Turquoise and emerald waters crash against dramatic sandstone cliffs jutting 50 – 200 feet out of Lake Superior, streaked with colorful mineral stains that give the iconic cliffs its name. The rugged beauty of The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches 42 miles and offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at those kaleidoscope cliffs as well as explore pristine beaches, mammoth dunes, and seek out the quiet beauty of stunning waterfalls.
Who would’ve guessed this was all in Michigan!?
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is only one of four national lakeshores in the US; it’s one of the best stops when road tripping through the UP. With a myriad of activities from hiking and kayaking to snowshoeing, there is something everyone can enjoy in every season.
Whether it’s your first visit or your 10th be sure to check out this lineup of awesome things to do in Pictured Rocks!
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The Best Things To Do & See in The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore starts in the sleepy town of Munising — it’s the best area to stay to enjoy Pictured Rocks. Many of the best things to do are within a 30 to 45-minute drive from town.
#1 Hike the Chapel Loop Trail
If you only have time to do one thing on this list, don’t miss this hiking trail! The 10-mile loop begins at the Chapel/Mosquito trailhead and passes through some of the most scenic parts of the Lakeshore, including spots you would miss kayaking. If 10-miles seems too daunting, then prioritize the section from the trailhead to Chapel Beach. The beach is jaw-dropping, after wandering through the thick forest you’re greeted with Caribbean blue waves and soft white sands. That section of the trail is just under 3-miles (one-way).
If you decide to complete the entire Chapel Loop Trail, make sure you leave yourself ample time (at least 4 hours) to explore and take in the beauty. After Chapel Beach the trail becomes narrow and snakes along the cliff, allowing you to peer down 200 feet into the turquoise sea — be careful! From Chapel Beach to Mosquito Beach is the only area of the Lakeshore where the cliffs can be seen from land.
Throughout this portion of the trail, there are no barriers and in many spots the view is unobstructed — it’s truly picture-perfect.
Three important notes to think about for your journey. First, if you’re traveling with a pup, they won’t be able to join you. Dogs are not allowed for safety reasons and if you decide to bring them you may be hit with a hefty fine (at least $180). Second, plan to start this hike by 9 am. As the morning progresses the area becomes busy and the trailhead parking fills up fast. Finally, bring water and a snack. Although the hike isn’t difficult there are some challenging spots and it is important to stay hydrated.
Before you go (especially in the chillier months) check The National Parks Service’s website for road and trail closures due to the weather.
#2 Marvel at the kaleidoscope cliffs from the water
This was one of my favorite things to do in Pictured Rocks! To get up close with the wild beauty of these cliffs you need to hop in a kayak or a boat. There is no better place to get full frontal views and the most Instagram-worthy shots.
Kayak tours range from 2 – 6 hours and explore popular spots like Bridalveil Falls, Kissing Rock, Lovers Leap Arch, Caves of the Bloody Chiefs, Indian Head, Battleship Row, Chapel Rock, and the sea caves. If you’re concerned you’re not sea-worthy enough for a kayak, rest assured, all the kayak companies use sea kayaks to give you the most stable experience — they even encourage kids to enjoy the ride.
But, if you’re still not sold on kayaking, then hop on one of The Pictured Rocks Cruises’ for a relaxing ride. Pictured Rocks Cruises offers three different cruise options to see The Pictured Rocks — the Classic Cruise (most popular and covers East Channel Lighthouse, Miners Castle, Lovers’ Leap, Indian Head, Grand Portal, and Chapel Rock), the Spray Falls Cruise (covers all of the Classic Cruise stops as well as the beautiful Spray Falls), and the Sunset Cruise (same route as the Classic Cruise, just with a beautiful sunset!), each average about 2.5 – 3 hours.
Pictured Rock Cruises is the only company authorized by The National Park Service to conduct boat cruises along the Lakeshore. The cruises begin in May and end in October; just in time to enjoy a fall color cruise on the Lake.
One note, if you plan to kayak watch the weather and don’t forget to bring a dry bag (you will most likely get a little wet). Most tours still go with a little rain but if there is thunder, lightning, or rough water it will be canceled.
Also, if Lake Superior is choppy they may redirect the kayak tour around Grand Island. This happened to us and I’m glad we still went. The cliffs around Grand Island are beautiful too!
Make sure you don’t forget a wide brimmed hat with UPF sun protection and sunscreen — the sun can be brutal on the water!
#3 Enjoy the sunset at Sandpoint Beach
During the day this gorgeous beach comes alive with activity from early morning kayakers to vacationers looking for a beautiful place to nap. At night, the beach clears out giving you plenty of space to set up camp for the sunset. Each night the sun cascades beautiful hues of pinks and oranges as it sets behind Grand Island and the shoreline. The beach offers an unobstructed view of the beauty.
One interesting note, Sandpoint Beach was named “Top Five Summer Beaches in America” by The Weather Channel!
#4 Don’t miss Miner’s Castle, Beach, & Falls
Almost every photo of The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore showcases this incredible rock formation in the emerald sea of Lake Superior. Photos are one thing, but to really enjoy the beauty and scale of this place, you really must see them in person.
The best way to see these three spots is to drive and/or you can hike between The Miner’s Castle and the beach. Miner’s Falls does require a short hike, 1.2 miles round trip, into the forest to see the powerful waterfall. Depending on how leisurely you are hiking, you can be in and out of there in about 20 minutes to continue to Miner’s Castle. Once at Miner’s Castle it is a short walk to multiple viewing platforms. From Miner’s Castle, you can hike 2 miles to Miner’s Beach or hop back in the car and drive there.
