Pictured Rocks is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Michigan. It has Canbrian Sandstone cliffs that are about 200 ft above the water. The shoreline is comprised of beautiful white sandy beaches. It is just the place to have a peaceful or adventurous getaway depending on what you’re looking for. 

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Source: Michigan State University, Department of Geography


Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is in Alger County, just east of Munising.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Hiawatha National Forest visitor information center at the junction of state highway M-28 and county road H-58 in Munising) is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, year round. It is open seven days a week from mid-May through October, with longer operating hours.

How can you get there?
PLANE - Grass airfields are located near Grand Marais and Munising. Scheduled commercial airline service is located in Marquette and Escanaba, Michigan.
CAR - Michigan state highways M-28 and M-94 lead to Munising; state highway
M-77 leads to Grand Marais. County road H-58 and other spur roads provide access throughout the park.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Local bus service

Facts:
ACREAGE- as of September 23, 2000
Federal Land - 35,725.86
Non-Federal Land - 37,502.51
Gross Area Acres - 73,228.37

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The glass bottom boat tour is definitely an exciting tour to take. You sail on a journey through shipwrecks that have been preserved by the Cold Lake Superior water. Three shipwrecks that will be seen are:

Herman H. Hettler
Michael Groh
Bermuda

Each ship has a rich history and is sure to capture your attention as you listen and view these practically intact ships. Each came to rest in Lake Superior in its own special and mysterious way.

Basic Information About the Tour:
Time: 2 Hours Long
Dates: June 1^st - Oct 14^th
There is a cost for the tours
Tickets are required

If you want to see these ships just a little bit closer you can go on a diving tour at the Alger Underwater Preserve (Morning, Noon, or Night).  Don’t worry if you’ve never dived before because these tours are offered for intermediate to expert divers. There is also a store that will rent you scuba equipment . There are individual and group rates available.

Other activities at the Lakeshore:

FISHING
Let’s go fishing! The places to make some good catches are Big & Little Beaver Lake, Sable Lake and the local Streams and Rivers. What do you expect to catch? Yellow Perch, Walleye, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout and some Northern Pike. Don’t start gathering that equipment yet. DO YOU HAVE A MICHIGAN FISHING LICENSE???

HAVE FUN!!!

CANOEING
There's nothing like a smooth canoe ride. This is something you can do as long as the waters are open and not frozen over (between about May-Nov). There are no canoe rentals so you must bring your own.

KAYAKING

Kayaking, now that sounds like fun. You can Kayak on Lake Superior or just the local lakes. How DARING are you? You can rent and get instruction from a local sports store in Munising. They teach a 4-hour safety course and rent you a kayak for a fee of course and then you’re ready for Lake Superior. If you’re not that confident try some of the local lakes. You can get a kayak rental and 15-minute instruction for a fee also. They hold daily guided tours and overnight trips for a fee. Services are for adults and youth. Contact the Visitor Center for more information.

Now Go Challenge Those Waters.

SIGHTSEEING

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What a sight you’d like to see if you could go sightseeing. Ok maybe that isn’t such a clever phrase but Pictured Rocks has plenty of sightseeing for YOU! Waterfalls are probably their most valued attraction. So if you go and see a sight please share your sight with others. (That means take pictures. SAY CHEESE!)

HIKING 

Hiking is a great way to enjoy nature wonderful sounds. Birds chirping, tree branches crackling under your feet, rustling waterfalls, and the wind whistling in your ears. So don’t go out and buy one of those sounds of the wilderness mood tapes. Go enjoy the real outdoors with a nice walk on the Wild Side!

PICNICS

Round up the cooks, people, burgers, and you’re ready for a picnic. There is no cost to picnic in the park. Grills and park benches are available for you to use. You can picnic anytime snow, rain or shine or vice versa. There are certain pets welcome to join in the festivities but you must check with the parks visitor center for more information on that.

ICE FISHING

BRRR is all I have to say, but Michigan is a winter wonderland state. How about some Ice Fishing? Well the best time to start is when the lake freezes over around December and then you might want to stop about early March when Munising Bay and Sable Lake get their first thaw. But if you’re a DIE HARD fisher you might try up until April if there’s still some ice. Oh, don’t forget that fishing license.

SNOWMOBILING

VRRROOOMMM!! You can snowmobile from about December until Early February at the park. There are plenty of snowmobile trails, but don’t count on seeing many of the beautiful sites in Pictured Rocks except for Miner’s Castle. There is a company in Munising that will rent you a snowmobile for a fee, and they also have a guided tour. Don’t forget your safety gear and you’re all ready. VRRRROOOMM!!

SNOWSHOEING

CROSS- COUNTRY SKIING

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing can be done just about anywhere in the park. There are no guided tours offered by the park. You can rent snowshoes and skis (skis, pole, and boots) at a Sports store in Munising for youth and adults for a fee. Some popular skiing trails are Valley Spur Trail, Pictured Rocks Trail, and Grand Island has some popular trails on it.

HUNTING 

Hunting is permitted in Pictured Rocks even though it is a National Park. Hunting is based on state regulations and is not permitted from April 1^st to Labor day of each year. Deer and Bear are basically the biggest catches in the park and smaller animals like Ruffed Grouse and Rabbit.

 
BACKPACKING and DAYHIKING

Source: Image Courtesy of Tangie Jones, former GEO 333 Student

The most popular activity at Pictured Lakeshore Park is Backpacking/Dayhiking. It is a year around activity. There is a 43-mile long trail starting in Munising all the way to Grand Marais. Permits are required and cover from 1-6 people and 2 tents, or if you have 7 or more you must go to a group site. The summer season is very busy so the Pictured Rocks Park Information Center does take reservations by mail and fax. You can call the Visitors Center for more information and to receive an information packet. There are also Driving Campgrounds. There is a fee per night per a certain number of people. You can use these grounds from May 10^th – October 31^st.

There are Law Enforcement Rangers at the Park and Plenty of Warning Signs for Your Safety.

For you Junior Rangers out there if you visit the information center before entering the park you will receive a booklet to fill out and if it is completed correctly can be redeemed for a Junior Ranger Badge at the visitors center.

This page was constructed by a former GEO 333 student, Tangie Jones.

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.