Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

This was my first time here as an adult and my god if you love camping, being in secluded wilderness and hiking this is the place for you! Ill be coming back here for years. Its impossible to see it all in one trip. We stayed at Little beaver campground and it was great except boaters have zero respect for quiet hours. They woke us up at 5am. The hike to spray falls is so beautiful we did it near sunset. Long but so worth it. The new trail platforms to the lake were so nice! The beach is unbelievable! (Edit) I forgot to mention there were no bugs! Not one! My wife was so happy!

Beautiful Clear, cool water. Pretty stones. Friendly folks from everywhere. Just refreshing. No waterfall view from this area. No railings at very bottom by beach, and stairs are covered in sand...heads up

Beautiful nature and breathtaking views — it’s incredibly scenic, quiet, and cozy here. If you enjoy swimming, there’s an easy and convenient access point down to the water. A perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

We got the classic sunset cruise for $50/person and it was 2.5hrs! Great value for the experience! Make sure to bring a hoodie for cold! Even during summer!

I went Memorial Day weekend. The hikes were legendary as was the pollen (so bring your allergy meds). Phenomenal views. Will go back.

Pictured Rocks has been on my bucket list for many years. I've been to the upper Peninsula a few times, but I've never made it to this area. This is most certainly a popular attraction for tourists and if you get the opportunity book a sunset cruise to view the rocks. The entire area is full of unique trails to hike with stunning views of Lake Superior. I'm looking forward to coming back next summer.

I've visited Pictured Rocks multiple times. The trails range in difficulty levels and length. I would say the easiest is Munising Falls, as it's 800 ft from the visitor center and the main trail is paved with asphalt with some wooden bridge areas and pretty flat. The other trails can be as long as you want them to be-you can string a bunch of them together to make a super long hike. Hiking along the cliffs is definitely worth it. The cliffs are beautiful with carved out sea cave areas and rock collapses, and the color of the cliffs are flat out gorgeous. Just be sure to bring mosquito repellent. The visitor center at Munising Falls is newly renovated and a bit bare, without a gift shop or exhibits. They're probably going to be adding that soon since the lobby is large and empty for now. The park ranger is friendly and helpful to make up for it. Next time I'll probably do a boat cruise so I can get another vantage point to admire the shores!

My husband and I visited Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in September 2023 with our 2 dogs. We made sure that we respected the rules for pets within the area. We both wanted to see Chapel Rock, but it wasn't dog friendly - so each of us hiked it alone while the other sat in the car with the dogs in the parking lot. There were many people who did not respect the rules regarding pets in these areas. We definitely enjoyed our time in this lovely place. There is so much to see !

Lots of nice trails, easy to follow. Good signage. Beautiful waterfalls and lake views. Trails and facilities in good condition. Entry fee of $25/car seemed well worth it for 7 day access. Be aware that cell service is spotty in this part of the state.

