Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is in the running again for being the best of the best in the U.S. — this time it is in USA TODAY’s Reader’s Choice for the 10Best State Parks. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is vying with 20 nominees from across the country for the top spot. Now you have an opportunity to vote daily until May 12 to rank it #1.
“We are excited that USA TODAY editors and a panel of travel experts have recognized Michigan’s largest state park as one of the most remarkable in the nation,” said our Executive Director Tom Nemacheck. “The Porkies represent the last great wilderness in the Midwest. It is a place of unmatched beauty and boundless adventure.”
Why the Porkies Deserve Your Vote
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park stands out from other nominees on many levels. This wild, mountainous landscape spans 60,000 acres in the western Upper Peninsula that could take days to explore fully.
In 1928, a petition was made for the Porcupine Mountain area to be designated a national park. But two major historical events, the Great Depression and the advent of World War II stalled the talks and halted the effort. However, in 1944, the State Park Division renewed its attempt to preserve the forest and wilderness and spur tourism to the area. In 1945, it became a state park and in 1972, the state legislature passed the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act and renamed it the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
One of the park’s distinguishing geological attractions is its mountain range rising abruptly to an elevation of 1,958 feet above Lake Superior. The rounded, forested mountains are some of the oldest on the planet! They form a 12-mile escarpment and deep-cut Big and Little Carp River valleys. While many of the ways we live have changed tremendously, this land of towering hemlocks and hardwoods defies time and change.
Adventurers can encounter the untamed wilderness on over 90 miles of hiking trails, chase over 70 waterfalls, paddle along miles of scenic rivers and streams and take in sweeping vistas of Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline. The park also protects 35,000 acres of old-growth forest and abundant wildlife — one of the largest wilderness areas in the Midwest. Unforgettable experiences await, from the breathtaking Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Summit Peak Observation Tower to Copper Peak, where clear skies reveal a rare, three-state view of parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
A Four-Season Outdoor Playground for Everyone
The Porkies may be wild but there is something for everyone from weekend wanderers to die-hard explorers. It is a popular destination for hikers, off-the-grid backpackers, anglers, kayakers, fall color seekers, snowmobilers, downhill and cross-country skiers and snowshoers. It has nearby lodgings with the amenities and rates to fit travelers’ needs plus modern and rustic campgrounds for campers.
Discover More About the Porkies
How to Vote
USA readers will determine the top 10 state parks by voting for their favorite among the 20 nominees posted online. The contest is open now and ends May 12 at noon ET. Readers can vote once per day until the poll closes. USA TODAY will announce the final rankings of the top 10 winners on May 21.
After you vote, please share the link below with your family and friends. The more votes it receives each day, the faster the Porcupines Mountains Wilderness State Park will climb to the top spot.