Porcupine Mountains State Park Group Use Area

Our trip to the Porkies was planned for September 21st, 2025, for a 5-day 31 MI backpacking loop. We made Backcountry camping site reservations online ($20 per night for a site for up to 6), which took a little getting used to, but was pretty easy. Check in on a Sunday morning at the visitor center was very a good experience, a beautiful Visitor Center and a smooth process to turn a reservations i... Our trip to the Porkies was planned for September 21st, 2025, for a 5-day 31 MI backpacking loop. We made Backcountry camping site reservations online ($20 per night for a site for up to 6), which took a little getting used to, but was pretty easy. Check in on a Sunday morning at the visitor center was very a good experience, a beautiful Visitor Center and a smooth process to turn a reservations into permits. We started out along m107 at the Government Peak Trailhead and walked the Escarpment Trail, a little of the Lake Superior Trail, Little Carp, river Trail, North Mirror Lake Trail, and the Government Peak trail. towards Lake of the clouds. There were several beautiful overlooks of the Lake of the clouds area where we could see the tips of the trees starting to change color and it was beautiful. The trails we chose took us along rivers with waterfalls, Lake superior, Lake of the clouds, and Mirror Lake Trails were well marked and easy to follow. There are plenty of steep up and downs, but we found those we're tiring but not that. There are large sections of Muddy marshy area so be ready, and River Crossings, so be ready to get your feet wet. Based on what we saw, the park is well kept. There are many more trails to explore, and the area around Lake Superior is quite beautiful. I highly recommended. Actually, I probably shouldn't be telling you all of this! If the park becomes more popular, reservations may be harder to get:-) do check out the website, because they do have cabins near the road and near the lake available for rent as well as cabins and Yurts in the backcountry. There are several places for swimming access to Lake Superior. Good luck and enjoy.

One of the most beautiful state parks I’ve ever been to in my home state of Michigan! The lady at the visitor center was so friendly and so knowledgeable, she guided us to areas that would have the best view for us , as we weren’t walking any of the trails. We spent the entire day seeing Lake of the Clouds, several waterfalls and enjoying the beauty of all the color in the state park ! We were ab... One of the most beautiful state parks I’ve ever been to in my home state of Michigan! The lady at the visitor center was so friendly and so knowledgeable, she guided us to areas that would have the best view for us , as we weren’t walking any of the trails. We spent the entire day seeing Lake of the Clouds, several waterfalls and enjoying the beauty of all the color in the state park ! We were able to stop multiple times and walk along Lake Superior and find some stones as well ! It was truly an amazing day spent here !

Incredible hiking with Lake of the Clouds being the obvious highlight, I recommend parking at the small government peak parking “lot” by the main park entrance and doing the 2ish miles (mostly uphill) to the peak, best views/pics from that side, over driving to the touristy photo spot. Highly recommend going here in general, regardless of whatever trail you choose, it’s a gorgeous area, Pure Michi... Incredible hiking with Lake of the Clouds being the obvious highlight, I recommend parking at the small government peak parking “lot” by the main park entrance and doing the 2ish miles (mostly uphill) to the peak, best views/pics from that side, over driving to the touristy photo spot. Highly recommend going here in general, regardless of whatever trail you choose, it’s a gorgeous area, Pure Michigan!!