There's a calming sense of serenity when venturing the trail in the dead of winter. I saw virtually no one and you're able to view the Pictured Rocks from a different perspective than the usual photo dump of the greenery in full bloom. That being said, parts of the trail can be treacherous in the wintertime, so exercise caution, as some of the Sand Point and Cliffs camp trails will legitimately hug the edge of the rocks.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is situated in the UP - Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I discovered it on a whim while trying to drive what I researched was "Shipwreck Coast". But...to my mistake, Pictured Rocks NL actually composes a portion of the entire Shipwreck Coast. And...this scenic and colorful national lakeshore runs for about 50 miles between the towns of Grand Marais, MI and Munising MI. I was traveling from west to east (Grand Marais to Munising) and would just like to relay some of the pretty sights and surroundings I witnessed along my journey. Btw...also along Pictured Rocks, NL and especially in the town of Munising, there are tons of roadside waterfalls that make the entire experience here worthwhile and special. I really appreciated my time and travels along Pictured Rocks and grateful that I happened to find it while foolishly thinking I was navigating traveling along Shipwreck Coast. It was free to drive and explore the lakeshore this past summer of 2021. But...reading now here in this month of January, 2022...they will be implementing a $10 fee starting in March 2022. Goes to show how popular this section of Michigan has become that they need funds to improve the conditions of landmarks and attractions. When I was visiting back at the end of May in 2021, morning times were like 35 degrees outside. Pretty cold before eventually warming up. - Pictured Rocks NL Sign - take a picture. Make it official you have arrived, lol - Sable Falls - a cascading waterfall from a boardwalk observation point. It's a 500-foot walk with 168 stairs to the base of the falls for views. A tranquil setting when no one's around. - Grand Sable Visitor Center - unfortunately it was closed because of the pandemic. But...the VC in Munising was open to grab souvenirs. - Grand Sable Lake Scenic Overlook - a quick 5-minute stop for a picture. Nothing special really to see. You can have a picnic here though. - Log Slide Overlook - along the banks of Lake Superior. I got lucky the sun was in full force and the shores down below had a turquoise greenish tone to them. Very colorful! Be careful...there are warning signs stating do not venture down to the beach shores. It's a 500-foot drop and if you somehow get stuck...it could be hours before they can rescue you. I just hung out at the overlook. - Sable Lighthouse - to arrive here you have to walk 1.5 miles each way through the charming woods. The trail is along flat ground. At the lighthouse...the setting reminded me of being in northern Maine. I sat on the dock a few feet away from the lighthouse and took in the fresh air. - Lake Superior Overlook - pitstop for a view. Just okay. - Pictured Rocks Cliffs Area - this was one of the most popular areas along the 50-mile drive. Very busy and frustrating to have some many tourists around. There are 2 main highlights here and both are next to each other... ----------Miners Castle Overlook - beautiful! Photogenic! Again, stunning waters from the vista point. ----------Lower Overlook - another perspective to admire Lake Superior. *****Now come a ton of waterfall locations and destinations! Who doesn't love waterfalls??? - Miners Falls - scenic walk to the falls. Quick picture from an overlook spot. Crowded! I had to wait in line to snap photos. - Munising Falls - pleasant ambiance. Easy stroll on a boardwalk to an overlook. - Munising Falls Visitor Center - stop in for any brochures or keepsake items. - Wagner Falls - simple boardwalk vista point. - Welcome to Munising Sign - why not grab a picture saying you were in Munising? - Alger Falls - a roadside waterfall. Plug "Alger Falls" into Google Maps to find. Be careful and drive slow it'll appear quickly. This next section is located all together... - Chapel Falls - eh...disappointing, tbh. - Chapel Lake Overlook - nothing really. - Mosquito Falls - pointless? Yet...for these 3 spots they were pretty congested with visitors hanging around. Horseshoe Falls - just outside Munising on private property. A $10 fee to enter. Waterfall was nice. You can also feed fish here on a pond. Good for a picnic if you bring your own lunch. Miners Beach - quiet beach for some relaxation. Some last notes... In Munising I had terrific cell phone reception. Otherwise, along the 50-mile drive from Grand Marais...I had very little connectivity. I camped out at the Bay Furnace Camp and Picnic Grounds. A terrific location for spending nights outdoors right near the town of Christmas, Michigan. Overall, for discovering Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore randomly on my voyage around the UP of Michigan...I was happily surprised and left here with plenty of good memories and moments. In the end I was making my way towards Copper Harbor, MI and Isle Royale National Park. For any outdoors enthusiasts...this scenic coastline along the banks of Lake Superior makes for a fantastic weekend getaway into the heart of nature and the great outdoors.

What words can I say here that will do this lakeshore justice? I genuinely don't know! Just do your heart, mind, and spirit a favor and visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It's gorgeous, in all seasons, and in all weather conditions. It's called Lake Superior for a reason. It's a NATIONAL lakeshore for a reason. This place is magnificent & truly deserves to be one of the crowning jewels of Michigan. There is so much to do all the outdoor activities here - backpack, camp, cruise, hike, do all the beach things, swim, dance, laugh, and soak up the sun and the stars. It's everything and more. The drive through Pictured Rocks on H-58 is also absolutely stunning. There is so much to do, I could spend an entire week here. I love coming back here each time I visit and each time I discover more and more beauty, activities, and fall even more head over heels for this place xoxo

Pleasant NPS site. Cool rock formations. Nice hiking. The main attractions are quite busy. Limited infrastructure for NPS site and what does exist seems to lack maintenance. Visitor centers have limited interpretive content. Park charges $20, which seems high for level of investment in park. Nice junior ranger program. Worth checking out if in area.

