This Remote Part Of Michigan Offers Camping & Lodging With Incredible Lake Superior Views

When thinking about Michigan, it's easy to forget about the Upper Peninsula. There's a lot happening on "The Mitten" with the capital city of Lansing, the massive and rival universities Michigan State and the University of Michigan, beach towns like Traverse City that receive national recognition, and, of course, the largest city of Detroit. The Upper Peninsula flies under the radar because it's so sparsely populated. It accounts for 30% of the land area of Michigan but has only 3% of the population. So those who hail from small forgotten towns that get pummeled with snow for six months out of the year, aka Yoopers (as they're known), tend to be proud of their northern peninsula.

National park enthusiasts will know of the Upper Peninsula because of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or maybe Isle Royale National Park, way out in the middle of Lake Superior. It's a remote, vast area with hour drives between small villages that were usually built around long-closed mines. One of those tiny hamlets is Silver City, Michigan, named after a four-year mining rush in the 1870s.

These days, Silver City is known for being next door to the entrance of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. It's Michigan's largest at 60,000 acres, and is a peaceful, remote escape no matter the season. With its rolling hills, hidden waterfalls, and ancient forest stretching all the way to the stunning Lake Superior shoreline, it offers the perfect blend of solitude, adventure, and natural beauty. Whether you're taking a quick stroll to a panoramic lookout over a river valley or venturing deep into the wilderness along 90 miles of hiking trails, it's an ideal destination for a quiet retreat any time of year. And Silver City is the gateway.

A visit to Silver City is all about day trip adventures to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park — one of the 50 most underrated parks in America. The "Porkies" are a year-round natural playground. Spring brings rushing waterfalls and quiet trails lined with budding trees and blooming wildflowers. Hike favorites like Presque Isle Falls Loop (1.3 miles) or the Trap Falls Trail (4 miles), where all the melting Upper Peninsula snowfall creates powerful cascades — be sure to wear layers for unpredictable weather.

Summer is peak season for exploring, including the iconic Lake of the Clouds overlook — a must-see panoramic view above a forested river valley. The Escarpment Trail (8 miles) offers dramatic ridgeline hiking, while the Union Mine Trail (1 mile) is an easier route featuring placards with journal entries from an 1850s miner. The water in Lake Superior stays pretty cold — even in summer — but there's nothing better than cooling off with a swim after a long hike. A beach picnic as the sun sets over the water is also living the summer dream. In fall, the forests explode with color, and the crisp air and vibrant foliage make for unforgettable hikes — and fall is the perfect time to go on your next camping adventure.

Winter transforms the park into a snowy wonderland, with snowshoe or cross-country ski opportunities along groomed trails. The fresh powder muffles sound, creating a profound silence as you follow the echo of trickling frozen waterfalls. You could also do some downhill skiing at the park's ski area. No matter the season, Silver City is a peaceful launching point for discovering one of Michigan's wildest and most beautiful landscapes, with Lake Superior as the grounding base to it all.

Places like this rugged and gorgeous nook in the Upper Midwest demand effort to reach. Silver City is a bit of a road trip from Minneapolis (5 hours), which has the best mega airport in the U.S. if you're flying. Alternatively, you might drive from Green Bay (4 hours) or Chicago (7 hours). And don't let the name fool you — Silver City is definitely not a city. It's a tiny village, but being at the door of Michigan's largest state park means there's tourism and plenty of accommodation options in Silver City or close by.

The AmericInn by Wyndham Silver City is a cozy hotel right on the water, offering modern amenities and lake view rooms with unbeatable Lake Superior sunsets. The Mountain View Lodges have cabin rentals tucked between the foothills and the Lake Superior shore. And just down the road, Superior Shores Resort features rustic-modern cabins with direct beach access — ideal for longer stays or group getaways. Within the park itself, there are campgrounds like Union River's Big Bear or Union Bay Campgrounds, the latter offers epic lakeside sites. There are also backcountry camp sites scattered throughout the park for a more rugged experience. Those can be booked online — and should be reserved early — and campers need to register at the visitor center. 

Important note: if disconnecting from the world for a few days of day hikes and sleeping in a lakeside cabin, it might be wise to bring supplies or purchase them beforehand in a nearby town like Ontonagon, as Silver City doesn't have a supermarket. You can grab a few things from the quirky Wilderness Adventure & Supplies or a burger and hoodie from the Porkies Outpost but more essentials need to bought nearby.