We carried all the supplies we would need for the trip. If you are planning a visit to the Porcupine Mountains Area and wish to receive more information, please write or call: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Historical Museums But they are a group of small mountains nonetheless and in a section of one of the oldest mountain chains in the world. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The Ojibwe looked at the tree-covered hills mountainous by Midwestern standards and thought they resembled the spiny back of a porcupine. The yurt had two bunk beds and slept four people. With more than 90 trails, there are many options to get out and explore. Other attractions include the Summit Peak observation tower, Porcupine Mountains Ski Area, an 18-hole disc golf course and much more. The trails are open to snow showers and cross country skiers; we did see a couple skiers. Hotels, resorts and cabins | Porcupine Mountains lodging information STAY IN THE LOOP Sign up for the Porcupine Mountains E-newsletter! Dates Guests Guests AdultsAges 16 or above ChildrenAges 3-15 Any pets? There are various options for lodging in and near Porcupine Mountain State Park that include campgrounds, cabins, and a few motels and hotels. Michigan's best hiking trails lead through old-growth forests, past waterfalls, and to the top of mountains. April 2, 2021. The image is even more pronounced in the winter with leafless trees popping out of a blanket of white. Reservations can be made by visiting midnrreservations.com or by calling 1-800-44-PARKS (1-800-447-2757). Clean baths with hot water showers. Three of these rustic cabins are open all year long. I think it would be great! It's around 8 miles from Ontonagon. The communication was very appreciated, as well as the welcome basket, the Moon Pies were a hit. We left our house on the outskirts of Munising on Saturday morning and made the <3 hour drive west. The park is home to 35,000 acres ofold-growthforest one ofthe largest tractsof northern hardwoodsin the Great Lakes region. TIP: Bring your own toilet paper. If your trip coincides with fall foliage and a weekend, make sure to check out the annual fall color lift ride. This is one of my favorite places to stay in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Winter brings snow, XC skiers, snow, alpine skiers, snow, snowshoers, ice, and snow. With wood-burning stoves andbunkbeds, the Union Bayyurts are a great way to introducebeginnersto winter camping andprovide a touch of luxury for experienced winter warriors. Urban pointed outironwood trees,white cedars and hemlocks. PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK 33303 Headquarters Rd. Difficulty: Moderate on the way down, Strenuous on the way back up. Seems a bit steep for no electricity, water or showers. Porcupine Mountains: Deer Yard & Superior Loop Buy the $.99 downloadable map! World-renowned Mount Assiniboine, at an elevation of 3,618m, is situated along the continental divide near the southeast corner of the park, and has defined mountain splendour in the Canadian Rockies for over 100 years. Carolyn and I had the pleasure to re-visit Porcupine Mountains State Park this past March and do some more winter Yurt Camping. Porcupine Mountains State Park Cabins & Yurts There are 18 rustic cabins and a few yurts located inside the park. - 25+ yrs experience Katie Urbanpausedat a hillside lookout in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you ever read the words escarpment along with a hiking trail, know its going to be fantastic views. Wet snow clung to the trees, which disappeared in a gray mist to the northeast. As far as backcountry campsites, there are 63 throughout the park. The nightly fee is $125; no pets are allowed. Unique inns, bed-and-breakfasts and VRBO experiences combined with top-notch quality hotels like Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Comfort Inn and Suites along with some great cabin and yurt . Typically, the cabins sleeps up to six and they're outfitted with two sets of bunk beds, a futon, electrical outlets, shelves for food and supplies, a fire circle and picnic tables. RELATED: 20 CAMPING ACCESSORIES WE CANT CAMP WITHOUT. With almost 60,000 acres of forested mountains, woodlands, and waterfalls on the southern brim of Lake Superior, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigans largestand wildeststate park. Lake Superior Trail. Bring your ownwater orbe prepared to melt snow. The only modern campsites are located at Union Bay Campground, which has a Tiny House for . Completely Furnished The views of the lake are amazing. Cabin: Speaker's Cabin at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was moved 12 feet Tuesday, away from an undermined riverbank along Speaker's Creek. Why Visit?Listen to the Wilds of Michigan. The Little Union River yurt is not for beginners when there is snow on the ground, as it is a 3-mile ski or snowshoe from parking. Porcupine Mountains State Park, established in 1945, is just one of Michigans 103 state parks (Michigan state parks boast 28 million annual visitors!). It is the highest point in the park and the observation deck has outstanding views especially in the fall! Our northern Michigan "cabin" rentals offer all the conveniences of home in a majestic wilderness setting. You can also call1-800-447-2757 24 hours before you arrive to get the combination code for your yurt. Wood for an outside fire must be collected from down sources. Our universal files play on any computer or video The park boasts many popular natural attractions, including Lake of the Clouds (with an accessible viewing area), the scenic Presque Isle River corridor. Located at the west end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in Ontonagon County, the Porcupine Mountains got their name from early explorers who thought the tree outlines along the crests looked like porcupine quills. Yurts,portablecircular dwellingswith a lattice structure covered in felt or fabric, have been used in Central Asia, primarily Mongolia, for thousands of years. For Reservations and Information about PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK Please Write: PARK MANAGER PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK 33303 HEADQUARTERS ROAD ONTONAGON, MI 49953 Learn how your comment data is processed. Yurts. MORE INFO: On the East trail, you can take a short detour and hike out to Lake Superior. Here a few notable ones: If you love waterfall chasing like us, also take a look at this Michigan Waterfall Guide! Services and facilities include free parking, a fridge and a kitchen. Mini-cabins also are located at the following state parks with networks of groomed cross country ski trails: P.J. An outdoor enthusiasts dream awaits at Rockhound Hideaway's Shell Cabin, with opportunities for snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, skiing and everything in between. Park facilities include a Visitor Center, restrooms, and picnic areas. Please note that the DNR map mileages are in kilometers, not miles! I would like to receive news, exclusive offers, and fun updates from Hipcamp. Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center Mailing Address: 33303 Headquarters Road Ontonagon, MI 49953 906-885-5275 Katie Urban, Interpreter The visitor center is located along South Boundary Road, near the 107 junction. Despite being referred to by its abbreviated name, the park is actually the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigans largest state park, and only designated wilderness area. It was fabulous! All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. It's easy to fall in love with backpacking in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, affectionately known as the Porkies. - See 627 traveler reviews, 622 candid photos, and great deals for Ontonagon, MI, at Tripadvisor. Definitely burned off all that mac and cheese! The Porkies are laced with almost 110 miles of trails that wind past cascades, streams full of brook trout, 63 backcountry campsites, 18 walk-in cabins and yurts and a nearly endless number of panoramic views that rival anything seen south of the Mackinac Bridge. - Jotul woodstove with wood supplied We were traveling thru the Porcupine Mountains and drove by Union Bay at night and got somes cool sunset views. But thatwasntthe end of our snowshoeing for the day. Our goal is to highlight amazing locations,share our journeys andpost our favorite travel resources. We found that Goldilocks level by sitting on the opposite side of the yurt and opening the door. Enter by April 10. From 22 house rentals to 9 cabin rentals, find the best place to stay with your family and friends to discover the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park area. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is 60,000 acres of old-growth timber and trails located on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The DNR estimates the Union Bay East yurt is about a 200-yard walk from parking in winter, but it was longer than that, closer to half a mile. Find the perfect yurt in Michigan, secluded . Unlike some candlelight hikes at popular parks in Wisconsin that can be crowded with people, we only saw a few other hikers on our journey. Take a trek to the Union Spring, the second-largest natural spring in Michigan. There are a profusion of activities to occupy ones time year round. This season the early snows were so sparse that the ski hill didn't open until January 17th - the latest on record. These cabins do not have luxurious soft beds, indoor heating, and a shower, but they are a step up from a tent. E is . The home was spotless and very comfortableit met our needs perfectly. The cabins are equipped with standard furniture including a wood stove, bunk beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, cookware, utensils, and an outhouse. Sylvania Wilderness and Unwind and enjoy all our area has to offer, anytime of year! It is also nice sometimes to have the flexibility of having a home base and then exploring the surrounding area via snow shoes or trail shoes without having to carry gear. Discover Lake Superior, scenic trails & more. Click the iPod to order. - No Cleaning Fee, Park Place - Updated Home Close to Downtown, Steve's Sweet Spot - UP Adventure Getaway, Modern Farmhouse Cottage (New Build - Fall 2019), Treat your inner kid to a home in the trees. As you stand overlooking the untouched tree-covered land, itll amaze you that such an area still exists in the Midwest. The host, Sally, is awesome to work with and communication was quick and helpful. Three of the cabins and 4 yurts are open during winter for skiing or snowshoeing. They have no plumbing or electricity. Discover a selection of 24 vacation rentals in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, US that are perfect for your trip. Porcupine Mountains State Park, established in 1945, is just one of Michigan's 103 state parks (Michigan state parks boast 28 million annual visitors!). The roof of the structure was blown off during the July 21 windstorm. The parks developed campgrounds are open from May through October, with first-come, first-served camping only in November. We spent some quality time exploring the park on our two-month road trip making our way around Lake Michigan and it was one of our favorite places. Helpful staff at campground. 2023 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. If choosing to do this trail, plan on staying at one of the three wilderness cabins on the way or at one of the backcountry campsites. After checking in at the DNR headquarters, we made our way to our yurt. These small, one-room cabins are located within established campgrounds and have electricity and heat. Whether youre heading to the lakeshore in summer or hitting the ski slopes in winter, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness welcomes adventurers through all four seasons. 2 days for Fall. Snow lovers will love the skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling opportunities. - Ski in/out on Wolverine Trails Or take in the vista of the shoreline from one of the kayaks available to guests. We stayed in the Union Bay East yurt. Reservations for Michigan campgrounds, including the yurts, are accepted six months in advance. Vacation Log Home On Lake Superior - Please contact owner for available dates Silver City, MI, US 8 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms from USD 299 View Deal 7. Information: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, 906-885-5275. However, by mid-February though conditions were ideal - for downhill skiing, cross country, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Tracy Ridge. We spent the first 3 days of October day hiking in the Porkies. The winter yurt and cabin reservations fill up really fast, so the only . Domonick and I decided to get out of town in mid-December and planned to snowshoe and yurt camp in the lovely porcupine mountains (aka porkies). week stay in a cabin could pay for a very nice sleeping bag and Cabin in Ontonagon Driftwood Shores Cottage Thepark hasmore than 25miles of trails for skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. - Gas grill on deck Do not feed them and keep a safe distance if you run into one. - Sauna Youll take various boardwalks along the ridgeline where youll see Lake of the Clouds snuggled amid a valley of trees in one direction.