Wow!! We visited pictured rocks National lakeshore in early may and did the mosquito falls/chapel falls loop ending up somewhere around 11 miles total. Absolutely gorgeous! I think we were off season/very early in season and the weather was on and off threatening rain so the place was pretty empty which was great. We definitely encountered some fallen trees and muddy paths, but the views were definitely worth it. The fact there was no admission free was a great surprise bonus as well. Like much hiking in the Midwest there wasn't a whole bunch of elevation change- just a little hill to get down to the shore and back up but the lakeshore is so beautiful I didn't mind the flat terrain. The biggest surprise to me was the dirt road to get to the parking lot. I'm not sure if it's better maintained in the summer but it was a bumpy ride and on several occasions I was worried my tiny car wouldn't make it. Luckily we persevered and it was totally worth it. I would recommend it to anyone traveling in the UP.

Doesn't really get much better than hiking the National Lakeshore. We've been in the U.P. several times over the years and Pictured Rocks always wows me. This year instead of taking the boat tour, we decide to get up close and personal and hike a stretch of it. To say the views are breathtaking is simply an understatement. Going during off-peak season is also a bonus as we were virtually the only ones on the trails, and we ran into less than a handful of fellow hikers and campers. We hiked the Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via the Channel Loop. It was 12 miles of stellar views, some muddy muck and so much inn general to look at. It was a tiring jaunt but so worth it when we made it back to where we started. This is a hike that is a must if your ever in this area. The pictures do only a smidgen of justice.

Before you begin this journey through paradise, I should warn you to be prepared. The sights along the path to the shore are jaw droppingly beautiful. I highly suggest wearing comfortable shoes for hiking, and ones you do not mind getting dirty. I suggest bringing a small backpack or shoulder bag that can fit necessary essentials. I felt terrible for the couple behind us because they were bitten by tons of mosquitos and we offered them some spray. Be sure to bring mosquito spray, sunscreen, water, and perhaps a beach towel. We used a nice shoulder tote that has a mini cooler at the bottom. It was not too heavy to carry, and it had all of our essentials. When you begin the journey down to the shores, it can be very confusing. They are signs along the way to help you navigate. The couple behind us ended up splitting off by going right instead as we were not sure which way to go. They ended up having to come back up to take the correct route. When we met them up at the shores, they informed us that the other route was not one you could navigate. The ground was a bit wet in some spots and muddy, so you have to walk carefully. Also, it can be narrow in quite a few spots. I must admit that I am very out of shape and the journey down was quite exhausting. However, I did enjoy the beautiful scenic route towards the water. I saw amazing and beautiful rocks. There were tons and tons of trees and plants everywhere. We got to walk along wooden paths created, with plants on both sides. It was an amazing experience. Once we reached the point of running down the sand towards the water, we felt a sense of accomplishment. You could feel the breeze from the water on the hill. The water was clear and beautiful. The sand was pretty much empty, aside from 4 teenagers to the right of us. It was like having your own secret paradise all to yourself. Going back up was tough, but manageable. It was well worth the trip down though. It was quiet and a beautiful experience. I would definitely do it again.

Pretty, pretty good Not five stars, but worth visit Prefer the Porkies For a place that is really in the middle of nowhere, they sure do pack them in here. The park was jam packed when I was there this past weekend. Long line to get to the viewing platform to see the falls. Hard to find parking at some of the stops. I only visited a small portion of the park - the westernmost part that is close to Munising. I visited the Porcupine Mountains Park a number of years ago and gave that a five. This was not as impressive as that so four stars here. One pro was there was no admission fee - not sure if that is all the time or just due to COVID. Cons - signage getting there is poor and no visitor center that I could find - likely would not have been open if there was one anyways with the pandemic and all.

