival, August 22nd - 24th

  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
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Ironwood, Marquette, Houghton-Hancock, Michigan Upper Peninsula

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UP Lake Superior Camping Directory

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]

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