Outdoor Adventures

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Visitor’s Center, located at 33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953, serves as the gateway to Michigan’s largest state park. Spanning nearly 60,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula, this wilderness area is renowned for its old-growth forests, waterfalls, and Lake Superior shoreline, making the visitor center an essential starting point for exploration.

Visitor Center Overview

Managed by park supervisor Michael Knack, the Porcupine Mountains Visitor’s Center offers a wealth of resources. Open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily), it features a 100-seat auditorium, an exhibit hall, and a gift shop. Visitors can enjoy a multimedia program detailing the park’s history, pick up trail maps, purchase fishing licenses, and make backcountry camping reservations. Contact the center at 906-885-5275 or fax at 906-885-5277 for inquiries.

Exhibits & Education

The exhibit hall showcases the park’s natural and cultural heritage. Displays highlight the largest old-growth hardwood-hemlock forest in the Great Lakes region—over 35,000 acres—featuring species like sugar maple and eastern hemlock. Wildlife exhibits include native animals such as black bears, gray wolves, and porcupines. Historical panels cover prehistoric copper mining and 19th-century lumber camps, offering a glimpse into the area’s past.

Outdoor Activities

The visitor center is the hub for accessing the park’s recreational offerings:

• Hiking: Over 90 miles of trails, including the 17.1-mile Lake Superior Trail.
• Fishing: Streams and lakes teem with trout and bass.
• Camping: Options range from modern sites at Union Bay to 63 backcountry sites.
• Winter Sports: 42 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails and a downhill ski area.

Maps and trail conditions are available at the center to plan your adventure.

Natural Features

The park, established in 1945, protects a rugged landscape near Lake Superior. Key attractions include Lake of the Clouds, a scenic overlook 1,300 feet above sea level, and the Presque Isle River, with its series of waterfalls—Manabezho, Manido, and Nawadaha. The Summit Peak Observation Tower, at 1,958 feet, offers panoramic views of the forest and lake.

Wildlife & Ecology

The park’s diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. Common sightings include white-tailed deer, beavers, and river otters, with rarer species like moose and cougars also present. Birdwatchers can spot peregrine falcons and goshawks. The visitor center’s exhibits provide detailed insights into these species and their habitats.

Historical Significance

The Porcupine Mountains have a rich history tied to copper mining, with sites like the Nonesuch Mine active from 1867 to 1912. The park, designated a wilderness area in 1972, preserves this legacy alongside its natural splendor. The visitor center’s displays trace this timeline, connecting visitors to the region’s Indigenous roots and industrial past.

Nearby Attractions

Enhance your visit with these nearby spots:

• Ontonagon Lighthouse: 3 miles east, one of Michigan’s oldest lighthouses, built in 1866.
• Bond Falls: 30 miles southeast, a 100-foot-wide waterfall on the Ontonagon River.
• Adventure Mine: 25 miles southwest, offering tours of a historic copper mine.

Plan Your Visit

A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry ($14 daily for residents, $40 annually for non-residents as of 2025). The visitor center is 15 miles west of Ontonagon off M-107, near South Boundary Road. Check michigan.gov/dnr for updates, especially as the center was closed May 15–August 15, 2024, for road reconstruction. Coordinates: 46.7836, -89.6287.