Wonderful Place Filled With Beauty! Michigan was the only state in the country I had not visited, and this area makes me feel like I wasted many years of not seeing this lovely area. Many park areas, beautiful beaches, tranquil waterfalls, serene hiking trails and terrific green landscapes make this a peaceful and relaxing place to spend some time. There is just so much to do and see here if you are like my family and love nature. I actually felt like living here in this area would be a nice idea even! What are you waiting for? Get out here and explore this wonderful place.

Truly amazing! The scenery is so beautiful, and the information about the history is awesome!

Amazing place, great hikes, a million gorgeous views. Make reservations early, too late to buy real estate.

We did the falls cruise in the big boat. We sat inside in the middle behind the captain. We had a great time. My only complaint was others didn't control their children who were constantly moving & bumping into our seats. We moved & that helped. Captain knew his job. The ride was smooth and educational. I'm not sure why the rest of the crew huddled up around him. They seemed to be students? $58 is a bit of $$ but it was worth it for the 2 hours we were out.

We selected a 7 pm sight-seeing cruise was a cloudy overcast eve. Kind of chilly. Cruise was awesome. Learned about the pictured rocks. Though I am sure it would have been even prettier if had been a sunnier evening. So many people chose this same slot they had to take 2 boats!

I was absolutely blown away by this national park site. My recent journey on the Superior shores had me spending more time at the Apostles. I only realized too late that I should have spent more time here too. A short Yelp review will never capture everything about this park. The turquoise blue waters can hardly find words to express themselves. The color banded cliffs plunging straight down into waters below - sometimes literally when sections fracture off. Winding scenic roads and sandy beaches. Multi-colored stones polished by millions of years of water and ice. Waterfalls and fall leaf flourish. The meditative sound of waves crashing - you'd be forgiven for thinking this was actually the ocean. Do yourself a favor and pay the $50 for a boat ride. But even if you can't, a scenic (and free) drive the full length of the park is more than worth it. If the water is warmer, seek out a guided kayak group tour. I'd gladly come back just for that.

We took the boat trip. Abosuluely worth the $40/per person. Get seats next to window on right side. If you get car sick, ask for a bag especially for choppy waters. Make reservations in advance online. Get there early to get good seats.

I went here for my first backpacking trip this past weekend! It was a perfect trip for a first time backpacker as the hike was mostly flat and you have the option to go as far / short as you'd like. We did ~25 miles total along the lakeshore and it was beautiful! There is many campsites along the way but they book up fast during the summer so I recommend booking early. We started at the visit center and ended by little beaver lake. We planned it out so we did 8 miles on the first day, 12 on the second day, and 4 miles the last. It was supposed to rain the weekend we went, however the weather held and it ended up being beautiful. The lake was still warm so we hopped in several times throughout our journey to cool off. The sunset was breath taking. I definitely recommend going to the lake at night to see the sunset and stars. It was absolutely amazing and so clear! There's also many options to do car camping or day hikes if you're more into that. The rocks along shore are some awesome! There's so many pretty colors and sizes. I would take a few home with you. :)

Absolutely beautiful! We went on the cruise. Staff was great! Munising is a wonderful town- very welcoming! I'll definitely visit again!

Definitely miracle to see how it has transformed over yearsss... one time visit makes sense with couple days. Other than that there is nothing more.. unless u rent an RV :)

There were so many great photo opportunities. The tour was very informative and upbeat. We had a fun day on the water, Thank you Captain Dave!

So beautiful! We will have to come back because there's so much to see and do! We did Miners Castle and falls which was incredible. Our boat tour got cancelled because of the weather so that was a bummer but we will just have to come back!

On of the best places on can see in the UP of Michigan. The park is especially beautiful in the middle-end of October. If you can't take a boat ride to see all the great places of the lakeshore start with the Log Slide up north and go all the way down to Chapel Rock, to Spray Falls, and then to Miners Castle. Incredible places to hike and to see in person. Amazing views of the Lake Superior. Beware of deer (especially in the evenings) as there a quite a lot of them crossing roads. And don't worry about bears, chances of meeting them are very low. All in all, if you're in the UP this is a must visit place!

