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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

A Recreational Paradise

At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, nature makes a statement. The mineral-stained sandstone cliffs and Caribbean-blue Lake Superior stretch 42 miles between Munising and Grand Marais. This timeless landscape has drawn explorers for centuries.

From deep water and towering dunes to dense forests, untamed wetlands, shipwreck tours and daring ice climbs, every season brings new discoveries. Few places ignite a passion to preserve nature and our human history like this place. See why.

Explore the must-see highlights of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where dramatic cliffs, scenic overlooks and tucked-away treasures bring this wild shoreline’s stories to life. Your sense of awe stays with you long after you leave.

Chapel Loop

Chapel Loop

The Chapel Loop hike in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a 10.2 mile loop that offers stunning… Read More

Chapel Rock

Chapel Rock

Chapel Rock is located along the coast of Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore… Read More

Miners Beach

Miners Beach

Miners Beach is a beautiful, nearly mile-long beach within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and… Read More

Miners Castle

Miners Castle

Miners Castle is located about 5 miles east of Munising on Alger County Road H-58, then 6 miles… Read More

Twelvemile Beach

Twelvemile Beach

Twelvemile Beach is situated along Lake Superior within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, just… Read More

Discover the waterfalls of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where rushing streams cut through forest and stone along Lake Superior’s shore. The sense of scale and movement leaves a lasting impression.

Chapel Falls

Chapel Falls

Embedded within the hike to Chapel Rock in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore lies a hidden treasure… Read More

Miners Falls

Miners Falls

Nestled in the western part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miners Falls is a 50-foot drop… Read More

Mosquito Falls

Mosquito Falls

Mosquito Falls is a two-drop wonder, with the falls nestled about 100 meters apart. With rushing… Read More

Sable Falls

Sable Falls

Nestled within the beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sable Falls is a must-see for any… Read More

Spray Falls

Spray Falls

Spray Falls is a remote and impressive 70-foot waterfall that plunges right into Lake Superior. Part… Read More

Hike 100 miles of trails

Take day hikes or backpack and backcountry camp for several days. Stop by the visitor centers for trail maps and updates on conditions.

  • Chapel Falls Trail offers a 2.5-mile round trip hike along an old roadbed, through an upland maple forest (a definite fall color hike from September to early October) to the breathtaking 60-foot high waterfall. No pets are allowed on this trail.
  • Miners Castle is the most popular spot in the park. A short walk from the parking lot will take you to three different viewing platforms ranging in length from 200 to 1,300 feet one way. The two upper platforms are ADA-accessible and leashed pets are welcome on the paved pathways. You can extend your hike and take the trail from Miners Castle downhill to the black-speckled sand of Miners Beach, a two-mile round trip. Pets are not allowed on the trail but you can drive your pet down and enjoy the beach together. 
  • Munising Falls Trail lets you walk 800 feet one way on a paved, ADA-accessible walkway that takes you to an observation deck to see the falls. No pets are allowed on the trail.
    Please note: Munising Falls is temporarily closed due to trail washout. Check the current status here.
  • North Country Scenic Trail traverses up to 42 miles through the park. No pets are allowed on this trail except for two segments, Miners Castle to Sand Point or Log Slide to Au Sable Light Station.
View Park Map
Image of kayaks in the crystal blue water of Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Kayaking & Boating

Experience Pictured Rocks from the water. Kayak or cruise along Lake Superior’s shoreline, or paddle inland lakes. Check the weather, use proper safety gear and paddle safely. Beginners should go with an experienced guide, as the lake can turn wild quickly.

waterfall at Chapel Beach on a sunny, summer day

Swimming

Cool off at Pictured Rocks beaches, where Lake Superior stays 45–60°F. Sand Point Beach is the warmest. Avoid cliff jumps and watch for rip currents. Explore the Alger Underwater Preserve for top scuba diving and snorkeling—most of the park is open for underwater discovery.

man speeding down a wooded trail on a bike in the autumn

Biking

Experience the ride of a lifetime this spring, summer or fall. Take your bike or e-bike on public park roads, following traffic. Bikes aren’t allowed on trails or the Au Sable Lighthouse access road. For mountain biking, use trails outside the park.

woman holding a huge fish on Lake Superior

Fishing

Lake Superior, inland lakes and streams in the park are prime spots for anglers. Catch bass, pike, walleye, perch, whitefish, smelt and trout—including brook, rainbow, lake and coho salmon. A valid Michigan fishing license is required.

White tailed deer at sunrise

Hunting

Hunting is allowed after Labor Day through March 31. Hunters can pursue deer, grouse, woodcock, bear and snowshoe hare across various landscapes using bows, muzzleloaders or firearms. All Michigan regulations and licenses apply.

Ice caves during winter on Grand Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Winter Activities

Lake Superior offers snow-packed fun! Explore the park by snowmobile, snowshoes or skis. Try ice fishing, view ice curtains on Munising Bay, or watch ice climbers at Miners Falls, Miners Basin and Sand Point. Winter scenes here rank among the U.S.’s best.

Enrich your Pictured Rocks visit with these guided boat and paddle tours.

Pictured Rocks Cruises: Hit several historic spots in one trip on a Pictured Rocks Cruise! Tours highlight East Channel Lighthouse, Grand Island, Miners Castle, the Painted Coves, Caves of All Colors, Lovers’ Leap, Rainbow Cave, Indian Head, Gull Rookery, Grand Portal Arch, Battleship Rocks, Flower Vase, Indian Drum, Chapel Cove, Chapel Rock and Spray Falls. Amazing!

