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April 4, 2016
DNR announces backcountry camping changes at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Contact: Jeff Gaertner, 906-885-5275 or John Pepin, 906-226-1352
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced some significant changes for backcountry campers at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula.
The changes include new online reservations for backcountry camping, check-in required at the park during office hours for backcountry campers and cabin and yurt users and the cabin and yurt reservations window is being shortened from one year to six months.
 This camping season, these new changes will only be in effect at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Upon success, they will later be implemented for backcountry camping at state parks across Michigan.
“In an effort to balance increased backcountry use with resource protection, this new approach will help ensure we retain the pristine wilderness character of the park,” said Porcupine Mountains park manager Jeff Gaertner.
The sequence of changes will begin to unfold May 15.
At that time, in-person check-in will be required during office hours for backcountry campers and backcountry cabin and yurt users.
“Many of our park cabins and yurts now have combination locks. To protect the security of cabin, yurt and modern lodge users, we will no longer be leaving keys or combinations out after hours,” said Bob Wild, park interpreter at Porcupine Mountains.
Cabin and yurt users will need to check in, in person at any of three check stations located on the east side of the park. Backcountry campers will need to check in to receive backcountry camping permits.
Check-in hours and locations include (All times listed are Eastern Time Zone):
May 15 through Oct. 15 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. as follows)
- Park Headquarters, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Visitor Center, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Union Bay Campground, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct. 16 through May 14
- Park Headquarters, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In response to requests from park visitors, backcountry camping reservations will be available for the first time online beginning June 1. Online reservations will replace self-registration previously offered at the park. Reservations will also be available by calling the Central Reservation Service at 1-800-44PARKS.
“This change will allow us to better understand how many backcountry campers we have at any given time and allow backcountry campers to register ahead of time, at their leisure,” Wild said.
However, online registration is not a backcountry camping permit. Backcountry campers will need to visit one of the three check stations listed above when they arrive at the park to be issued their backcountry camping permit.
In the last of the new changes, the window for making backcountry cabin and yurt reservations for the park will be shortened from one year to six months. This change will be put in place by this fall for those making reservations for the 2017 camping season.
At roughly 60,000 acres, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan’s largest state park, home to towering old-growth hemlock stands, roaring waterfalls and spectacular sweeping vistas. Annual visitation to the park is estimated at around 300,000 people.
For general information on camping in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/camping.
Get information on camping-parks and trails at www.michigan.gov/dnrcamping.
Make reservations to camp at more than 100 Michigan state parks by visiting www.midnrreservations.com.
A Recreation Passport grants vehicle access to any Michigan state park, boat launch, state forest campground or non-motorized state trailhead parking. Residents can purchase the Passport for just $11 ($5 for motorcycles) at the time of Michigan license plate renewal through the Secretary of State’s office.
Forgot to check “YES” during renewal? Residents and nonresidents can purchase a Recreation Passport window sticker during regular business hours at state parks. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport supports state parks and local outdoor recreation opportunities at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Camping: A backcountry camper sets out a tent in a beautiful location at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula. Park officials are set to implement some upcoming changes in the months ahead for backcountry camping at Michigan’s largest state park.
Cabin: A backcountry cabin on Mirror Lake at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is shown. Backcountry cabin and yurt users will need to check-in in-person under new changes proposed for the park in the weeks ahead./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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