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Scenic Overlook Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers 4 types of camping and campgrounds:
Backcountry Camping
As one of the premier backpacking destinations in the upper midwest, the Porkies offers a wide variety of trails sprinkled with designated camp areas. Each of the campsites has a fire ring and can accomodate up to 6 camper-backpackers. In order to protect the wilderness experience, hikers are limited to overnight camping only at one of these 63 designated backcountry campsites. In order to preserve the wilderness experience, all backcountry campers are required to obtain a backcountry camping permit and during the peak hiking season (May 15 - October 15) campsite reservations are strongly recommended.
There are also 3 outpost camping areas located near trailheads that will accomodate several tents and campers.
Rustic Cabins & Yurts
Also along the hiking trails throughout the park are 18 rustic backcountry cabins and yurts that can be rented and again due to popularity advance reservations are recommended. The cabins are furnished with beds, cookware and tableware, mattresses, table, chairs, fire ring, an outhouse and and ax and saw. You bring your own bedding, potable water and toilet paper. All waste and other equipment is pack-in/pack-out. Most cabins and yurts require a 1 - 4 mile hike to reach and accomodate from 2 to 6 campers.
Presque Isle Rustic Campground
Located adjacent to the attractive Presque Isle River and Waterfalls, the Presque Isle campground offers 50 campsites for tenting and RV use. No electric service is available and the water is via a hand pump and the toilets are vault toilets.
The sites are semi-wooded and are divided into two loops, one of which prohibits generator use for a quieter camping experience. There's also a day-use area for viewing the waterfalls and hiking along the river.
Union Bay Campground
The Union Bay Campground is located on the shores of Lake Superior offers modern toilet and shower facilities, electric service, an RV dump station, a boat ramp and other amenities.
The campground offers 100 campsites, some right on the lakeshore. The sites are semi-wooded and located on grass. Most sites are pretty level, but others are best suited for tents. During wet weather the grass sites can present some challenges for parking your motor home.
Campground Beaches. The sand swimming beach is located a short walk east of the campground (left pix) but the shoreline by the campground is solid basalt - great for walking and getting some "rays" but not for swimming.
Camping Alternative
Big Bear Union River Campground
Due to its popularity, getting an RV site at the Union Bay Campground can be difficult during late spring, summer, and fall color seasons. A good option for RV campers needing electric service is very close to the entrance to the Porkies - Big Bear Union River Campground. 45 Semi-wooded and generally quite level sites; some with both electricity and water. Clean, modern washrooms with showers. Snacks, firewood, ice, and supplies at the office store. Very convenient, almost walking distance, to the Porkies. Decent prices.
Get more information on Porcupine Mountains Hiking Trail Map & Camping in the Porcupine Mountains
Porcupine Mountains - Summit Peak, Union Bay Campground (this page)
Hiking and Back-Packing in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park
Lake of the Clouds Scenic Overlook
Porcupine Mountains - See the colorful Fall Foliage
Waterfalls, Presque Isle River & Campground
More Scenic Porcupine Mountains Pictures
Porcupine Mountains - Winter Attractions
Hiking Trail Map & Facility Info on the Porkies
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
Here's a full map you can print out showing the campsites, back-country rustic cabins, hiking trails, waterfalls, and other points of interest within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Here's a link to a publication with more info on visiting the Porcupine Mountains - Porcupine Mountains Visitor.
Best Upper Peninsula Campgrounds along Lake Superior - See our guide to our favorite Upper Peninsula Michigan camping spots along the Lake Superior Circle Route.
More Links
Michigan Upper Peninsula
Lake Superior Circle Drive Attractions
Going east towards Marquette, Munising and Pictured Rocks . . . More waterfalls, hiking pages, and scenic attractions from Munising through Tahquemenon Falls to Sault Ste. Marie.
Going west towards Black River Scenic Area . . . waterfalls, hiking, camping, rock picking.
Copper Harbor & Keweenaw Peninsula
Directory Upper Peninsula Travel Pages . . . on SuperiorTrails
SuperiorTrails.com - Reinhold Development - 2023
Outstanding Fall Color Porcupine Mountains Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook.
Best Upper Peninsula Campgrounds
Lake Superior Camping
& Campground Directory
Best Camping along Lake Superior.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Waterfalls.
Fall Color at Porcupine Mountains State Park
Upper Peninsula Fall Color
Tour Map
Porcupine Mountains Guide for Hikers, Backpackers, Campers and Winter Visitors
The third edition of the most comprehensive guide to the hiking trails and backcountry camping of Porcupine Mountains State Park. Great for planning your trip or tuck the book in your backpack during your hike.
Go here for Upper Peninsula camping, hiking, and backpacking guides
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