Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is 15 miles west of Ontonagon in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The park’s 60,000 acres are one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams make a visit to the “Porkies” a trip to remember. As Michigan’s largest state park, planning your trip may require the use of various maps. Links to these important maps are provided below.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was established in 1945 by Michigan’s Legislature. Since then, many changes have taken place in the way we live; however, the Porcupine Mountains are almost unchanged. The remote interior with its towering pine and hemlock seems to defy time. The solitude of the park is mysterious and exciting. As Michigan’s only state designated wilderness, the Porkies is partnered with Leave No Trace ethics and has developed manuals for specific uses. For wilderness use manuals, please click the links below.

 

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

A hiker to the interior of the Porkies must actually turn back the clock and call on skills that were second nature to our ancestors. One must appreciate the ways of a wilderness area to thoroughly enjoy backpacking the Porkies. Remember: the difference between tired feet and the satisfaction of an outstanding view is mostly a