What a sight to see! Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of four protected lakeshores in the United States and stretches 40 miles from Munising Bay to the dunes of Grand Marais. If you're outdoorsy: lots of hiking trails and a handful of sandy beaches. If hiking sounds painful: take the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise, which takes off from Munising. You see the rocks in all their glory, many of which you can't view unless you're on the water. Don't have time for the cruise or a hike? Drive 20 minutes outside Munising to the Miner's Castle viewpoint. The best view from land there is of the most famous rock formation. *Note: because it is protected lakeshore, no one is allowed to take rocks as souvenirs from the lakeshore. It's tempting, but leave it be for future generations to enjoy!

This cruise was beautiful! We took the one that went to the waterfall @ 3:00. Real chilly that afternoon and 5-6' waves so we sat inside on lower level. Perfect level for pictures. Made sure we sat ON THE RIGHT where we could open the window and take pictures (IMPORTANT IF SITTING INSIDE). Tour was nice. Captain and staff friendly and helpful for sickly. Waves slashed on window on and off the whole time. Beautiful lake, rock formations, and waterfalls along the way. Left side does get photo ops but right is better viewing. Line forms early even if chilly . Definitely worth the ride.

Breathtaking views. Fun hike that is beginner friendly! We didn't see much wildlife but the waterfalls, rock formations, and history were definitely worth the long hike. We spent about 8 hours hiking around, taking pictures, and spending some time to just take in the beauty. I highly recommend taking your time and doing the full loop. It isn't too difficult and the scenery is amazing!

This review is a few years in the making. I visited here a couple of years ago, while I was still a Yelp newbie. I didn't check-in back then and only on rare occasions did I ever review places that weren't food related. Much has changed since then, and now my motto is, "if you do it, review it". Recently, I came across my old phone (pictures) and decided to play some catch up on places that warranted a review. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore most definitely warrants a review, and a five-star one at that. This place was on my "list" forever. This Southern woman absolutely loves Michigan, and especially the Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior. We went in late September and the weather was perfect: warm days and cool nights, that were perfect for camping. We spent a few days doing other activities, parks, and hiking. The last day we had available in Munising was planned for doing the Pictured Rocks. It decided to be overcast that day and that didn't make for the best viewing or pictures of the colors in the rocks. If you can go on a clear and sunny day, that is the best time to view. However, even with the clouds and grey skies, the colors in the rock formations were incredible. This was so worth the time and money spent on the cruise. After our cruise, we hiked and went to Miners Castle Rock. This gave another and completely different view of Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks. I would definitely recommend doing both. I absolutely love the UP and would love to come back in the winter and ride snowmobiles on their many trails. Lake Superior is beautiful and my favorite of all of the Great Lakes. Nothing but five stars for Pictured Rocks, Lake Superior, and the Upper Peninsula as a whole, especially if you love to be out in nature.

This is a beautiful area. We only had a day to see the Shipwreck Museum, Tahquamenon Falls, and Pictured Rocks. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped the Shipwreck museum and added the boat cruise along Pictured Rocks instead. We hiked from the trail head to the beach during the fall (September 23 was before peak color) which was cooler (temps in 50s), less crowded, and less buggy (we didn't need insect repellant). It was great to be on the beach alone.

If you can get yourself up to Pictured Rocks, you should do it. And if you can do the ten mile Chapel Loop hike, that is what you should do when you get here. It's a few miles out to the coast (and later back), but then it's a series of beautiful overlooks into amazing rock formations, clear water that looks almost tropical, and the fascinating mineral stripes that give Pictured Rocks its name. In a more crowded national park, this hike would be mobbed, but we had a lot of the trail to ourselves. Maybe it was our late start, but you should go while you can. (The trail isn't that difficult because there isn't a ton of elevation change, though it is on the long side, so you might be able to do it even if you don't normally do a lot of ten mile hikes. But I don't recommend trotting onto the trail with a couple of kids in sandals and little water, like one unfortunate family we encountered.)

