A quick google search for the most beautiful lakes in the world will not indicate Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as one of them. If you scan different lists, the most beautiful lakes in the world consist of Lake Bled, Crater Lake, Plitivice Lake, and others found in places like Banff in Canada or New Zealand.
The beautiful Lake of the Clouds
Lake of the Clouds Photo Essay
If you check out Lake of the Clouds in Michigan during the last week of September or the first couple weeks in October, you will be scratching your head and wondering why it is omitted from these lists. In fact, this lake does not even top the list of most beautiful lake in Michigan. The lake is beautiful at all times of the year, but nestled between mountains bursting with oranges, yellows, and reds it turns otherworldly. If you are a fan of fall foliage than place this park and lake on your list. It may not be the most beautiful lake in the world, but in fall it is a sight to behold.
Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains
Big Carp River flows out of Lake of the Clouds to rendezvous with another beautiful lake – Lake Superior
Another fantastic view
The scenery at the Lake of the Clouds overlook is not bad in the other direction either
Lake of the Clouds from the ground level
The Big Carp River snaking its way into the colorful distance
One more view of this majestic lake amid a fiery background
If you are not a Michigan resident, the entry fee for the Porcupine Mountains is $8.00 a day or $29.00 annual per vehicle. I think one look at this lake is easily worth the price of admission.
For more information, check out the park website.
Adventure on!
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Absolutely stunning! I’m glad you were able to fit in a fall backpacking trip. Keep the photos coming!
At the last moment I decided to head north for a hike in Michigan. It turned out I caught it at peak colors.
Ted,
When is the best time to see the changing colors in Fall? You mention last week of september/first couple weeks of October. In your opinion is this the best time to go?
Milena,
It depends on your latitude. Colors are peaking now in upper Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota. It takes a little longer for fall to take hold in Illinois, Indiana and farther south. Best time in Tennessee is in early November.
Thanks Ted!
We are looking to do a hiking trip at lake in the clouds, MI. So sounds like we should head up there within the next couple of weeks in October to catch the best colors! I am following their Facebook page now, and recent pictures from this week don’t really show much change. So I was wondering if they are having a late season with the unusual warm weather.
Milena recently posted..LuminAID lights the outdoors for adventure travelers
I just looked up an Instagram pic from 2 days ago. It looks about 50% right now. I think either the weekend of the 10th or the 17th would be best. Enjoy.
Lovely photos, Ted. Stunning. I always think of the US when I hear the world autumn – for some reason, leaves seem to fall quicker in europe and we never get this.
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..Photos of the Week – White
Thanks Mrs. O. I have never seen many fall color photos from Europe. I guess that is why.
BEAUTIFUL!! This is my favorite time of year and I go every year to see the Fall foliage here in northern California. This place reminds me of a drive along Hwy 88 here near a place called Red Lake (I have photos of it). Gorgeous colors and can’t wait for the leaves to change here.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..A Costa Rica Travel Guide for budget travelers
Thanks Jeremy. Look forward to your post when the colors change in Folsom.
Wow, gorgeous views!!!! I MUST go hiking this fall. October is so beautiful in the Midwest. And just like what Ana says, leaves tend to fall quicker in Europe. When I first moved to the US, and it was October, I noticed how much longer the foliage was there.
I hope this post inspires you Pola. It has been a beautiful autumn in the Midwest after a brutally hot summer.
Wow! Fall is by far my favorite season and this is exactly why. Although we haven’t had these colors yet, I cannot wait for them. You are definitely convincing me that there’s a lot more of the US I need to see. 🙂
The World Wanderer recently posted..Chobe National Park, Botswana.
I am sure there are a lot of great places to view the fall foliage out in New York.
your posts makes one forget the world is going to hell in a hand basket, such beauty!
It is always nice to leave the chaos behind and hit the woods. I heard nothing about the election and the Middle East for three days. I should have stayed longer.
Now I know Ted and this place looks like a fantastic place to visit. The downside of Calgary is our colour is just about over and leaf raking instead of leaf admiring is now the order of the day.
Leigh recently posted..A Surprisingly Delightful Visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park
The Porcupine Mountains has one of the bests trail systems in the Midwest and the colors are beautiful.
I have been to Crater Lake (I assume you are talking about the one in Tasmania) and I have to say this lake compares very well from the pix you have. I give Crater Lake a plus, though, on the neighboring Cradle Mountain. I’d love to explore this part of Michigan – your posts certainly have shown me how little I knew about the state!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..International Atlanta – A Food Story
Actually, I was referencing the Crater Lake in Oregon, but it does not matter as the point is this lake stakes up with the best in my opinion during the fall.
Michigan has some of the best outdoor parks and forests in the area. Sleeping Bear, Isle Royal, and the Porcupine Mountains are the best outdoor destinations around.
I experienced Fall foliage for the first time last year, and it blew my mind. Having lived in Florida all my life, I miss out on this beautiful transition of seasons. Awesome photos as always by the way…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..A Day Trip From Napa To Sonoma County
There are pros and cons to living in Florida. Mostly pros, but the lack of four seasons is one con. With every place you need to take the bad with the good.
ahhhh we love autumn. love love love.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
Autumn gets a big thumbs up from me too.
Beautiful pictures of the Fall foilage Ted. Gotta love this time of year in Michigan and the Midwest. Gotta roam around the mitten more in the weeks ahead. 🙂
Aaron recently posted..San Francisco: The Grove Chestnut’s Breakfast.
Yep, Michigan is beautiful at anytime of the year, but especially now.
Fall is easily my favorite time of the year, and your photos are a great visual as why that’s the case. Those trees are perfection. Well done, Ted.
Leah Travels recently posted..Revealed: The Italian Itinerary
Thanks Leah! Fall is a great time of the year for reasons other than College Football although CFB is a big piece of the charm of the season.
WOW! stunning photos, Ted. i cannot believe summer has gone. usually i’m ready for fall but this year not so much. these pictures inspire me…thank you for sharing.
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I am looking forward to winter and skiing myself. I love fall, but I really love winter.
Such stunning pictures! Yet another reason why fall is our favorite season.
Fall does rock!
another reason to visit Michigan… fall colors. I think there are many places left off the list… and this lake seems to be one of them indeed.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Fall Foliage – Glimmerglass State Park in New York’s Catskills
It goes to show that you do not have to always pack up and get on a plane for 10 hours to see incredible beauty.
Ted, these tales of the Porkies are fantastic. I have never been there, but it is now at the top of my wish list. Thanks so much! ~Stephen
Stephen,
I think the Porcupine Mountains has the best backpacking within 8 hours of Chicago. I highly recommend it especially in the fall.
Amazing colors Ted! I love foliage and this lake certainly delivers.
John recently posted..Strolling the Malecon in La Paz, Mexico
Yep John, it is hard to beat beautiful colors surrounding a mountain lake.