Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Michigan
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
P.O. Box 40
Munising, Ml 49862-0040
(906) 387-3700
Sandstone cliffs-ochre, tan, brown, sandwiched with layers of white and green-tower 50 to 200 feet above the water. Lake Superior — vast and blue — glistens against a cloudstreaked sky. Deep forests — emerald, black, gold — open onto small lakes and waterfalls. The image is reminiscent of a master's painting: a palette of nature's colors, shapes, and textures creates the scene that is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Location: Michigan's Lake Superior shoreline
Size: 72,000 acres
Features: High, colorful sandstone cliffs; kettle lakes; hardwood forests
Activities: Kayaking, Beachcombing, Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Crosscountry skiing
This place of beauty was authorized as the country's first national lakeshore in 1966 to preserve the shoreline, cliffs, beaches, and dunes, and to provide an extraordinary place for recreation and discovery. Little more than 6 miles across at its widest point, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore hugs Lake Superior's shore for nearly 40 miles. The park consists of two zones: the Lakeshore Zone, owned and managed by the National Park Service, and the Inland Buffer Zone, a mixture of federal, state, and private ownership. Together these nearly 72,000 acres protect a portion of Lake Superior's shoreline and watershed.
At the Pictured Rocks-Hiawatha National Forest Visitor Information Center in Munising you can get information, backcountry permits, maps, and publications. Rangers can help you. The center is open daily, except January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. It is closed on Sundays in winter.
The Munising Falls Interpretive Center on Sand Point Road has brochures and exhibits. This self-serve facility is open seasonally and has exhibits on ironmaking, logging, wildlife, and how the cliffs were formed.
The Grand Sable Visitor Center, east of Grand Sable Lake near Grand Marais, has information, backcountry permits, exhibits, and publications. It is open summers and periodically during the rest of the year. The Maritime Museum and Ranger Station in Grand Marais has information, permits, exhibits, and publications. It is open intermittently, as staffing permits. Check with a ranger or call to ensure it is open before you go.
Camping
Three campgrounds-Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach, and Hurricane River-may be reached by car. All have water, tables, grills, and toilets. There are NO showers. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; there is a fee. You must register upon arrival at the campground, and stays are limited. Outside the park, camping is available in state forests and parks, private campgrounds, and in the Hiawatha National Forest.
Backcountry Camping: There are 13 hike-in campgrounds and 7 group sites spaced every 2 to 5 miles along the Lakeshore Trail. Only 2 sites, Mosquito River and Chapel Beach, have toilets. Fires are prohibited at Chapel Beach and Mosquito campgrounds -- use stoves. At other sites, fires are allowed only in metal fire rings. Ground fires are prohibited. There is no potable water. Permits are required. Camping is allowed in designated sites only.
Hunting
Hunting is a time-honored tradition in the park. The habitat supports many game animals, such as bear, whitetail deer, snowshoe hare, grouse, ducks, and geese. Firearms in vehicles must be unloaded and cased or in the trunk. Trapping and target practice are prohibited. Some areas of the park are closed to hunting for safety reasons. A Michigan hunting license is required; state and federal regulations apply.
Private Tours
Many private tour cruises are available. Private boats leave Munising Bay every day from June to mid-October. Air tours are available and guides can lead you on a variety of recreational opportunities. Obtain information at the Chamber of Commerce.
Winter Activities
You can crosscountry ski on the many miles of groomed trails; or, if your fancy is snowmobiling, try one of the park roads that are left unplowed. Also popular are ice fishing on inland lakes and Munising Bay, snowshoeing, and winter camping. Ask a ranger for trail routes.
Regulations
Weather and bugs -- you can't ignore either. Your visit will be more enjoyable if you prepare for extremes. The proximity of Lake Superior helps moderate the park's climate; but sudden storms can develop year-round, and hypothermia is always a threat. Bring rain gear and layers of warm clothing. Black flies and mosquitoes can be aggravating from mid-May to mid-July. Stable flies are common during warm, humid weather. Wear light-colored, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Bring insect repellent.
- For a Safe Visit Don't let your guard down when it comes to safety. Please be alert and observe these regulations.
- Do not climb or slide on cliffs, and stay back from the top edge; many are not supported by bedrock-they can suddenly give way.
- Stay on the trails and boardwalks and use the overlooks. Do not climb on rocks near waterfalls.
- Bicycles are prohibited on all lakeshore trails.
- Sudden storms and Lake Superior's ice-cold water make water sports treacherous. Use extreme caution when wading, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, or boating.
- Motorized or wheeled vehicles and domestic pack animals are prohibited in the backcountry.
- Pets are not allowed in the backcountry and must be leashed at all times.
- Natural and historic features are protected by federal and state law. Do not disturb shipwreck remains on the shore or in the water. In an emergency, call 911.
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