So glad to see the love for PR on Yelp - basically 5 stars across the board, though it's a bit sad to see how few reviews there are. That being said, that's also a positive, as for a park as gorgeous as this one, you'll be blessed with few crowds. PR had been on my bucket list for a good while until I found a friend who was also interested, so we made plans for Memorial Day weekend 2018. We began planning in February, and while the park is not as popular as it could be, there are also not that many lodging options in the area if you are not camping. Thus, if you'd like to not spend oodles on your hotel, advance planning is certainly recommended. We booked 2 nights in the Holiday Inn in Munising, and that ran only about $125 before tax. The hotel did sell out due to the long weekend. Several people have mentioned the Chapel Falls and Rock hike, and that's the one we did. If you do out and back, it's 6+ miles, but not a strenuous hike, although there were quite a few muddy spots toward the end and we were scrambling through the brush to avoid those. The park is notorious for being full of bugs; this early in the season the horrible black flies were not out yet, but plenty others were. Heavy duty bug repellent is highly recommended, and taking it along if hiking in hot weather is also recommended -- I had to reapply at least once. Also, although the privately owned cruise does run $38, it is well worth it, as the only way to really see the rocks themselves is from the lake. The tour guide does also provide plenty of information. ALSO - there is no charge to enter the park! If you stop at the visitor centers (I believe only one is open year-round, while the other is only seasonal), do throw some $ into the donation bin. I was surprised when I put a ten dollar bill in there and the ranger acted very surprised (and grateful). A park this beautiful in most other parts of the country would easily cost $30/day. Summary: If Pictured Rocks is not on your bucket list, add it right now.

Pictured Rocks is one of the prettiest places on Earth! You can hike, kayak, take a boat cruise, camp, dive and check out shipwrecks, etc.

The park itself is gorgeous and worth a visit and I don't need to echo what others have said. The one star is for the national parks service and closing all of the visitors/information centers/tours/buildings. No souvenirs, no asking a ranger for some info, no passport stamps, no anything. The only ranger I saw when I was there was the one that almost ran over me and my dog when they were speeding down a shared use trail In their keep. Why everything g was closed is beyond me. I've been to other national parks that we're doing work and they set up temporary areas for people to visit and buy things/stamps. It was just poorly planned and very disappointing that nothing was open. It was more annoying that they managed to staff the fee collection booths but not the stores and info center. They can't blame it on the Covid, I visited Sleeping Bear Dunes the same week and they were fully staffed and open. The park is worth a visit but I would call and check things are open if you're going to want information and/or souvenirs.

Incredible camping and hiking experience! Do your homework before you go. Know the animals and weather you can run into and how to avoid bears in your campsite. Also look up all the hikes and kayak/boat trips. There is so much to do here that you won't want to waste your time looking it up while camping. Also... You won't have phone service very often. So don't expect to be able to use your phone for a gps or to look up campgrounds. We took a car and camped at Twelvemile Campground and Bay Furnace. Both wonderful campgrounds. From there we did day hikes and a boat tour. If you love the outdoors, you will love this trip!! Give yourself several days to try to get it all in!!

I used to live on Lake Huron, but then financial struggles began to take control of my life, I lost my wife, my kids, and my pet lizard died of covid. I was at the lowest point in my life and the only thing that kept me going each day was the hope that one day I may be able to go back to my home, Lake Huron. As the days began to get longer I started to lose hope in my life. I began to develop a severe drug addiction and was close to the end of my days. And then a miracle happened, I found Lake Superior. I began to visit Lake Superior everyday until my drug addiction was cured. My wife started talking to me again and I began spending long lost time with my kids. My pet lizard even came back to life! THANK YOU LAKE SUPERIOR!!

