If you’re looking for a memorable backpacking trip while walking along the beauty of the upper peninsula of Michigan and Lake Superior — you should head to Porcupine Mountains State Park (also referred to as the Porkies). The park has an excellent and well-maintained trail system in addition to easy-to-see backcountry campsites.
We went on a five day backpacking trip with my sister and her husband, and the entire itinerary was put together by my sister — a Michigan expert and UP enthusiast! It ended up being a perfect amount of hiking each day, with one super long day, a variety of scenery, and an amazing night camping along Lake Superior. If I could extend our trip, more nights along Lake Superior would be one of the first places I would want to spend more time. The entire trip, we always crossed water to fill up on drinking and cooking water (using a filter). The park rangers were immensely helpful and happy to talk about plans for filling up on water and current conditions in the park.
One important notes: We went in early July, and the flies and mosquitos were brutal. We were told later if we had waited a few weeks, the flies would be hardly noticeable. If you are limited on the week you are able to go, we recommend buying a bug net hat to keep the flies and mosquitos out of your face!
Here was our trip itinerary, and it may help to reference the backcountry map here.
Park: Ranger Station – Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area
Hike S on North Mirror Lake Trail to Campsite (3.8 Miles)
(Day Total 3.8 Miles)
7/3-7/5: Campsite NML-1 (on Mirror Lake)
(Campsite: on water; has bear pole or locker; & metal fire ring included.)
Hike SW on Little Carp River Trail (5.3 Miles)
Hike SW on Cross Trail Junction (.3 Miles) (stay left off of Little Carp)
Hike NW on Cross Trail Junction (.3Miles)
(*Cross Trail Junction looks like an upside down triangle. Overlooked Falls is at the bottom point of triangle. Option to go right off of Little Carp for .4 Miles and skip Overlooked Falls)
Hike W (slightly N) on Little Carp River Trail (.4 Miles)
Hike NW on Cross Trail (4.5 Miles)
Hike SW on Lake Superior Trail to Campsite (Approx .3 Miles)
(Day Total 11.1 Miles)
7/5-7/6: Campsite LS-8 (on Lake Superior!)
(Campsite: has bear pole or locker; & metal fire ring included.)
Hike NE on Lake Superior Trail to Cross Trail/Big Carp River Trail (Approx .3 Miles)
Hike SE on Big Carp River Trail (*After about 1 Mile of SE, hike is mostly NE) (Approx. 6 Miles)
(*Campsite is not on water. Big Carp River Trail crosses river right after Correction Line Trail. The river is slightly West of campsite. Might be best to fill up water before leaving Lake Superior.)
(Day Total 5.3 Miles)
7/6-7/7: Campsite BC-1 (on Big Carp River Trail)
(Campsite: no water source; no bear pole or locker – bring rope to hang food from trees; & metal fire ring included.)
Continue hiking NE on Big Carp River Trail (2.5 Miles)
(Day Total 2.5 Miles)
END: Lake of the Clouds Ranger Station
(*if time/energy, Lake of the Clouds is supposed to be incredible.)
Trip Total: 22.7 Miles
