Michigan
Looking for the best backpacking in Michigan? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Michigan. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Michigan
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Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan
Backpack Windigo to South Lake Desor, Isle Royale NP
11.3 mi / 1400 ft gainThis guide assumes that hikers have already made their journey by either float plane or charter ship to the Windigo Port on the West end of the island of Isle Royale National Park.As mentioned above, this section hike of the Greenstone Ridge Trail partitions off one of the NUMEROUS options one ca...Read more -
Oscoda Township, Michigan
Hike Lumberman’s Monument
5.05.6 miLumberman’s Monument is truly a hidden gem. Most people don’t realize there are towering sand dunes in the Oscoda area. While the majority of visitors stay at the overlook, there is a breathtaking trail for the more adventurous. The main parking for this trail is at the Lumberman’s Monument parki...Read more -
Munising, Michigan
Grand Island Loop
3.020.63 mi / 1309 ft gainLocated in Munising, MI, Grand Island National Recreation Area is a part of the Hiawatha National Forest. While this section of the Upper Peninsula is known for Pictured Rocks National Park, many people fail to see or check out Grand Island. Secluded by ferry access, the island features 12 backpa...Read more -
Ontonagon, Michigan
Backpack the Little Carp River Trail in the Porkies
4.015.3 mi / -720 ft gainThe Little Carp River Trailhead is located in the center of the Porcupine Mountain State Park, about 16 miles west of the park headquarters on S. Boundary Road. At the start of the trailhead, hikers can see Overlooked Falls. About a mile in one the trail, Greenstone Falls can be seen past both th...Read more -
Leland, Michigan
North Manitou Island Loop
4.513.55 mi / 1010 ft gainNorth Manitou Island Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Maple City, Michigan.Read more -
Headquarters Road, Michigan
Snowshoe to the Lost Creek Yurt in the Porkies
13.6 mi / 610 ft gainThe Porcupine Mountains offer a lot of fantastic winter options including cabin and yurt rentals for winter excursions. The most remote trek available in the park is towards the Lost Creek Yurt, a 6.8 miles route that is 2.8 miles on cross country ski trail, and 4 miles on a flagged route into th...Read more -
Ontonagon, Michigan
Backpack the Union Spring and Lost Lake Trails in the Porkies
8.1 mi / 600 ft gainThe hike begins at the Union Spring trailhead, roughly two miles south of the Park Headquarters on Boundary Road. This area of the park is also the winter cross country and snowshoeing section of the park, so many of the trails are marked for winter travel. To make sure you stay on the summer rou...Read more -
Houghton Township, Michigan
Isle Royale 'Eastern Half' Loop
43.6 mi / 4582.68 ft gainThis was our first trip to Isle Royale, and we planned out this specific loop based on our previous hiking experiences, as well as to try and see a lot of different areas of the island in the limited time frame we had. The weather was fantastic except for 1-2 nights of a little rain, and not much...Read more