If you live in the midwest, and you haven't been to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you owe it to yourself and your family to make this trip a priority as soon as you can. SUMMARY: - Wish we had stayed in the area longer and done more hikes - DO A BOAT CRUISE - Miners Falls were the best falls - The walk out to Au Sable Light Station is TOTALLY worth it FIRST, make a hotel reservation. We didn't and almost couldn't find a room. We ended up at Super 8 Munising Wetmore Area (http://www.yelp.com/biz/super-8-munising-wetmore-area-wetmore-2?hrid=uB-kzl8Q8oir68xihwrpXQ) Note, the name is changing in September 2014. But there are other very cool, probably better places to stay for local flavor such as Sunset Motel on the Bay (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sunset-motel-on-the-bay-munising). We approached this national treasure from the south east, and went to Grand Marais first where we entered the park from the NE on 58, making our first stop The Grand able Visitors Center. The rangers were great, gave me an very accurate estimate of how long it would take to get to Musining for our 6pm cruise, and made some excellent suggestions of what we should do until we had to arrive for our boat cruise. Our first stop was the Log Slide overlook, and the view was most unexpected. The Grand Sable Dunes were impressive and beautiful from the overlook. From there were hustled to the Hurricane River parking area to walk out to the Au Sable Light Station for a 330pm tour. Its a 1.7 mile hike on the path to the lighthouse, but we did mange to arrive in time for the tour. It was worth every bit of the $3 admission per person, but BRING EXACT CHANGE, as they do not make change there. The keeper's house is slowly being rehabbed to bring it to its 1910 condition, but the work is slow, and the money is likely scant. Still, we were glad to explore the house with the ranger's excellent tour. Of course, the real treat is the 98 steps up to get to the top of the lighthouse and walk on the catwalk. The view to the Grand Sable Dunes was impressive. From that perspective, you can really see how fog rising from those dunes can create a navigational nightmare for shipping. Though pressed for time, we did take some time to walk the beach and see the ship wrecks on shore, which certainly fill the imagination. But the large amount of round rock on the beach was very colorful and captivating too, and if we had one place where I wish we had spent more time, that was where I would have spent an extra hour or two. The drive to Musining was swift, but the scenery along the road was gorgeous. We arrived in time to make our 6pm cruise with not much time to spare. IT WAS indeed the highlight of the trip. We took the 6pm cruise that went all the way to Spray Falls, and I would recommend it. Worth every penny. You can't experience all that is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore without taking one of these cruises. It was AWESOME, in the classic definition of the word (not the urban punk usage). The next day we began with a fast stop at the Interagency Visitors Center in Musining. Worth a stop, but skip the movie they have available. It has no educational value whatsoever. It clearly needs an update. Very much liked learning about the Hiawatha National Forest at the center though, and will need to make another trip up here to explore it more. It is a real gem. From Musining we drove to the hike at Miners Falls, and that was the highlight of the second day. If you have just one waterfall to visit, make this one the one. Such a beautiful hike and such an amazing waterfall on the Musining Escarpment. We lingered and enjoyed the walk there and back from the parking lot, and because we are the family we are, we did the walking tour with the dozen or so stops and read and learned rather a bit about the forest and geology there while reading the trail guide at the posted and numbered locations. Next was Miners Castle. There is an information center there, and for NPS stamp collectors (of which I am one), there is a separate stamp you can only get there. Miners Castle was great to hike down to, and it was fun to see up close, but the best view of it was really from the boat during the cruise the night before. Very happy we stopped here because the perspective of seeing it up close and from the boat was very intriguing for the kids (11 yo daughter and 9 yo son). That was something they continued to comment on which I did not expect to be such a curiosity for them. Our visit of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ended with Musining Falls and Sand Point. The Musining USCG Station was an interesting stop, and Sand Point was a great view, but the gem here is the falls, which you can view from three different vantage points. There is an informative visitors center here too, and it was where my two cubs earned their Junior Ranger badges before we began our drive home.

Absolutely stunning. The boat tour is worth the money. The rock formations and history of Lake Superior are fascinating. I wish our trip was longer so we could have hiked the lakeshore.

I live in California but have spent a lot of time camping and traveling around the Great Lakes. Pictured Rocks is beautiful and stunning. Worth a visit.

We visited on 9/30/07 and the foliage was nearly at its peak. You *must* take a boat tour (they only operate from mid-May to mid-October and the tours last for 2 1/2-3 hours)! The rocks are really beautiful and the boat ride was very peaceful. This - along with Tahquamenon Falls State Park (see my separate review) - is one of the two highlights of the UP (Upper Peninsula).

