Want to try backpacking but don’t know where to start? Our overnight tours emphasize learning and skill building. Tour price includes breakfast and dinners, camping permits, shuttle, logistics planning, and gear.
Starting with a 2-hr live virtual class on backpacking fundamentals prior to the trip, we go over everything you need to know to get you prepared, including safety principles, gear selection, meal planning, how to train for a backpacking trip, and so much more.
During the tour you will learn how to filter water out of lakes and streams, boil water for meals, set-up camp, and learn to navigate using a compass and map. The goal of our trips is to ensure our guests learn the skills to go backpacking on their own someday.
Intro and intermediate trips available at the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for varying skill levels and distances.
Hiawatha Hiking Co. selects hiking routes, reserves campsites and permits, and arranges transportation.
Lightweight backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags/pads are available to rent and are included in tour price. We will schedule a Skype/phone session to go over gear selection to ensure everyone is prepared for our overnight trips.
The sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks and its surrounding forests are natural wonders. Relax on a sand filled beach, listen to waterfowl, or just sit around a campfire and gaze at the stars.
Hiawatha Hiking Company is owned and operated by Carolyn and Domonick Zanarini. Combined, we have over 12,000 miles of backpacking wilderness experience spanning over 10 years.
Our primary goal is to lead safe trips and preserve our forests. Tours are led by a certified Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace (™) principles are followed.
If you are new to hiking or backpacking we want to share our knowledge and experience with you. Friendly, local guides provide a relaxed, fun environment. Make new friends and learn about local history and geology.
Bulldog Falls/ West Branch Yellow Dog Falls – McCormick Wilderness The majestic and quiet McCormick Wilderness Area in the Ottawa National Forest is one of those places you need to put in a little extra work to reap its rewards. Situated an hours drive North West of Marquette, this hike takes you into the North East quadrant of the McCormick which is home to two very special waterfalls, the West Branch of the Yellow Dog Falls and Bulldog Falls. You…
Little Garlic River and Falls – Marquette Area The Little Garlic River is a fantastic hike that takes you along the banks of a spectacular river under the canopy of beautiful pine forest. The route along the river follows the North Country National Scenic Trail west and meanders both along the river and ascends to several higher outcroppings giving views of sandstone bedrock and the river valley. At the turnaround point, hikers are rewarded with a small but picturesque cascading…
Want to experience Pictured Rocks without the commitment of an overnight trip? Our Sunset Hike is the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful sandstone cliffs and learn about their geology and the history of the park. Availabilities for our 2021 sunset hikes are now available to reserve. We will be offering this tour most Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer, starting at the beginning of June. Please visit our Sunset Hike page for more information and for booking. We…
Happy New Year! We are excited to announce that our 2021 Backpacking Tours at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are now available for booking! Our sunset hike reservations are also available. . Intro to Backpacking Tour 2-nights, 3-days in the backcountry covering 27 miles August 20th – 23rd (Summer Fun) 2 spots left September 3rd – 6th (Labor Day Weekend) Full October 1st – 4th (Fall Color Tour) Full Intermediate Tour 3-nights, 4-days in the backcountry covering 42 miles (the entire…
Echo Lake Nature Preserve – Marquette Area This 480 acre natural area is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette. Featured at the preserve are impressive exposed granite rocks that sit above a majestic 70-ft deep lake. Impressive views from the top of an overlook trail give sightlines to Lake Superior, Little Presque Isle and the peaks of Hogsback and Sugarloaf mountains. It’s a wonderful place to spend a quiet morning or afternoon. Trail Length: 2.5 miles out and back…
Thank You We had an amazing second season at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! We are so thankful for all of the amazing people we met this year. Our guests came from all over the United States, some avid hikers, some who had never been hiking before. Each hike was unique and we enjoyed meeting about 100 people who shared their stories, made us laugh, and spent part of their journey with us. Getting people outside is our passion and we…
Background We decided to take a week off and go backpacking on the North Country Trail (NCT) in the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan from September 14-19, 2020. We have spent a lot of time on the Lakeshore Trail, which overlaps 42 miles of the NCT. The Lakeshore Trail traverses the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where we have been running this year’s sunset hikes and 2-night backpacking trips. We wanted to explore other parts of the NCT, which is 4,600…
Background/Logistics The week of June 22nd, 2020, we decided to do some overnight backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains (aka Porkies). Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is about three hours west of our home in Au Train, Michigan. At 60,000 acres, it is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Midwest. Domonick and I visited in the winter and yurt camped. We knew we wanted to visit again without snow pants! Reservations are required for backcountry campsites May 15 to…
Rental Gear Rental gear is included in the price of all of our overnight backpacking tours. We have selected gear that is lightweight, comfortable, durable and functional from brands we know and trust and have personal experience with. Below are descriptions and specifications of the backpacks, tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags that are available to use on our tours. Renting is a great way to try before you buy to explore what you may like (or dislike) before making…
We thought we would share an oatmeal recipe we like to use for trail breakfasts. It is easy, delicious, healthful, and filling. This recipe is super versatile, as you can add or delete ingredients and play with proportions. We hope you enjoy! Trail Oatmeal Combine the following (When testing it out at home, feel free to put into a bowl. If bringing on the trail, we use “snack size” ziplock bags): 1/2 cup quick oats 1/2 tbsp chia seeds 1/2…
