Michigan's Crystal-Clear Lake Is In A Secluded State Park With Cabins, Trails, And Backcountry Camping

Michigan's Upper Peninsula might just be the best place to truly get away from it all. Though the northernmost part of the Great Lakes State takes up nearly one-third of its land, the area is home to less than 3% of the population, according to Michigan State University. That being said, it's not surprising that Michigan's biggest state park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, is located here. Tucked inside this verdant swath of forest is Mirror Lake, a pristine body of water surrounded by cabins, campsites, and trails.

Mirror Lake is located deep within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The roughly 83-square-acre lake sits more than 1,500 feet above sea level, which makes it the highest lake in the whole state park. When you reach the lake, you'll find calm, clear water that does, indeed, live up to its reflective name. Don't be surprised if you see fishermen trying to catch bass and brook trout, as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocks Mirror Lake.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a massive state park on Lake Superior's shores. The land, affectionately called the "Porkies," was named by the Ojibwa people, who thought the hills had the same shape as these large rodents. In 1945, 60,000 acres, including a 35,000-acre old-growth forest, were declared a Michigan State Park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which was also labeled a National Natural Landmark in 1984 by the United States government, is now an all-season destination.

There are no roads leading to Mirror Lake, so hiking trails are the only ways to access it. The shortest route is the South Mirror Lake Trail. This 3-mile trail starts on Summit Peak Road, the location of the closest parking lot, and winds north toward the lake's southwestern corner. From this trail, you can also take a short detour to Summit Peak, the highest mountain, at 1,958 feet, in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Summit Peak Observation Tower, a 50-foot wooden structure with tower binoculars at the top, provides an incredible view over the mountains and out to Lake Superior.

The other popular route to Mirror Lake, the North Mirror Lake Trail, approaches from the opposite direction. This 3.8-mile trail starts near another gorgeous lake. Lake of the Clouds, which is surrounded by some of the state park's old-growth forest, has its own large parking lot and scenic overlook. From this lake, you'll head south and meet the Government Peak Trail, which travels west from Trap Falls along the Carp River Inlet, before hiking up to Mirror Lake.

For an even longer hike, you can access Mirror Lake from the Big Carp River Trail and the Correction Line Trail. This 11-mile loop trail tracks the Big Carp River southwest from Lake of the Clouds before veering east to ascend to Mirror Lake. From the lake, you'll eventually head north, instead of south, on the North Mirror Lake Trail, to return to the starting point.

On Mirror Lake's northern shore, you'll find three rustic cabins, which sleep two to eight people. Though they don't have electricity or water, they do have wood-burning stoves, bunk beds, cooking gear, and outdoor vault toilets. In addition to the cabins, there are also seven backcountry campsites scattered around the lake's north and south shores. You'll need to be prepared to carry a bear bag and dig a hole for the bathroom at these primitive campsites.

As with all the state parks in Michigan, you'll need a Recreation Passport to visit Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Michigan residents must purchase an annual pass, while non-residents can buy an annual or daily pass. There's an additional nightly fee to stay at one of the cabins or campsites.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park isn't an easy destination to reach. The closest airport, Gogebic–Iron County Airport (IWD), is about an hour away. You can only fly to the small airport from Chicago and Minneapolis. You can also access the state park on a road trip. The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a 1,300-mile road that moves through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada, as it circles the largest of the Great Lakes. Along the portion of the drive in Michigan, you'll find waterfalls, scenic hikes, and crystal-clear waters to swim in. During your visit to this remote area, you also shouldn't miss Lake Gogebic, Michigan's dazzling lake hidden amid the Upper Peninsula's forests.