Visit Wilderness

During the ice age, glaciers covered this area, scouring it into rolling hills in the west and dropping to swampland in the east. Many lakes dot the area--six of them larger than five acres. Sugar maples, red maples, yellow birches white and red pine, and hemlock form a dense canopy overhead. Logged at the turn of the century, the area has recovered much of its appearance from the earlier forest. This is a small Wilderness, and outside sounds can sometimes be heard, but the area, now largely recovered from past uses, provides a glimpse of how the northern hardwood forests used to be.

The North Country National Scenic Trail traverses the Wilderness from east to west for approximately eight miles and touches the northern tip of Porcupine Lake. Two other short trails, entering from the northern boundary, connect to the North Country Trail. Black bears are frequently seen; store your food hung off the ground and away from your campsite. Fishing and paddling attract visitors to Porcupine Lake, which is filled with northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill. All of the major streams in this area contain trout. Cross-country skiers enjoy this Wilderness in winter.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Porcupine Lake Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts