Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 37 min to complete. The Lake of the Clouds viewing area is also accessible. 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. Three of these rustic cabins are open all year long. Carolyn and I had the pleasure to re-visit Porcupine Mountains State Park this past March and do some more winter Yurt Camping. Yurts sleep four to five on bunk beds or futons and rent for $60 per night. 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. Add to that list the option of finding all three in one convenient, affordable location, and the clear winner is Michigan State Parks. Porcupine Mountains cabin rentals Book unique cabins, vacation rentals, and more on Airbnb Top-rated cabin rentals in Porcupine Mountains Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more. We l For those who enjoy winter in the UP and skiing at the Porkies, this is a great place. I think it would be great! The occupants of the West yurt had already beaten down a paththrough the campground, making the trek easy even without snowshoes. - See 627 traveler reviews, 622 candid photos, and great deals for Ontonagon, MI, at Tripadvisor. UNION BAY CAMPGROUND - Reviews (Ontonagon, MI) - Tripadvisor Cell phone service may be patchy, but the Visitor Center has wifi. After our jaunt, Domonick made us a gourmet backpacker dinner of macaroni and cheese! The site also includes a picnic table and a fire ring. We were told at the visitor center that the trail had been rolled, but we found that not to be the case. Yurts sleep four to five on bunk beds or futons and rent for $60 per night. Ski Storage When results are available, navigate with up and down arrow keys or explore by touch or swipe gestures. Welcome! Mount Assiniboine Park is a magnificent place of shimmering lakes, glistening glaciers, sky-scraping peaks, and sun-dappled alpine meadows. MORE INFO: On the East trail, you can take a short detour and hike out to Lake Superior. Discover Lake Superior, scenic trails & more. The roof of the structure was blown off during the July 21 windstorm. The rustic cabins at Sleeper State Park do have electricity. With coveted electrical service and fairly modern toilets, Porcupine Mountains Union Bay Campground keeps it pretty contemporary. It was built in 1914 after a previous structure burned down, and was remodeled by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Definitely burned off all that mac and cheese! There was no electricity (bring a head lamp!) Wet snow clung to the trees, which disappeared in a gray mist to the northeast. Hotels, resorts and cabins | Porcupine Mountains lodging information STAY IN THE LOOP Sign up for the Porcupine Mountains E-newsletter! An outdoor enthusiasts dream awaits at Rockhound Hideaway's Shell Cabin, with opportunities for snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, skiing and everything in between. Download the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness 100 Majestic Waterfalls While there are plenty of impressive places to experience fall color in Michigan, Porcupine Mountain State Park is one of the best. The Majestic Treehouse in Walhalla, SC. Are dogs allowed in Porcupine Mountains State Park? Ontonagon Featured Lodging Refrigerator/Microwave/ect Porcupine Mountains Union Bay Campground, Porcupine Mountains, MI: 7 - Ski waxing platform Lovely rustic retreat with views of Big Powderhorn Mountain, Gogebic County (from USD 114) Show all photos The Porkies hug the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. April 2, 2021. 25 Best Campgrounds Within Two Hours of Bradford PA - 2 BR, 1.5 bath, sleeps 7 420 Friendly for 21&up. Many of our yurts are also found underneath some of the darkest skies in Utah, so don't forget your telescope! Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 33303 Headquarters Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953 Visit Website Reservations Contact Map Amenities Accessible Travel + Leaflet What's Nearby Outdoors Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park More Info We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. It truly is one of the best hikes in all of Michigan, and possibly in all of the Midwest. Do not feed them and keep a safe distance if you run into one. For large groups looking for all the conveniences of home, there are modern lodges located in several state parks. Later, we would scoot down the bluff to explore the icy shoreline,pocked with ice canoes and other formations. Sign up for our mailing list to get updates on trip availability and blog posts. Since its construction, the cabin has been used as temporary housing by Forest Service rangers while they were . Gaze at the vibrant sunsets while enjoying a toasty fire on the beach. Hours: May 15 - Oct. 14: Open daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST Oct. 15 - May 14: Closed for the season Recreation Passport required for entry Camping & Hiking The yurts and cabins are $60 a night with an $8 reservation fee. Porcupine Mountains State Park reservations can be made six months in advance and are highly recommended. But it would have made tent camping in a three-season tent a challenge. Porcupine Mountains | Winter Skiing, Snowshoe Trails TIP: Bring your own toilet paper. 