Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore spans nearly 12,000 acres, featuring 13 miles of stunning Lake Superior shoreline, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an adventure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Yooper Territory). The park boasts breathtaking sandstone cliffs, pristine beaches, cascading waterfalls, towering sand dunes, tranquil inland lakes, dense forests, and rugged wild shoreline. Whether you’re hiking, kayaking, or simply soaking in the natural beauty, it’s the perfect summer getaway for your next unforgettable adventure!
Fun Fact: The name “Pictured Rocks” comes from the colorful streaks of mineral stains that decorate the cliffs. These streaks form when groundwater seeps through cracks in the rocks, carrying iron, manganese, limonite, copper, and other minerals that leave vibrant stains as the water flows down the cliff face!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features two visitor centers: Munising Falls Visitor Center and Grand Sable Visitor Center, located at opposite ends of the park. In between, you’ll find a wealth of sightseeing opportunities, hiking trails, beaches, and campsites.
Another Fun Fact: Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake – 350 miles long, 160 miles across and over 1,300 feet at it’s deepest point! The lake basin holds so much liquid that, if drained, it could fill a pool the size of the lower 48 states to a depth of nearly five feet!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a variety of hikes, ranging from short 0.5-mile strolls to challenging 10-mile treks and longer for those planning overnight camping (backcountry permits required). Continue below to my favorite hikes & waterfalls within the park!
Grand Sable Dunes Hike
Length: .06 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Sable Falls Parking Lot
Easily my favorite hike at Pictured Rocks – starts off in a wooded area, and slowly starts to turn from forest to sand dunes and ends with stunning views of Lake Superior!
Mosquito Falls Hike
Length: 2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Chapel/Misquito Parking Trailhead
This hike takes you to the stunning Mosquito Falls which cascades over three rock shelves.
Sable Falls Hike
Length: .06 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: easy (steps to get down to falls)
Parking: Sable Falls Parking Lot
Easy to combine with Grand Sable Dunes Hike **
Munising Falls Hike
Length: 800 feet one-way
Difficulty: easy
Parking: Munising Visitor Center Lot
Easy hike if you are already going to the Visitor Center for park info **
Miners Falls Hike
Length: 1.2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Miners Falls Parking Lot (limited parking)
Accommodations:
All Campsites at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Require Reservations – book on recreation.gov.
Little Beaver Campground (where I stayed) offers a prime location on Little Beaver Lake, with several hiking trails just a short walk from the campsite. I love this campground for its 1.5-mile trail to Lake Superior, which connects to the North Country Scenic Trail. Bonus points for having a perfect spot to hang my hammock!
Twelvemile Beach Campground : Twelvemile Beach Campground offers 36 sites perched on a sandy plateau above Twelvemile Beach along Lake Superior. The most sought-after sites feature lake views. Located 15 miles west of Grand Marais on Alger County Road H-58, it’s 34 miles east of Munising.
Hurricane River Campground: The campground offers 21 sites, with 11 located in the lower loop and 10 in the upper loop. Each loop features one wheelchair-accessible campsite. Situated 12 miles west of Grand Marais on County Road H-58 (37 miles east of Munising), the campground is set along the shores of Lake Superior.
Outside of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
Hiawatha National Forest Campsites operated by USDA – First Come First Serve, some reservations availible (recreation.gov)
Private Campsites- Munising/Pictured Rocks KOA, Munising Tourist Park Campground
Hotels- Munising Area Hotels, Escanaba (located about hour from the park on Lake Michigan)
Thinking of your next YOOPER adventure? Don’t wait – contact me today to help piece your adventure together and seize the day!
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