Crater Lake is considered one of America’s most spectacular natural wonders. Formed by the collapse of a 12,000-foot volcano, it’s truly epic in every sense of the word. Yet you don’t need to travel far from Michigan to discover a place that’s every bit as magical. Today, we’re heading into the Porcupine Mountains to uncover one of the state’s most spectacular destinations: Lake of the Clouds in the Upper Peninsula. And it’s every bit as dreamy as its name implies!

Welcome to the positively pristine Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Boasting 60,000 acres, this park is as vast as it is lovely.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies / Facebook
If you're not familiar with Michigan's diverse landscape, you may be surprised to learn that there are any mountains at all in this part of the country.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies / Facebook
These ancient mountains seem to emerge abruptly from Lake Superior, a truly unexpected natural wonder. Yet it's estimated that they are approximately two billion years old.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies / Facebook

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The Porkies, as these mountains are nicknamed, make for a dazzling day trip destination in the summer, fall, and spring. It's here that you'll find some of the oldest hardwood forests in the U.S.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies / Facebook
And while every acre of this state park is lovely, there's one crown jewel that stands apart from the rest. Known as Lake of the Clouds, this stunning feature can be reached via a fully-accessible overlook.
omun323 / Getty Images
Two other trails that will lead you to Lake of the Clouds include Big Carp River Trail and the Escarpment Trail.
Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains in Fall Color, Upper Michigan Peninsula.
Matt Anderson Photography / Getty Images
The stunning 133-acre lake resides at an elevation of 1,076 feet above sea level. As you can see from these photographs, it's one of the most scenic places in the entire state!
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies / Facebook

Have you ever experienced Lake of the Clouds in person? What did you think of this magical destination in Michigan? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! For more information, including maps and reservation details, be sure to check out the official Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park website.

Take a look at what makes Lake of the Clouds so enchanting when you watch the beautiful drone footage below:

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Lake of the Clouds, Carp Lake Township, MI 49953, USA