Basic Information

There is a variety of things to do and see at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore!

NPS photos

 

Welcome to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore!

Pictured Rocks offers towering multicolored sandstone cliffs, miles of sparkling beaches, dashing waterfalls, huge sand dunes, inland lakes and streams, deep green forests... and it's all yours to explore! Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is managed by the National Park Service, and it was the first of the nation's four national lakeshores to be established (in 1966).

The lakeshore includes some 15 miles of cliffs along its 42-mile length. Within the park, nearly 100 miles of trail lead to remote trout streams, hidden bogs, wild Lake Superior beaches, and a system of 22 backcountry campgrounds. The park is open year-round and is truly a four-season recreation destination with hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sightseeing, birding, backcountry and drive-in camping, fall color viewing, winter ice climbing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing... the list goes on!

This long narrow park also contains a great deal of human history. Historic resources include an 1874 lighthouse, maritime U.S. Coast Guard buildings and artifacts, and early logging exhibits.

To view videos about the park, check out our YouTube Channel!

Also, don't forget to download the free NPS Mobile App and save parks you plan to visit for offline use. Since much of Pictured Rocks is out of cell range, this is a handy resource for getting park information when you have no cell service.

Start Planning Your Trip!

Please note, if you are using Google Maps to navigate to the park, please use "Munising Falls Visitor Center", or "1505 Sand Point Road, Munising MI" as your routing point! Using "Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore" will NOT bring you to a visitor center!

Places to Go

Looking for views of the Pictured Rocks Cliffs? Chasing waterfalls? Check out our places to go!

Things to Do

Hike, take a boat cruise, camp and more. Learn about things to do at Pictured Rocks.

Goods & Services

For recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and other private businesses, please reach out to the following:

Alger County Chamber of Commerce

129 E. Munising Ave, Munising, MI 49862
[phone], www.algercountychamber.com

Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce

[phone], www.grandmaraismichigan.com

Explore Munising!

501 E. M28 Hwy, Munising, MI 49862
[phone], www.exploremunising.com

Munising Visitors Bureau

[phone], www.munising.org

 

Physical Address

Munising Falls Visitor Center

Directions

Operating Hours & Seasons

Visitor Centers

Internet & Cellular Access

Internet & Cellular Access Details

 

Weather at Pictured Rocks

Lake Superior greatly moderates temperature extremes, preventing deep cold during most of the winter, slowing spring warming, and keeping summers somewhat cooler overall. Winter months average high temperatures of about 25°F (-4°C) and summer months average about 70°F (22°C).

The average date of the last freezing temperature in spring is June 8, and the average first fall freeze is September 23.

This area is the second-most cloudy region of the United States, characterized by an annual mean cloud cover of 70 percent. Much of the cloudiness occurs in autumn and winter.

The prevailing wind is from the west, with average velocities ranging from 7 to 9 miles per hour, although winds coming off Lake Superior are usually higher. In summer, shore temperatures can vary dramatically throughout the day when northwest winds (off the cool lake) switch back and forth with southwest winds (off the warm land).

The big lake's presence also increases precipitation at the lakeshore. Annual precipitation averages 31 inches; annual average snowfall ranges from 140 to 160 inches with some years over 200 inches. Snow generally covers the ground from late November through late April. Fog can happen in any season.

 

 

Things To Know

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  Four Seasons to Enjoy

  Operating Hours & Seasons

  The lakeshore is open year-round, 24 hours a day, though most roads are closed by snow in the winter.

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  Fees & Passes

  There is an entrance fee for visiting the park.

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  Maps

  Don't rely on GPS, which does not work well here. Use the official park map.

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  Permits & Reservations

  Backcountry and drive-in camping reservations, commercial use authorizations, wedding and other special use permits, etc.

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  Is my pet allowed...?

  Pets are allowed on some trails & beaches but not all. Find out where they can go. Pets must be on 6 ft. leashes within the park.

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  What's Biting Me?

  Insects

  How to cope with biting flies and other small creatures that may negatively impact your visit.