Rocks National Lakeshore

 

Multicolored sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, wildlife and the forest of Lake Superior shoreline beckon visitors to explore the 73,000+ acre park, which at its widest point is only five miles and hugs the Superior shoreline for more than 40 miles. This was the first National Lakeshore and was authorized in 1966.

VISITATION:
The park is open year-round, though many roads are closed by snow during the winter months. Highest visitation is July and August; lowest visitation is November through April. Park visitation in calendar year 1998 was 456,970.
 
 
LOCATION:
The park is located between Munising and Grand Marais, Michigan, on 42 miles of Lake Superior shoreline.
ADDRESS:  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, P.O. Box 40, Munising, MI 49862
TELEPHONE:  (906) 387-3700 (information)   (906) 387-2607 (park headquarters)
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Hiawatha National Forest visitor information center (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.
 
The Grand Sable Visitor Center (one mile west of Grand Marais on county road H-58) is open July 1 to Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hours and open dates are extended as staffing permits.
 
Park headquarters at Sand Point in Munising is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, year round, with the exception of  federal holidays.
There is no particular "best season" to visit Pictured Rocks, for each has its own charm and variety of activities. In the spring, wild flowers bloom in great profusion and add to the beauty of the natural scene. The summer brings pleasantly warm weather and abundant sunshine. Fall boasts a colorful display as the hardwood forest changes color. A mantle of snow sets the stage for wintertime adventure.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
The climate varies as much as the seasons. Summertime high temperatures can reach the 90's with much cooler evening temperatures. Wintertime temperatures below freezing are common. Layered clothing for changing weather and a rain suit are recommended.  You can see the current forecast by visiting the Marquette Weather Service website.
DIRECTIONS:
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.
TRANSPORTATION:
Most visitors arrive by personal vehicle. Local bus service (Altran, (906) 387-4845) offers backpacker shuttle service in summer; reservations are required. Grass airfields are located near Grand Marais and Munising. Regularly scheduled commercial airline service is located in Marquette and Escanaba, Michigan.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
The user fee for drive-in campgrounds  is $10.00 per night.  There is no entrance fee.  Backcountry permit fee is $8.00 for a single backpacker staying one night; $15.00 for a single backpacker staying more than one night (up to a maximum of 14 nights);  $15.00 for a party of 2-6 people staying up to 14 nights; and $30.00 for a group of 7-20 staying up to 14 nights.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:  

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

Trails, Roads:

Self-guiding nature trails are located at Sand Point, Miners Falls, Little Beaver Lake, and Twelvemile Beach. Many other trails provide a wealth of day hiking opportunities.

A 42-mile section of the North Country National Scenic Trail follows the Lake Superior shoreline within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  Thirteen backcountry campgrounds and eight group sites are spaced every two to five miles along the trail. Only two sites (Mosquito River and Chapel Beach) have toilets. A backcountry permit is required (fee).

Only foot and boat traffic are permitted in the back country. Motorized or wheeled vehicles, pets, and domestic pack animals are prohibited.

Motor vehicle access throughout the Lakeshore is via county road H-58 and spur roads. Many roads, including portions of H-58, are unpaved and can be rough.

Programs/Activities:
During the summer, the park offers lighthouse tours, campfire programs, and guided walks.
Nearby Lodging and camping facilities:
Accommodations are available in the nearby communities of Grand Marais and Munising. Contact Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 118, Grand Marais, MI 49839 and Alger Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 405, Munising, MI 49862.

The park has three campgrounds that are accessible by vehicle, Little Beaver Lake, Twelvemile Beach and Hurricane River. All have water, picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets. The camp- grounds are first-come, first-served; a fee is charged. Register upon arrival at the campground.
Food/supplies:
Restaurants and supplies are available in the nearby communities of Grand Marais and Munising.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Eastern National operates bookstores at the Grand Sable Visitor Center and Grand Marais Maritime Museum. The Hiawatha Interpretive Association operates a bookstore at the NPS-USFS visitor information center. A variety of recreational activities, e.g., backpacking and sea kayaking, are available from licensed companies; you can request a list of these companies by sending email to  the On-Line Information Center.
Accessibility:
Each drive-in campground has at least one handicapped accessible campsite. Paved trails and boardwalks provide access at Munising Falls and the Sand Point Marsh Trail.
Special Needs:
Campgrounds accommodate RV's, but are rustic; no electricity, water, or sewage at the sites. Most parking areas have larger spaces for RV's. Road clearances for large recreational vehicles are limited on some portions of county road H-58. RV use at Little Beaver campground is not advised.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Sightseeing, picnicking, boating, kayaking/canoeing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. Winter: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Drive-in campgrounds are first-come, first serve; no reservations are accepted. Back country camping requires a permit; sites may be reserved.  Water is not available at the drive in campgrounds from October 30 to May 1.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
One or two days are needed for a leisurely visit. Popular day use areas can be enjoyed with just a few hours. Suggested areas for a short visit are Munising Falls, Miners Castle, and Sable Falls.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Special interpretive programs are posted locally throughout the Lakeshore and in local media.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
The park consists of the Lakeshore Zone, which is National Park Service-owned land, and the Inland Buffer Zone (IBZ), which is in mixed NPS, state, and private ownership. Because a significant portion of the IBZ land remains in private ownership, please respect the owners' rights.
 
During all seasons, storms can develop off Lake Superior so bring rain gear and warm clothing. Insect repellent is a must if you plan to come in the late spring or early summer; black flies and mosquitoes are out in force.
SAFETY:
Cliff edges and the ice-cold waters of Lake Superior can be hazardous. Use caution when hiking cliff trails and while swimming, wading or boating.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

One of the most popular ways to see the Pictured Rocks is by boat. From June to mid-October, privately owned boat tours leave Munising daily.

Here are some links to other area attractions:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write Park Headquarters, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, P.O. Box 40, Munising, MI 49862-0040, telephone (906) 387-3700 or send email to the On-Line Information Center
 
Last Updated: Saturday, August 14, 1999
http://www.nps.gov/piro/
Webspinner: Teri Perry