North Country Trail
Corridor map
NCT route, major UP trails, lodging, resupply towns, shuttle stops, Lake & water markers, and an NWS watches & warnings layer (tornado, flood, severe storms, and more). Tap a stop or park for weather, AQI, and fire danger; tap a colored alert area for details. Use the layer toggles to declutter.
Air quality and fire danger along the UP NCT
Fire danger: Moderate · No burn ban reported
USFS scale for the eastern UP / NCT corridor. Recheck before campfires. Details · DNR Fire Alert
Air quality & health guidance
Highest US AQI among North Country Trail / UP corridor markers (conservative for planning). Guidance follows EPA/AirNow categories for sensitive groups — informational only, not medical advice.
Air quality is generally good for outdoor activities. During wildfire-smoke season, sensitive groups (young children, pregnant people, older adults (65+), and anyone with heart or lung disease) still benefit from checking AQI before long hikes.
Wildfire smoke from Canada
Seasonal haze can reach the North Country Trail across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Canadian wildfires can send fine particle pollution (PM2.5) and smoke across the UP NCT corridor — from western trailheads near Ironwood through Tahquamenon Falls to the eastern approaches toward St. Ignace — even when the local forecast looks sunny. Hazy skies and elevated air quality index (AQI) readings are common signs.
Before long hikes or a shuttle day with young children, pregnant travelers, or older adults, check the air quality guidance on this page and consider shorter outdoor time when AQI is elevated. Tap corridor map markers for local AQI at trailheads and access points.
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Conditions are informational only. Weather, UV index (WMO), US AQI, and PM2.5 are from Open-Meteo. Nearshore wave and swell model fields use Open-Meteo Marine. Buoy observations are from NOAA NDBC; Great Lakes water levels from NOAA CO-OPS (IGLD — not ocean tides); river stage/flow from USGS. Air quality health language follows EPA/AirNow categories for sensitive groups (including young children, pregnant people, and older adults) and is not medical advice — see AirNow AQI basics and EPA wildfire smoke FAQs. Bug pressure is estimated from weather and season — not a medical or DNR forecast; bring repellent in peak months. Verify with Michigan DNR, park staff, NWS marine forecasts, and AirNow before travel, especially during smoke or high-seas events. Trail outage lists may not be complete.