ONTONAGON COUNTY, MI – As fall’s color show comes into full bloom, the Porcupine Mountains Visitors Center is staying open later into the season to welcome traveling leaf peepers, officials announced.
Located in the northwestern Upper Peninsula, The Porkies is typically among the first areas to see peak color each fall. While early predictions indicated that would happen the first week of October, a very warm September throughout Michigan held autumn hues at bay.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is still seeing color now, more than a week behind the typical fall schedule.
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“There is still lots of color on the trees and trails are in great condition,” officials said. “Get out and enjoy The Porkies before the snow flies.”
The visitors’ center, 33303 Headquarters Road in Ontonagon, will now stay open through Oct. 27 with daily hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it was scheduled to close for the season on Oct. 15. Visitors are encouraged to stop into the center to check-in, pick up parking information and get camping permits. It also has interpretive programs, an exhibit hall, trail condition information, Wi-Fi, a gift shop and more.
The state park features 60,000 acres of old-growth forest, waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline, rivers, trails and ridges. It’s a popular destination for camping, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing and more. Attractions include Lake of the Clouds, Summit Peak observation tower, Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex, fall chairlift rides, disc golf and more.