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. Cabin: Speaker's Cabin at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was moved 12 feet Tuesday, away from an undermined riverbank along Speaker's Creek. Enjoy the warmth of the Jotul Woodstove or the roomy electric sauna. Jealous! Yurts offer visitors both a unique and comfortable experience. The stove was a luxury, but it could also be an unwieldy beast, turning the yurt into a raging inferno that forced us to open the door for relief. Wood for an outside fire must be collected from down sources. 888-784-7328, Park visitors at the Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook Photo, Porcupine Mountains relief map in the visitor center Photo 3, A forest pathway at Porcupine Mountains. Winter yurt camping in the Porcupine Mountains is great for beginners When conditions allow, one side of the trail has a track for skiing, and the other is groomed flat forhiking, snowshoeing and on some trails, fat-tire biking. What is the total length of your motorhome? The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is 9 miles away along Lake Superior, offering skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking and waterfalls. The trails are open to snow showers and cross country skiers; we did see a couple skiers. Snowmobilescan cruise up the final6milesup to the overlook, butit would take a super fitsnowshoeror skier to make the 12-mile roundtrip,withmore than600 feet of elevationgain on the way there. Call1-800-447-2757 or see, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Cabins are 3 day minimum for Summer bookings. Fully fueled, we strapped into our snowshoes toheadto the parks downhill ski area. There are 16 rustic cabins scattered throughout the park available for rental via reservations. In the summer you can find trees, lakes, hikers, mountain bikers, birds, bears and mosquitoes. Once we got settled in, we did a 3-mile out and back snowshoe trek on the Deer Yard Trail via the Superior Loop. At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigans largest state park and one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. The highlands of the park were created more than a billion years ago during periods of volcanic activity, later being shaped by moving glaciers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. This is a pet-friendly accommodation! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. We left our house on the outskirts of Munising on Saturday morning and made the <3 hour drive west. from. The Presque Isle River trail is dog-friendly, but you must keep them on a leash. 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. Accessible campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas are available. Porcupine Mountains - Union Bay Modern Campground - RV LIFE I had never been to Porcupine Mountains State Park, but Domonick had spent one night out there two summers prior. Your email address will not be published. The yurt had two bunk beds and slept four people. Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center - Michigan We had everything we needed in the kitchen, little perks like a Keurig and toiletries in case we forgot anything. In the yurtslogbook, a past visitor described it as Goldilocks purgatory, noting We were either blazing hot or freezing cold, but never just right.. If your trip coincides with fall foliage and a weekend, make sure to check out the annual fall color lift ride. Sylvania Wilderness and Only the east side is generator-friendly. The park provides woodfor the yurts stoves, but youmustcollectdowned wood if you want afire outside. Tunnel of Trees We had our sightsset on a less ambitious trek, a 2-mile, guided off-trailsnowshoe hike down the mountain. This beautiful log cabin has 3 bedrooms and two baths and [. It is a blanket of orange at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level atop the 50-foot tower. The Porcupine Mountains State Park is located in Michigan on the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border. 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. We stayed at the Porcupine Mountains Union Bay Campground and the hosts made it one of our favorite stays during our van camping trip. They have no plumbing or electricity. Clean baths with hot water showers. Its an out and back with a few trailheads so you can still experience a portion of the hike even if you dont want to walk the whole thing. Do not miss waterfall chasing when you are in the Porkies. Ontonagon County has more than 100 waterfalls, many that are beautiful year-round. There are bathrooms. Waters Canoe Area, the - 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. Except for Sleeper Lake State Park and Holly Recreation Area, rustic cabins do not have electricity, and renters are encouraged to bring their own cookware, bedding and lanterns. And peak fall foliage season typically ranges from late-September to mid-October. Bradford PA 16701. A one Here a few notable ones: If you love waterfall chasing like us, also take a look at this Michigan Waterfall Guide! The cabins are equipped with standard furniture including a wood stove, bunk beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, cookware, utensils, and an outhouse. Gas Fireplace 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. 