Seven words to sum up Pictured Rocks: YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOU ARE IN MICHIGAN Pro tip: The best way to experience this otherworldly lakeshore is by boat. So plan accordingly. Also, Miner's Beach is great for day trekking land lubbers.

Great park to visit. You can do long and challenging hikes as you desire. Many photography opportunities.

Beautiful, gorgeous & picturesque. Even the amateur photographer can take breathtaking photos.

This is an amazing place Beautiful sites and you can hike around the national park filled with incredible things to see.

I had plenty of time to plan for this trip but failed to book the boat cruise. I had done the Apostle Islands which you can't really hike. So, this one gave us an opportunity to actually hike around. I decided against dropping $50 per person for boat cruise in less than ideal weather in early October. Thank goodness, it was chilly and we ended up buying gloves and skull cap at local gas station. The nice park ranger at the visitor center recommended that we prioritize for the major attractions like Miner's Castle, Munising Falls, Miner's Falls, and Au Sable lighthouse. We walked to Munising Falls which was nice and quick next to the visitor's center. Afterwards, we drove to the light house trail head and hiked 1.8 miles to the light house. We made it to the 3:30pm tour so just factor that into your light house tour as well as EST time. We came from Twin Cities which is CST time. Overall, the tour was well done and we got to climb up to the top and walk around for 360 degree view of the painted cliffs. Then, we back tracked to Miner's Castle and Miner's Falls which were totally worth it before it turned dark. The leaves were already turning colors which was nice. Plus, parking was reasonable and not overfull. Be sure to make this trip during summer when the weather is nicer. Also, if you do visit in early October, just make sure to be prepared to wear coats. We just had raincoats and had to layer up to keep warm.

Pictured Rocks Pictures say a Thousand Words. Or maybe several thousand, in this case. I have to mention, however, that you CAN indeed hike about 40 miles of total trail. You can start at Miners Castle and go east, or drive to the trailhead at the Chapel Rock area and make yourself a little loop! Please pardon the fact that all I'm doing is linking the pictures that I took (some are from the boat tour, I did a review for that place). But honestly - one of the most beautiful places I've ever gone. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2293530&id=2403743&l=720087b9dd

No words can describe how beautiful Pictured Rocks is. If you ever get the chance to go, definitely do the hike! You will get some breathtaking views. One of the many beautiful places in Michigan!

Do the Chapel loop trail. The most beautiful hike I have even taken in my life, period. Not strenuous but it does run close to 7 miles. The falls are out of this world and the lookout point will take your breath away. Not to be missed.

I recently did a through hike of the National Lakeshore Trail, and that's what this review is on. Let me start by saying how beautiful and amazing the rock faces are. So awesome and like all have said: It's crazy to think you're in Michigan! Now for my trail reviews: Reservation process: 4 stars: I sent in a reservation through the lottery system back in March and was lucky enough to get my first pick! I think this is because most hikers/backcountry campers come last minute and hope for the best (which according to my fellow hikers, is a bad plan. Most had to cancel or rearrange their plans). I'm taking away a star because of the permit pickup process. Either get to town before 5 the day before or you have to wait until 9 the morning of - stinks when you're coming from out of town and want to hit the trail early. Campgrounds: 5 stars: I stayed at Benchmark, Beaver Creek and Potato Patch. All wonderfully maintained and have BEAR BOXES (yay!!) Concerning the others: some have porter potties and most have water access. We stopped quick in Mosquito and was underwhelmed by the 10 crisscrossing trails and horrible maps. Trail/maintenance: 3 stars: Note this is the actual trail itself (not the bugs or the views). #1 I can't get over how poorly the trail was marked. According to a fellow hiker, the NCT has markers every 100 yds except for this portion. Inexcusable. What happens when a hikers wanders off trail and has to find his way back? Or coming off a sand dune/ledge and trying to find the trail. This needs to be fixed. #2 the mud. It's clear they don't do much maintenance and let foot traffic handle the overgrowth, but something should be done - the side trails have side trails and the forest is suffering from people trying to find new routes. I found it particularly bad between the Cliffs group CG and Sandpoint. Overall, a great weekend! I can't wait to see the cliffs from a different view.