Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Competes for USA TODAY's Top State Park Honors

Michigan's Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been nominated for USA TODAY's 2025 10Best State Parks competition, highlighting the exceptional natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities of this expansive wilderness area in the Upper Peninsula.

The park, spanning nearly 60,000 acres, offers visitors an unparalleled outdoor experience with over 90 miles of hiking trails, more than 70 waterfalls, and a unique landscape that includes some of the planet's oldest mountains. Rising to an elevation of 1,958 feet above Lake Superior, the park provides stunning vistas and a rare glimpse into a preserved wilderness ecosystem.

Tom Nemacheck, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association, emphasized the park's significance, describing it as the "last great wilderness in the Midwest." The park's ecological importance is underscored by its protection of 35,000 acres of old-growth forest and diverse wildlife habitat.

Visitors can explore the park's varied terrain through multiple activities across all four seasons. From hiking and backpacking to kayaking, fishing, and winter sports like snowmobiling and skiing, the Porcupine Mountains offer experiences for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Notable attractions include the Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Summit Peak Observation Tower, and Copper Peak, which offers a rare three-state view encompassing parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota on clear days.

The USA TODAY contest allows readers to vote daily for their favorite state park until May 12. The final rankings will be announced on May 21, with the potential to recognize the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park as one of the nation's top ten state parks.

This nomination not only celebrates the park's natural beauty but also draws national attention to Michigan's unique wilderness landscape, potentially boosting tourism and conservation awareness in the Upper Peninsula.