Trails / Michigan / Western Upper Peninsula

Porcupine Mountains Big Carp River and Lake Superior Trail Loop

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (M-107 and Lake of the Clouds)

This loop in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park pairs a stretch of Lake Superior shoreline with the Big Carp River valley and the escarpment above Lake of the Clouds. Backpacker described it in 2017 as an 18.6-mile overnight from the Lake Superior Trail trailhead on M-107, with camp near Shining Cloud Falls at about mile 10.

The park requires reserved, numbered campsites, so pick your site before you go.

The hike

Backpacker’s route starts on the Lake Superior Trail, dropping 2.4 miles from M-107 to the shore, then heading west along the lake 6.1 miles to the mouth of the Big Carp River. Michigan TrailMaps lists three cabins at the river mouth: the Big Carp River six-bunk and four-bunk cabins and the Lake Superior cabin.

From the mouth, the route turns south up the Big Carp River Trail, reaching Shining Cloud Falls in about 1.5 miles (Backpacker). Michigan TrailMaps gives the falls a 35-foot drop, and CopperCountry.com calls it the park’s highest waterfall. Michigan TrailMaps also mentions Bathtub Falls and stands of hemlock along the river.

The rest of the Big Carp River Trail climbs back toward the escarpment. Going the other way from the Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Michigan TrailMaps puts a cliff viewpoint and campsites at mile 1.5, the river at mile 5, a ford of the Big Carp River near mile 5, the Correction Line Trail junction at 5.3, and Shining Cloud Falls at 8.2. CopperCountry.com says the first two miles run along the escarpment with many views, then the trail drops into the valley below Miscowabic Peak and passes the old Lafayette Mine. Michigan TrailMaps puts the escarpment bluff at about 400 feet.

Backpacker’s loop ends at the Lake of the Clouds Overlook on M-107, followed by a 1.1-mile walk on the paved road back to the car.

The Outbound’s writer hiked a variation in two days, starting at Lake of the Clouds and ending at Presque Isle, after muddy conditions changed his plans. He made four river crossings, one on foot and three on logs, and found many downed trees and wet brush after storms.

For the full shoreline traverse, see the Lake Superior Trail.

Tips

• Carry water from M-107. The Outbound found about 5 dry miles below the overlook.
• Plan for the ford near mile 5 of the Big Carp River Trail.
• Reserve a site near the falls early.
• Leave time for the road walk at the end.
• Expect mud after rain.

Camping

The DNR requires campers to stay at designated, numbered backcountry sites; dispersed camping ended in 2018. Reserve up to six months ahead and up to 72 hours before arrival at MiDNRReservations.com or 1-800-44PARKS, then check in at the Porcupine Mountains Visitor Center or, Oct. 15 to May 14, park headquarters. Groups are limited to six. Every site has a metal fire ring, and the DNR says most have bear poles. The DNR park map labels Big Carp River Trail sites BC-1 through BC-8 and Lake Superior Trail sites LS-1 through LS-19. The three cabins at the Big Carp mouth are reserved separately.

Inside Intel: The Outbound’s writer camped at BC#7, beside Shining Cloud Falls, and wrote, “The place was magnificent.” Backpacker’s 2017 writer also camped in the hemlocks near the falls.

Trail facts

• Distance: 18.6 miles including a 1.1-mile road walk (Backpacker)
• Route type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
• Campsites: BC and LS sites by reservation; cabins at the Big Carp mouth
• Water: Lake Superior and the Big Carp River; none at the overlook
• Crossings: Big Carp River ford near mile 5 of the Big Carp River Trail
• Permits: Reservation plus in-person check-in
• Food storage: Bear poles at most sites
• Last verified: October 8, 2026

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

• Michigan DNR: Porcupine Mountains backcountry camping registration
• Michigan DNR: Backcountry camping changes at Porcupine Mountains (2018)
• Michigan DNR: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park map (PDF)
• Michigan DNR: Most backcountry cabins and campsites reopened (2016)
• Backpacker: Porcupine Mountains State Park (2017)
• Michigan TrailMaps: Big Carp River Trail
• CopperCountry.com: Porcupine Mountain Trails
• The Outbound: Backpack the Big Carp River and Lake Superior Trails

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.