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

  • Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan

    Backpack Windigo to South Lake Desor, Isle Royale NP

    11.3 mi / 1400 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • Oscoda Township, Michigan

    Hike Lumberman’s Monument

    5.0
    5.6 mi
    Lumberman’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...
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  • Munising, Michigan

    Grand Island Loop

    3.0
    20.63 mi / 1309 ft gain
    Located 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...
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  • Ontonagon, Michigan

    Backpack the Little Carp River Trail in the Porkies

    4.0
    15.3 mi / -720 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Leland, Michigan

    North Manitou Island Loop

    4.5
    13.55 mi / 1010 ft gain
    North Manitou Island Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Maple City, Michigan.
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  • Headquarters Road, Michigan

    Snowshoe to the Lost Creek Yurt in the Porkies

    13.6 mi / 610 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Ontonagon, Michigan

    Backpack the Union Spring and Lost Lake Trails in the Porkies

    8.1 mi / 600 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Houghton Township, Michigan

    Isle Royale 'Eastern Half' Loop

    43.6 mi / 4582.68 ft gain
    This 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...
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