Paddling Michigan | Pictured Rocks Kayaking | Yooper Yachts Kayak Tours: For the closest encounter with the sandstone cliffs, sea kayak on Lake Superior. Steer through some of the sandstone caves, touch the mineral layers and peer into the crystal clear waters below. Your tour begins with a boat ride that takes you to your launch point. The boat remains present in case you need a break from the water. Guide packages are available for less-experienced paddlers.

Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours: You won’t forget this tour! The two-hour trip includes crossing over two different shipwreck sites as you journey near rock cliffs and through caves. You’ll also see a historic lighthouse, Grand Island and Munising Bay. One of the shipwrecks is a wooden sailing ship pre-dating the Civil War. It’s still fully intact and just a few feet below Lake Superior’s surface. It’s not uncommon to see North American Bald Eagles throughout the trip as they nest along the shoreline. The tours happen daily from Memorial Weekend until the second week of October and reservations are encouraged.

  • The most striking views of the Pictured Rocks cliffs are from the water. Boat, kayak or canoe trips offer the clearest perspective of the full rock faces. Late afternoon and early evening provide the best lighting. During this time, sunlight enhances the colors for picture-perfect views.

  • The cliffs reveal layers from widely separated geologic periods. Some date back 500–800 million years to the Late Precambrian, Cambrian and Early Ordovician periods. Other layers formed during the Late Quaternary period. Together, they showcase an immense span of Earth’s history.

  • The park’s name comes from its mineral-stained sandstone cliffs. These cliffs stretch for 15 miles along the Lake Superior shoreline. As water seeps through cracks in the rock, minerals react and stain the surface. The result is the vivid, layered colors seen today.

    Each color streak represents a specific mineral. Red streaks indicate iron. Black and white tones are caused by manganese. Yellow and brown shades come from limonite, while pink and green streaks show the presence of copper.

  • The best spots for taking pictures at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore depend on where you explore and the time of day. Boat tours and kayaking offer some of the most dramatic perspectives, allowing you to photograph the cliffs from water level and capture their full height, color and texture against Lake Superior.

    Clifftop overlooks provide sweeping, elevated views and are ideal for wide landscape shots. Popular spots like Miners Castle, Chapel Loop and Log Slide showcase the contrast between forest, sandstone cliffs and open water. These viewpoints are especially striking when the lake is calm and the skies are clear.

    Beach-level photography creates strong foregrounds and a sense of scale. Locations such as Miners Beach and Twelvemile Beach allow you to frame the cliffs from below, emphasizing their size while incorporating shoreline details like driftwood and waves. Sunrise and sunset light can dramatically change the mood, with east-facing areas glowing in the morning and west-facing cliffs catching warm evening light.

  • The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. The busiest time runs from late spring through mid-autumn. Each season offers a different kind of beauty, from spring wildflowers to summer sunshine to fall foliage. Winter brings snow, ice formations and quiet solitude.

  • Munising Falls Visitor Center
    1505 Sand Point Road, Munising
    Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Year-round
    (906) 387-3700

    Grand Sable Visitor Center
    E21090 County Road H-58 (One mile west of Grand Marais, Michigan)
    Open Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Summer only
    (906) 494-2660

  • Although rock hounding is not permitted within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, visitors can search for rocks and minerals in nearby areas outside the park boundaries. Public Lake Superior beaches in Alger County and surrounding regions often yield interesting stones such as agates, jasper and quartz, especially after storms. Always confirm that collecting is allowed at your chosen location, follow local regulations and practice responsible rock hounding by taking only small amounts and leaving the shoreline largely undisturbed.

  • Several historic landmarks are located within the park. These include the Au Sable Lighthouse, built in 1874. Former U.S. Coast Guard buildings and artifacts can be found in Munising and Grand Marais. Other sites include a historic logging chute area and the Civil War–era Schoolcraft iron blast furnace.

  • Visitors can explore a variety of scenic towns, forests and natural attractions nearby:

    • Munising serves as the main gateway to the park and offers waterfalls, boat tours and local dining.
    • Grand Island National Recreation Area, accessible by ferry from Munising, offers cliffs, beaches, biking and backcountry camping.
    • Grand Marais, located east along Lake Superior, features a picturesque harbor, beaches and art galleries.
    • The Hiawatha National Forest surrounds the area with miles of trails, inland lakes and quiet campgrounds. 
    • Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a short drive away and is known for its powerful waterfalls and hiking paths.

Hotels near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Ready for a good night’s sleep? Find motels, rental cabins, resorts and other lodging options in nearby Munising, Grand Marais, Au Train and Wetmore. You can also base a day-trip away in larger communities with more choices, including Marquette, Escanaba, Manistique and Iron Mountain. Several properties offer waterfront views or easy access to snowmobile, ORV and cross-country ski trails or other popular attractions. Summer and fall are the park’s busiest seasons, so plan to book accommodations two to six months in advance.

Book Your Stay

 

Campgrounds near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

There are three drive-in campgrounds at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, thirteen designated backcountry campsites for backpacking and several nearby campgrounds in Alger County. The park’s three drive-in campgrounds, available from May 15 to October 15, are Little Beaver Lake Campground, Hurricane River Campground and Twelvemile Beach. Backpackers can camp at designated backcountry sites accessible by foot or boat. Reservations are required for ALL camping options. NO drop-in camping is allowed.

Reserve a site

 

 

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