Complete Porcupine Mountains Elopement Guide: How to Elope in the Porcupine Mountains

If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by untouched wilderness, breathtaking views, and the magic of the great outdoors, the Porcupine Mountains might just be the perfect place. This hidden gem offers rugged cliffs, serene waterfalls, and sweeping forested vistas that are beautiful in every season! Whether you’re exchanging vows on the shores of Lake Superior, beneath a canopy of towering pines, or atop a scenic overlook with miles of wild beauty stretching before you, the Porcupine Mountains are an unforgettable destination. If you’re planning a Porcupine Mountains elopement or are considering learning to plan an elopement there, I made this Porcupine Mountains elopement guide with you in mind! I’ve pulled together every bit of information to show you the ins & outs of planning an elopement in the Porcupine Mountains.

Why Should I Elope in the Porcupine Mountains?

The Porcupine Mountains are one of the most breathtaking and well-known destinations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! With such a diverse landscape, it’s an incredible place to elope. From stunning overlooks to secluded forest trails, the variety of locations, activities, and scenery means you can truly make your experience whatever you want to—because that’s what eloping is all about! Because it’s so far northwest into Michigan, the terrain here is also amazing. Rocky shorelines, rivers, waterfalls, mountain overlooks, it has so much to explore!

Whether you’re up for an adventurous 10-mile hike or prefer a scenic spot just steps from your car, the Porcupine Mountains offer options for every kind of couple. No matter your style, there are endless opportunities to explore, celebrate, and create an elopement experience that feels completely and authentically you!

Best Spots to Elope in the Porcupine Mountains

Just from a swift glance at photos online, it’s easy to see how many spots there are to explore within the mountains. It can definitely make it a little challenging to narrow down!! I gathered up a few of my favorites for this Porcupine Mountains elopement guide. I included some details on each location, so you could get an idea about what the locations entail and some accessibility information. Hopefully some of these spots inspire you and get some ieas flowing on what your ideas Porcupine Mountains elopement could be like!

Union Bay

This beach is not your typical sandy beach. It’s a beautiful, slanted, rocky shoreline surrounded by towering pines. The rocks here jut out of Lake Superior beautifully. And, it’s super easy to access which is a huge plus! It would be an amazing spot to explore together, or have as one location to visit if you wanted to visit more than one spot!

Waterfalls

I couldn’t even narrow down to pick just one to post here! There are dozens of waterfalls within the park, of varying sizes and accessibilities. But so many of the waterfalls, including the one above, are fairly accessible with a short hike, and the views are well worth it!

Lake of the Clouds

Arguably one of the most iconic and scenic areas within the Porcupine Mountains, this spot provides a beautiful overlook of Mirror Lake, surrounded by the rolling hills and mountains. It’s a very popular spot, both due to the view and its easy access. There’s a parking lot and a paved path you can walk up to this location, which makes it popular for tourists and a great option for small wedding gatherings (at the right time of day)!

Presque Isle Trail

This trail is not too long, and covers so many of the beautiful locations the Porkies have to offer. You follow along a river, which leads you past waterfalls, rock formations, and through beautiful forests. It also leads you to a beautiful opening along Lake Superior, which in my opinion gives major west-coast vibes! This trail has so much versatility all in one hike.

When to Elope in the Porcupine Mountains

The Porcupine Mountains have something to experience in every season, even the chilly ones! I’m going to give a brief description of what you could expect in each season, so you can see what would fit best with your vision and your ideal experience!

Spring

Spring is one of the best times to plan your elopement in the Porcupine Mountains! This is the season when waterfalls are all flowing at their best, due to all of the snowmelt. And because waterfalls are such a big draw to the Porkies, it’s one of the best times to visit. Because it is also likely still a little chilly, there will be less visitors there than during peak summer time so you will have a little more privacy! Some of the more popular locations and trails will be much less crowded, which is a bonus. The weather should be fairly mild, with a little coolness for sure but not as cold as winter nor as hot as summer. You also won’t have to worry quite so much about bugs and black flies, which typically don’t come into play until June!

Summer

Even with the weather being a little warmer, summer is still an amazing time to plan your elopement! If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind a little sun (pack your sunscreen!!), or wants to incorporate some fun water activities like swimming in a waterfall, paddleboarding, summer is your perfect time. Keep in mind that due to it being summer vacation for a lot of families! So you will be seeing large crowds in the more popular areas. Weekdays would be your best bet if you were hoping for locations such as the Lake of the Clouds overlook! You’ll also need to make sure you pack bug spray, lots of water, and wear plenty of sunscreen.

Fall

The Porcupine Mountains are famous for their view of the fall colors, so it’s truly one of the best places to experience fall in Michigan. The view of the fall colors from Lake of the Clouds is absolutely unreal, especially at peak colors! Because of the colors, tourism is still going strong as people come from all over to visit, but if you’re down to go out early in the morning, visit less busy areas, or choosing a weekday then you should still be able to get some privacy! Fall is when the temperatures start to drop so I always recommend bringing some sort of jacket, blanket, hat, earmuffs, or gloves to keep you cozy.