10 Best Yurts, Tents, Treehouses & more - Glamping Space Before it got dark, we foraged in the nearby woods for campfire wood. Four of the parks 18 backcountry cabins are available for rent in the winter, with similar amenities to the yurts. Follow the parks bear safety guidelines. The lantern-lit ski, snowshoe and hike is held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Saturday in January and February. Michigan's best hiking trails lead through old-growth forests, past waterfalls, and to the top of mountains. Details: WebHome Porcupine Mountains Yurt Camping: Part 2. The Friends of the Porkies is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and support Porcupine Mountains. I also cant wait to visit the porkies in the summer and check out the iconic Lake of the Clouds! I would like to receive news, exclusive offers, and fun updates from Hipcamp. Contact Chelsey Lewis atclewis@journalsentinel.com. There are some heated yurts and rustic cabins available for those who want to ski or snowshoe right from their door . This property is located in a peaceful small town close to great snowmobile trails. Because the hike in was so shortand we had a natural cooler, we were able to haul in more food and drinks than we normally would on a backpacking trip. We stayed in the Union Bay East yurt. Contact Us, 2023 Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Do this early, some cabins are reserved up to a year ahead. Scipio, UT Undeveloped Land for Sale - 1 Listing | Land And Farm The cabin will remain . Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, we offer the true four season vacation experience you deserve. Yurts. 2023 Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Hipcamp is created with and hope for our future. The house was very well appointed and very well stocked. Depending on the season, you can hike, swim, canoe, or ski in this beautiful area in Michigan. Lodging | Missouri State Parks You can choose from backcountry sites, rustic cabins, wilderness yurts, and the Kaug Wudjoo Modern Lodge. About a 5-10 mile drive to Porkies where we x-country skied. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 10 h 59 min to complete. One of our most popular camping options. 9/27/10, 4:15 AM Anonymous said. Dogs are not permitted in the yurts or any other park buildings. I definitely recommend yurt camping! It's around 8 miles from Ontonagon. A few windows and a dome in the ceiling let in natural light as we each claimed a bunk theyurts havefour beds, each with a thin plastic mattress and unloaded our food in thebear boxoutside, which was stocked withallthe pots, pans and utensils we wouldneed for campfire cooking. Our northern Michigan cabin rentals offer all the conveniences of home in a majestic wilderness setting. From there, we went off trail again, following bright-pink ties on trees as we switch-backed down the mountain. Many of these parks allow snowmobiling and all allow cross country skiing. - 25+ yrs experience We also brought our sleeping pads which turned out to be a good move since the mattresses were not soft. One of the rustic cabins in the Porcupine Mountains - Hard to believe this runs $68.00 a night. Really appreciate the bench & clothes hooks in the entry. Other rustic cabins available in winter are at Bald Mountain, Brighton, Fort Custer, Harrisville, Holly, Island Lake, McLain, Ortonville, Van Riper, Waterloo and Wells. Host was very My family gathered for a long weekend at this beautiful property on the shore of Lake Superior. There is no electricity or plumbing, but there are vault toilets nearby. For those looking for deep powder for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or other winter fun including a weekly lantern-lit ski, snowshoe and hike the Porcupine Mountains do not disappoint. Most backcountry cabins and campsites reopened at Porcupine Mountains It made for terrific snowshoeing some of the best Ive done and it frosted the forest in white,clinging to branches and trunks andproviding a gorgeous backdrop for exploring. Plus, its not that difficult of a trail so it was very relaxing. Discover a selection of 24 vacation rentals in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, US that are perfect for your trip. Snowmobiles can be ridden directly to the brand-new camper cabin at Van Riper State Park, which is perched on the shoreline of Lake Michigamme, while the camper cabin at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is located near a snowmobile trail and cross country ski trails. Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more. Our northern Michigan "cabin" rentals offer all the conveniences of home in a majestic wilderness setting. Other cabins and yurts are a hike in. without driving all that way Historical Museums If you're looking for a great place to go snowshoeing in the Upper Midwest, the Porcupine Mountains (aka the Porkies) are a great spot. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Call 1-800-447-2757 or see midnrreservations.com . It is the highest point in the park and the observation deck has outstanding views especially in the fall! Our yurt, Union Bay East, made it almost too easy and spoiled me for future winter camping. Mountain View Lodges offers close proximity to numerous hiking trails, abundant waterfalls, shops, museums and historic sites, Ontonagon County is where history comes to life. TIP: Bring your own toilet paper. Porcupine Mountains and Ontonagon Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Porcupine Mountains Loop. Enter by April 10. CJ'S Cabin, just a few miles from the beach and the Porkies. Another must-do hike is the Summit Peak Observation Tower. Author: Karel Hayes Publisher: ISBN: 9780892727506 Size: 34.90 MB Format: PDF, ePub, Mobi View: 1997 Get Book Disclaimer: This site does not store any files on its server.We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Winter visitors to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park will find ski trails that are groomed and track set for skiers, and snowmobiles are allowed on designated trails in the park. 2 days for Fall. . 