Packing Your Backpacking Pack

Essentials for a backpacking weekend in Michigan

By Ren Brabenec | June 21, 2025

Humans have grown accustomed to the comforts of home. As much as we romanticize “roughing it” and “living off the land,” getting away from civilization and going back to where the wild things are can get a little hairy (sometimes literally).

But according to Frankfort’s Elaine Newbold, co-owner of Crystal Lake Adventure Sports since 1995, there is an almost direct cause-and-effect relationship between how well one prepares for their trip in their gear choices and how much fun they’ll have.

“There is no bad weather, only a lack of proper equipment or poorly chosen gear,” Newbold says, reciting common parlance in the backpacking community.

Backpacking Below the Bridge

She’s not wrong. When you’re heading out into the wilderness for a weekend of backpacking, what you choose to bring can lead to either a euphoric prance through the woods or a miserable, unending slog. Newbold gave us her list of what backpackers need to achieve the former.

A backpacking pack. (Of course.) According to Newbold, adventurers should select a pack based on their height, weight, and how long they’ll be in the wilderness. The bigger the person and the longer the excursion, the larger the pack.

A good tent. Crystal Lake Adventure Sports sells popular Mountain Hardware and Marmot brand tents that are lightweight and easy to set up. Two-person and three-person options are available.

A *warm* sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are rated for different temperatures, and Newbold offers a variety of styles and temperature ratings. When in doubt, Newbold says opt for a bag that’s rated for colder temps rather than spending the night shivering. (It is northern Michigan, after all).

A comfortable sleeping pad. “Get an ‘EXped’ sleeping pad,” Newbold says, noting the importance of a good sleeping pad for sleeping comfortably on the ground.

Appropriate clothing. “Leave the lounge clothes at home,” Newbold jokes. She emphasizes the use of extra layers, wool clothing, Darn Tough-brand socks, and clothing with moisture-wicking fabrics. And don’t forget about rain gear! Newbold recommends brands such as Patagonia, Rob, Marmot, Kuhl, and Mountain Hardware.

Food, water, and footwear. When packing for a backpacking weekend, Newbold reminds us to bring the things that we already know we’d be uncomfortable without. That includes plenty of food, more water than we think we’ll need (Crystal Lake Adventure Sports sells Hydro Flasks for this purpose), and quality hiking boots that are properly broken in.

Adventures North of the Bridge

While there’s plenty of backpacking and rustic camping to be found in our neck of the woods, the camping world is truly your oyster in the U.P.

In 2016, Ken and Wilda Hopper opened Bird’s Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste. Marie to inspire locals and visitors to get active, eat healthy, and spend time outdoors. The eastern Upper Peninsula rarely gets the attention the central and western U.P. does, but according to the Hoppers, the east side has some real gems a folks can drive right by without realizing what they missed.

The Hoppers recommend adventurers visit Mission Hill Cemetery Scenic Overlook, a viewpoint looking out over Lake Superior. The overlook has a four-mile loop trail option, and if that’s not enough, hardy souls can backpack through a series of ORV trails up to Mission Hill, the tallest point in the region. The Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway is also a must-visit, as there is a 7.5-mile section of the North Country Trail that follows Lake Superior.

For “rest” days when folks want to leave the heavy backpacks at home or for “primer” days when you want to warm up for a backpacking weekend, the Hoppers prefer Sault Ste. Marie’s Voyageur Island, Rotary Park, and the Ashmun Creek Natural Area.

And when you’re ready to fill up that pack, Bird’s Eye is truly a one-stop shop. It’s a deeply knowledgeable camping and backpacking outfitter, but it’s also a bar, coffee shop, WiFi lounge, restaurant, and retail hub for clothing, water sports, skiing, hiking, and cycling.

Throughout the year, Bird’s Eye hosts guided tours for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, hiking, and, of course, backpacking. The Hoppers also manage a nonprofit called Outdoor Use of Trails Consortium, or, playfully, the “O.U.T. House” Consortium. It’s a 501(c)(3) dedicated to establishing non-motorized recreational trails in the area.

“We wanted to make it simpler for locals and visitors to get outdoors,” Wilda says of the duo’s overall goals. “We also wanted to introduce the education and safety aspects of doing certain activities and give folks an opportunity to tap into our local knowledge, which is why we’ve added so many guided activities.”

Ken agrees. “We wanted to create a hub where folks could come in, get their gear questions answered, and get everything they need to have fun outdoors.”

If (or when) you stop in, here’s what the Hoppers say you should add to your pack…items that aren’t always top of mind unless you’re seasoned pro.

Bear spray. The Michigan DNR estimates there are approximately 10,000-10,218 black bears in the Upper Peninsula, and bear spray is the best deterrent for bear encounters.

Cooking gear. A simple cook stove like the MSR PocketRocket literally fits in a pocket. Add a couple small canisters of propane or isobutane and a small saucepan. This enables backpackers to forgo campfires and the risks they entail.

Navigation. Much of the U.P. does not have reliable cellular service, especially deep within the national forests. Even on their guided trips, the Hoppers take a simple Garmin GPS device as “it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”

Toiletries. Everyone thinks of toilet paper, but the Hoppers also recommend products like Sea to Summit Soap Leaves and Wilderness Wipes, biodegradable options for staying fresh and making the roughing it a little less rough.

Chafing ointment. The subject of backpacking/hiking boots is an almost religious one, with entire schools of thought constructed around how to match shoes to feet so you can have a comfortable time hiking long miles with a heavy backpack. But even the pros recommend simple chafing ointments like BodyGlide or Chamois Butt’r.

Backpacking Locations

Michigan’s state forests cover 53 percent of the state, and another 14 percent is national forest, both of which allow for dispersed camping. Our favorite backpacking locations include:

The North Country Trail: Backpack and camp along Michigan’s 1,176 miles of the North Country Trail.

Manistee River Loop Trail: Dispersed camping is allowed at this popular 19.2-mile loop trail. It also has designated campsites.

Jordan Valley Pathway: Backpack the first half of this 18-mile loop trail on day one, camp overnight, then backpack out on day two.

Wilderness State Park: This park has designated areas where one can backpack in and enjoy a moderately secluded camping experience away from the park’s main campgrounds.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park: The North Country Trail passes through Tahquamenon, guiding backpackers up close to both the lower and upper fall systems.

Naomikong Point: Also located on the North Country Trail, this section features a miniature Mackinac Bridge at a creek crossing. This path follows Lake Superior, a popular overlook, and a wooden camp shelter constructed by a local Boy Scout troop.