Winter

Like most state parks, some of the roads into the park aren’t plowed over the winter, so access to some areas is limited. However, don’t let this discourage you! One of the best parts about the Porcupine Mountains in the winter is all of the winter activities!! You could plan on doing some snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sledding, or fat tire biking! And of course, one of the the activities the area is known best for – SKIING. There are multiple ski hills in the area, which are known for getting tons of snow and their beautiful views. So if you’re considering a skiing elopement, this could be a really fun spot to explore!

Activities to Incorporate

Eloping gives you the freedom to design your wedding day exactly how you want! If you’re craving a little adventure, go for it! While hiking to some of the stunning locations mentioned above is always an option, there are plenty of other ways to make your day unforgettable. I truly believe your wedding should be one of the best days of your life, so don’t be afraid to have fun and make it uniquely yours!!

• Plan a Picnic
• Get ready together over coffee
• Visit to multiple locations
• Take a swim in Lake Superior
• Visit Waterfalls
• Go paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing
• Pop champagne
• Hang out in a hammock
• Ride up a local chair lift and see some beautiful views
• Go for a bike ride
• Get a campsite and have a bonfire
• Cozy up for some steamy hot tub photos
• Stay up late and take photos under the stars

Where to Stay

Porcupine Mountains is an expansive area, with a variety of options for you to choose as accommodations depending on what you’re interested in! There are hotels in the area as well as rental homes, state park cabins for rent, and of course camping – both rustic and non-rustic!

Local Inn & Cabins

Scott’s Superior Inn & Cabins – This is one of my favorite places to recommend in the area!! They have basic hotel accommodations at their main area, which is super convenient. But they also rent out cabins, which is my favorite part! They cabins they rent out are so cute and can host a variety of different group sizes. All of the rooms are also super cute and updated as well, which is a big bonus!

Rustic DNR Cabins – There are multiple cabins located throughout the park available for rent. Each sleeps anywhere from 2-8 people, and have beds, stove, and a fireplace!

Drive-In Campgrounds

Union Bay Campground – the park’s only modern campground, with bathrooms, a boat launch, and electrical service!

Backpacking Access Campgrounds

If you’re interested in backpacking and camping along the way, a backcountry camping permit is required for all overnight stays. There is no dispersed camping allowed. If you’re interested in backpacking, I recommend looking at the DNR’s website on how to register for a backcountry camping permit here!

Porcupine Mountain Area Rental Properties

If camping isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are tons of places to stay all around the Pictured Rocks area. Pictured Rocks is located right outside downtown Munising, which is a very small, cute tourist trap town with some cute local joints and spots to visit. It’s also not far from other areas, such as Marquette, Grand Marais, and Manistique – which are all about an hour away!

If you’re hoping to stay somewhere more local to Pictured Rocks, I’ve pulled together some rental homes that would be perfect to stay at for your elopement!

LAKE SUPERIOR BEACH HOUSE

STYLISH SUMMER COTTAGE

DRIFTWOOD CABIN

private beach cabin

LAKESIDE LOOKOUT HOME

Permit Information

Some state parks require a permit to hold a gathering, so it’s always best to check with the park to see if you would need to acquire one! To inquire about getting a permit, you can call the park’s office at (906) 885-5275.

Can I Bring My Pet?

If you’re hoping to bring your pet, this could be a fantastic spot for you! From my research, most locations and trails are pet friendly. Of course it’s always good to double check! But there are pet friendly campgrounds, trails, lodging, and shorelines all throughout the park! They require pets to be on a 6ft leash at all times, and of course please remember to pack poop bags to clean up after your furry family members. 🙂

Other Tips

• Be prepared for no cell service, so make sure you coordinate times and destinations ahead of time! And pack satellite phones if you will need to get in touch with others!
• Pack plenty of water, bug spray, sunscreen, and snacks if you are hiking.
• The only bathrooms available are vault toilets, and they are not in every area. If you think you’ll need to go, be prepared!
• Leave No Trace Principles are enforced throughout the park. We respect Mama Earth! Learn more here.
• Wear trail-appropriate shoes. Some trails can be uneven, it’s not worth breaking an ankle to wear heels!
• A state of Michigan Recreation Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park. Learn more here!

Porcupine Mountains Elopement Photographer

You’ve officially got all of the tools you need to plan your Pictured Rocks Elopement! Now all you need is a Pictured Rocks Elopement Photographer to capture every moment. I work with you to create an experience focusing on authenticity and intention, where we get photos that capture the heart of your story. So if that sounds like you, get in touch with me! I’d be so excited to help guide you to creating a 100% unique elopement experience. Whatever your vision may look like, or if you need help figuring it out, I’m here to help make it happen! Get in touch with me and let’s get started!