I've been to the Porcupine Mountains State Park many times, and it's everything and more that they say about it.Porcupine Mountains Named One of America's 10 Best State ParksContact: Bob Sprague or Sandy Richardson 906-885-5275
Agency: Natural Resources
Dec. 22, 2009Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been named one of the top 10 state parks in the country for the third year in a row, Department of Natural Resources officials announced today.
Park manager Bob Sprague recently received word from America's Best and Top Ten, a Web site that compiles lists of the best travel destinations in the country, that the Porkies had once again made the Top Ten State Parks list. The list is available online at
www.americasbestonline.com/state.htm.
In America's Best and Top Ten's explanation of why the Porkies made the 2009 list, the park is lauded for its wilderness features. According to the Web site, the park was chosen for the following reasons: "Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is over 60,000 acres and is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams make a visit to the "Porkies" a trip to remember. This park was established in 1945. Since then, many changes have taken place in the way we live; however, the Porcupine Mountains are almost unchanged. The remote interior with its towering pine and hemlock seems to defy time, and the solitude of the park is mysterious and exciting."
America's Best and Top Ten owner Dow Scoggins said the top 10 lists are devised after studying travel industry publications and with the input of a panel of travel experts.
"We are thrilled to learn that the park has again been recognized for its unique wilderness attributes," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "Visitors to the Porkies and the other Michigan State Parks are treated not only to pristine natural habitats and extensive recreational opportunities, but to a diverse selection of lodging facilities, interpretive nature programs and ADA-accessible trails and buildings during all four seasons."
The park's features include more than 90 miles of hiking trails, 21 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, stunning vistas from some of the highest points in Michigan, a visitor center, two main campgrounds, nearly 60 backpack campsites, cabins and yurts, a downhill ski area and many miles of cross-country ski trails.
For more information about Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, go online to
www.michigan.gov/porkies or call the park at (906) 885-5275.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-228451--,00.html
