An Outdoorsy Oasis
If you love being outdoors, add Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to the top of your summer bucket list.
This ancient, geological masterpiece is a must-visit for adventurous tourists, hikers, kayakers, and even photographers.
Here’s a rundown of all the best spots in the park, including trails, waterfalls, caves, and more.
Location
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a recreation paradise in Michigan’s upper peninsula. It’s located on the southern shore of Lake Superior between Munising and Grand Marais.
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is huge and wild and can be quite rough at times. It is encouraged that only experienced adventurers take their vessels out into the waters of this massive lake.
There are inland lakes available within the park as well that are better suited for casual water exploration.
History
Pictured Rocks is the first designated national lakeshore in the United States (established in 1966). It is one of only three national lakeshores in the country.
Reputation
Pictured Rocks is known for the mineral-stained sandstone cliffs that give the park its name. They stretch for 15 miles along the Lake Superior shoreline.
Beauty
Aside from the already stunning formations of Pictured Rocks, striking colors appear when groundwater from the cliffs’ cracks drizzles down the rocks.
Wayne Silver, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Colors
The streaks on the sandstone layers highlight the various colors as the minerals react to seeping water.
Red identifies iron, black and white mean manganese, yellow and brown show limonite and pink and green show copper.
Wayne Silver, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Water Views
The best way to see these colorful cliffs is from the water. Usually, the in late afternoon and during the early evening sunlight is the picture-perfect time to go.
Geology
The rock layers represent two widely separated intervals of geologic time, the Late Precambrian, Cambrian, and Early Ordovician Periods (500-800 million years before present), and the Late Quaternary Period (two million years before present to the present).
A Treasure
The beauty of Pictured Rocks was so impressive that sandstone from the cliffs was quarried from nearby Grand Island to be used in the construction of town buildings in the late 1800s.
An Outdoor Paradise
The miles of cliffs are not the only attraction at Pictured Rocks, though. There are miles of beaches, woodlands, and over 100 miles of trails taking you through the park’s unmatched beauty.
Let’s explore some of the top sites in the park.
The Beaches
There are six main beaches within Pictured Rocks Park—and none of them have lifeguards. They all provide stunning views and pristine shorelines that are perfect for wading, reading, photography, and more.
Sand Point Beach
Sand Point Beach is the most popular beach in the park. It is usually the warmest one, with shallower water and less waves—making it perfect for families.
This is the only beach with picnic tables on the sand.
Chapel Falls Trail
Chapel Falls Trail offers a 2.5-mile round trip hike along an old roadbed through an upland maple forest. It brings you to a breathtaking 60-foot-high waterfall.
Miners Castle
Miners Castle is easily the most popular spot in the entire park. Years of erosion created this interesting rock formation, that is sadly crumbling today.
A short walk from the parking lot will take you to three different viewing platforms.
Miners Castle: The Beach
You can go past the viewing platforms and extend your hike downhill to the black-speckled sand of Miners Beach—another favorite among visitors.
You can get to this beach through some of the trails in the park as well.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Flickr
Munising Falls Trail
The Munising Falls trail is a paved, accessible walkway that lengths about 800 feet and takes you to an observation deck to see the falls.
The North Country Scenic Trail
The North Country Scenic trail will lead you 42 miles through the park, offering stunning views along the way.
Grand Portal Point
Grand Portal Point offers one of the best views in Pictured Rocks Park. It’s not only full of intriguing caverns and unique rock formations, but it also has a suspended archway, and a massive rock face that make you suddenly realize how small you are.
Spray Falls
Spray Falls is a remote waterfall and is considered one of the most picturesque aspects of Pictured Rocks. The water plunges 70 feet over the cliffs into Lake Superior, with an 1856 shipwreck at its base.
You can get to the falls by following the North Country Scenic Trail.
Lover’s Leap
Lover’s Leap is a favorite feature among kayakers. The imposing rock arch extends from the shoreline to an outcrop located directly in Lake Superior.
Lover’s Leap: Folklore
Legend has it, a couple displayed their love for each other by jumping off the arch together. Please, do not attempt this. The water below the arch is only a few feet deep and not at all suitable for jumping or diving.
Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls is a beautiful, seasonal waterfall that often appears on postcards for the park. It is best viewed from the water, or at a distance.
Chapel Rock
This stunning sandstone formation was carved by the high water some 3,800 years ago and was dubbed Chapel Rock by French Explorers.
Chapel Rock: The Lone Tree
It once had an archway connecting it to the mainland, but that collapsed in the 1940s. The lone white pine growing on top of the rock is estimated to be about 250 years old.
Guided Boat Tours
Pictured Rocks Cruises are available for visitors. This tour takes you around to see all the highlights of the park, including waterfalls, caves, cliffs, beaches, rock formations, a lighthouse, and more.
Chris857, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Paddle Tours
Kayak tours will take you by boat to a specific launch point where you will then steer through some of the sandstone caves, touch the mineral layers and glide over crystal clear waters below. The boat stays close in case you need a break.
Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours
These tours happen daily from Memorial weekend until the second week of October and reservations are encouraged. Your two-hour trip will include a visit to two different shipwreck sites as you journey near rock cliffs and through caves, and numerous other stunning sights.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Flickr
Boating & Kayaking
Boating and kayaking along the rugged Lake Superior remains a popular route for tourists looking to explore the lakeshore up close and personal.
Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Diving & Snorkeling
Pictured Rocks is one of the best places in the Midwest United States for diving and snorkeling. Both activities are permitted throughout the park.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Fishing
There are multiple places within Pictured Rocks Park to fish, including Lake Superior, inland lakes, and numerous streams.
Popular fish caught here are smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, whitefish and smelt. And various trout species.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Hunting
Hunting is also permitted in the park from after Labor Day to March 31st. You will find a variety of wild game in the grown-over farm fields, hardwood forests and cedar swamps along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Winter Activities
There is no shortage of snow in Pictured Rocks Park in the winter months. Visitors enjoy snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
The Ice Curtains
One of the best places to check out during the winter is the ice curtains that tower up to 50 feet high between Munising Falls and Sand Point.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Ice Climbing
For those adventurous enough to try it, ice climbing is available along the escarpment between Munising Falls and Sand Point.
National Parks Gallery, Picryl
Final Thoughts
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is undoubtably Michigan’s most beautiful hidden gem, where vibrant sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and pristine lakeshores create a breathtaking landscape that can be enjoyed on both land and water.
If you haven’t already, add it to your summer bucket list—and don’t forget your camera!
Rick Briggs, FlickrSources: 1, 2
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