Vibrant fall foliage hugs the winding path of the Big Carp River in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
As Michigan’s largest state park and only designated wilderness area, this 60,000-acre tract of protected land in the state’s upper peninsula is one of the last great bastions of unfettered nature in the Midwest. Thanks to its towering old-growth forest of northern hardwoods and hemlock, the annual fall foliage display is one of the most spectacular leaf peeping events in the region.
Changing leaves aren’t the only reason to plan a hiking or camping trip here, though. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Although the park’s most famous residents are the many black bears, there is also deer, wolves, moose, coyotes, foxes, lynx, bobcats, otters, beavers and, of course, porcupines.