10 best cabin rentals near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park tent combo that would last you several years. Soon the terrain began to flatten, and we joined theNonesuch Trail, rated as an intermediate cross-country ski trail. You'll find private cabins on farms, country estates and private land. 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. And in the other direction, the Big Carp River weaving through the forest along with the pretty bridge crossing the water. Click our photo tolearn more. Yes, there are black bears in the Porcupine Mountains and are frequently encountered in the park. Heat is provided from a propane furnace or woodstove, but yurts do not have electricity. The yurts are equipped with a wood stove with a supply of firewood (there was a small stack in the yurt and a larger pile covered with a tarp a short jaunt away). 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. Mini-cabins can sleep four people on bunk beds and generally cost $35 per night during the winter months. Porcupine Cabin. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Lodging - Parkcamper We found that Goldilocks level by sitting on the opposite side of the yurt and opening the door. (This map is not geo-referenced) Related Products Trail Details County Ontonagon Regions Western Upper Peninsula Latitude N 46 49' 5.16" Longitude W 089 41' 40.56" Distance 3.5 miles Trail Type Mountain bike and Nordic ski Terrain Lake Superior, old growth forests After checking in at the Forest Headquartersto get our yurt access code, we drove to and parkedbythe Folk School near the Union Bay Campground. - Professionally managed by Tracy They cost $68 per night, and entrance to the park for non-residents is$9 per day or $34 for the year. and being disappointed. DVD! The tree roots can be a nuisance trying to level. The bunk beds have sheet-less mattresses, and I brought a fitted sheet for each of us to put our sleeping bags on. Mountain View Lodges & Galleryis the newest resort in The Wilds of Michigan! Trail 1 runs past the front of the driveway, gas and food just down the road a block. We were traveling thru the Porcupine Mountains and drove by Union Bay at night and got somes cool sunset views. - Gas grill on deck Even with snowshoes, we were sinking. Camper cabins also are available in winter at the following state parks with groomed cross country ski trails: Mitchell, Tahquamenon Falls, Port Crescent and Proud Lake. Try Cornwall, Norfolk, France. Escape from the fast paced, hectic world and discover the quiet, serene wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains Ready to deepen your love of our amazing planet? It also was very comfortable and was very well laid out. Visitors should plan to provide their own bedding, cookware and camp stove. The host is awesome and v Our family enjoyed the cozy cabin! This is a great base for touring the area. $155 per night. 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Yes, even though they are not the type of snow-covered mountains you typically think of. Learn more about camping here. The views kept getting better and better as we continued on the high rocky cliffside. The parks Visitor Center is closed in the winter, so you must check in at the Park Headquarters,33303 Headquarters Road, Ontonagon, Mich., which is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (note that its in the eastern time zone) and is about 340 miles north of Milwaukee. campgrounds of Voyageurs Its 5.2 miles round-trip and will take you from the highest point in the park to a quiet lake and scenic waterway. Click the iPod to order. The winter yurt and cabin reservations fill up really fast, so the only . The lodges also make a convenient and easily accessible base camp for cross country skiers who prefer to have electricity and heat available while still staying in the state park, close to miles of groomed trails. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Camping, overnight lodging Unwind at charming lakeside cabins, full-service hotels and off-the-beaten path resorts A trip through history in the Porcupine Mountains Here's a closer look at the history of the area and the historic sites you can still visit today. Sunsets are phenomenol and is really pretty location and Park is super cool check it out The parks developed campgrounds are open from May through October, with first-come, first-served camping only in November. What I like most about Porcupine Mountain State Park is that you can enjoy the beauty of the area whether you are limited on time or have all the time in the world. I havent been to the Upper Peninsula part of Michigan yet, but it looks dreamy. Luxurious, indeed. 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. FULL DISCLOSURE: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. After some participants borrowed snowshoes from the park, wegrouped up at the ski lift to ride up the mountain. Top Sites for Glamping South Carolina. Porcupine Cabin, Custer Gallatin National Forest - Recreation.gov Plan for 3 4 hours. You can hop on at the Porcupine Mountains Sports Complex (the ski hill) located half a mile west of the Union Bay Campground along County Road 107. 1. The yurts can sleep four people and are equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, a wood stove, fire circle, cookware, utensils, and an outhouse. Hiking, fishing, and boating are a few of the activities available here.