Dogs are welcome at each of these stops — just don’t forget compostable poop bags!
#5 See the Munising Falls
This is a quick but unique stop! A short, 800 ft. hike (one-way) through sandstone canyons takes you to the 50-ft. Munising Falls. There are two viewing platforms and dogs are welcome to come along too. Visitors also recommend visiting this spot in the fall and winter for the gorgeous scenery.
#6 Relax on Twelvemile Beach
This 12-mile slice of heaven is located right in the middle of the Lakeshore and offers miles of pristine white sand and blue waters—there is plenty of room to escape the crowds here! The beach can be accessed from the Twelvemile Beach Campground parking lot, it’s a short walk but does require a lot of stairs down the bluff.
At night, this is also another excellent spot to catch the sunset and dogs are welcome to come along too!
#7 Visit Grand Island
Just a tad larger than Manhattan, Grand Island is home to scenic overlooks, beautiful beaches, hiking/biking trails, and miles of untouched wilderness. There are a couple of ways you can explore its beauty.
First, hop on the Grand Island Interpretive Bus tour which covers the island’s history while checking out beautiful vistas and wildlife. The tour is available from May – October and is $30 for adults and $15 for children, reservations are recommended.
If you’d rather explore on your own, grab your bike, kayak, hiking shoes (check out these multi-purpose hiking shoes) and hop on the ferry, and go! There are over 40 miles of trails throughout the island including the 20-mile island perimeter. If you’re not opposed to the cold and are a little fearless (actually a lot fearless!), in the winter trek across the frozen Lake Superior to see the incredible ice caves that form along Grand Island.
The ferry to the island runs from Memorial Day – Mid-October and tickets are $23 for adults and $15 for children.
#8 Check out Grand Sable Dunes
These enormous dunes rise 300 feet above Lake Superior and stretch for five miles along the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore! They are one of two examples of perched dunes in Michigan (the other is Sleeping Bear Dunes). Because the ecosystem of the dunes is fragile, you can’t explore everywhere. The best place to start is at The Sable Falls parking lot and take the short Grand Sable Dunes Trail, which offers sweeping views.
On the western side of the dunes is another unique spot, Log Slide. Long ago, loggers built a chute on the dunes to transport logs from Grand Marias. The chute is gone, but you can still learn about the lumberjack history from interpretive exhibits along the trail.
How Long Should I Spend in Pictured Rocks?
You should plan at least 3-4 full days to explore Pictured Rocks; this will allow enough time to experience various activities (by no means will you be able to do everything, though). You need to remember that Pictured Rocks covers 42 miles (from Munising to Grand Marais), and there are many incredible things to check out throughout the entire lakeshore; three days will give you a perfect overview.
I would plan to dedicate one day to kayaking or taking a boat ride and exploring some of the sights closest to Munising. Then I would choose a couple of hikes for the second day and, for the third day, head to Twelvemile Beach and Grand Sable Dunes; these two areas are at the end of Pictured Rocks near Grand Marais.
Pictured Rocks Packing Essentials
Whether you’re planning on being a beach bum or becoming a hiking and kayaking warrior, you shouldn’t leave home without these key essentials!
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free Mineral Sunscreen
- Sturdy multi-purpose Merrell hiking shoes
- Poison Ivy cream — watch your step when you’re hiking and exploring, Poison Ivy can he found throughout the area.
- Wide-brimmed hat with SPF protection
- Waterproof dry bag — perfect for kayaking or the beach
- Waterproof camera holder — a must if you’re kayaking and want to take pictures (works much better than a Ziploc bag!
- Bug Spray —depending on the time of year, mosquitos can be terrible.
- Small cooler — this is perfect for beach snacks, and I love it because it’s a backpack, so you could also take it hiking.
- Collapsible water bottle with filtration — perfect if you’re doing a multi-day hike
Where to Stay in Pictures Rocks
I suggest basing yourself in Munising and if you need help deciding where to stay, check out my recommended lineup of hotels near Pictured Rocks. If you’d rather skip the hotels and check out rentals, VRBO has a good lineup of options.
Important tip: When you start planning your Pictured Rocks trip, book your accommodations first, especially during the summer. From May – August this area is very busy and it’s not uncommon for hotels, rentals, cabins, and campsites to be fully booked!
The Best Places to Stay Near Pictured Rocks
The Beach Inn Motel
E9360 Highway 58, Munising, MI 49862
This charming hotel is right on the water and features a private beach!
1315 Bay St, Munising, MI 49862
This simple hotel is right on the water (no beach access) and in the perfect location to explore the area. The rooms aren’t fancy but a great place to rest after a day of exploration.
Holiday Inn Express Munising-Lakeview
E8890 M-28, Munising, MI 49862
If you’re looking for more modern amenities and comforts, check out this Holiday Inn. Some rooms even feature lake views and private balconies — the perfect place to enjoy your coffee in the morning.
Bookmark These Other Helpful Michigan Articles!
Whether you’re exploring more of the Upper Peninsula or heading South, I’ve got something to help you plan your adventure.
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Where to Enjoy the Fall Colors in Michigan
10 Fantastic Traverse City Hiking Trails
The Complete Traverse City Vegan Travel Guide
Where to Stay on the Water in Traverse City
Where to Find Vegan Wine in Michigan
