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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Designation: National Lakeshore

Location: Michigan

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four-season outdoor opportunities abound.

🌤 Weather Information

Summers are pleasant with the average highs in June, July, and August in the 70s°F, and lows in the low 50s°F. The coldest months are December through March with average highs of 25°F to 32°F, and average lows in the teens. Annual precipitation averages 31 inches; average annual snowfall is about 140 inches, although winters with more than 200 inches are not uncommon. Snow generally covers the ground from late November through late April.

🚗 Directions

Pictured Rocks NL is located on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, between the towns of Munising (west) and Grand Marais (east). Access the west side of the park via Michigan highways M-28 and M-94 to Munising. State highway M-77 leads to Grand Marais on the east side. Alger County Road H-58 runs parallel and through the park, providing access to spur roads that lead to scenic overlooks, trailheads, campgrounds, beaches, etc. Most park roads are closed in winter due to snow.

Images

Au Sable Lighthouse and light keeper's quarters

Au Sable Lighthouse and light keeper's quarters

Credit: NPS Photo

Shallow creek narrowing through the forest.

Shallow creek in the Beaver Basin Wilderness

Credit: NPS Photo

Three sections of cliffs sticking out into Lake Superior like the bows of battleships.

15 miles of carved and colorful cliffs along the Lake Superior shoreine.

Credit: NPS Photos

The Grand Sable Dunes rise up 300 feet from Lake Superior.

The Grand Sable Dunes rise up 300 feet from Lake Superior.

Credit: NPS Photo

Kayakers near Lovers Leap rock arch formation

Kayakers near Lovers Leap

Credit: NPS Photos

Backcountry camping at Benchmark site showing tent surrounded by ferns and trees.

Backpacking and camping are a popular activities.

Credit: NPS Photos

Ice climber on a curtain of ice along the Pictured Rocks Escarpment

Ice climbing is a popular winter activity.

Credit: NPS Photo

High volume of water flowing at Miners Falls

Water flowing over Miners Falls

Credit: NPS Photo

Miner's Castle rock formation along the Lake Superior shoreline.

View the Miner's Castle rock formation from the adjacent cliffs or from a boat.

Credit: NPS Photo

Mineral stained cliffs and collapsed rock arch along Lake Superior

Springtime along the Chapel / Mosquito hiking loop

Credit: NPS Photos

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
This pass admits the driver and all passengers in a private-use vehicle for seven consecutive days to all areas of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
This pass admits a motorcyclist and passenger (if applicable) to all areas of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for 7 consecutive days. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$20.00
Entrance - Snowmobile
This pass admits a snowmobile to all parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for 7 consecutive days. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$15.00
Entrance - Per Person
This pass admits one walk-in, bicycle-in, or boat-in person to all parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$15.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
This admits a commercial sedan to all areas of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The flat rate for this pass is $25, plus an additional $5 per person age 16+. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$25.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
This pass admits a commercial van with a capacity of 7-16 persons, regardless of capacity, to all parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
This fee admits a commercial mini-bus to all parts of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A mini-bus is defined as a vehicle with a 16-25 person capacity. The fee is charged regardless of occupancy of the vehicle. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
This fee applies to commercial vehicles with a 26+ person vehicle capacity, regardless of occupancy. This fee does not cover additional fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$100.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
This annual pass is specific to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It admits a driver and passengers in a private vehicle, or the cardholder plus three additional people to the park for 12 months from the purchase month. This pass does not cover other fees associated with activities such as camping or commercial tours.
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, Feb 14

Overcast

Overcast

High: 32.5°F | Low: 14°F

Humidity: 88%

Wind: 12.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.4

Sunrise: 07:49 AM

Sunset: 06:08 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (12%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 22.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Feb 15

Freezing fog

Freezing fog

High: 30°F | Low: 25.7°F

Humidity: 93%

Wind: 11 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.2

Sunrise: 07:48 AM

Sunset: 06:09 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (7%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 26.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Feb 16

Overcast

Overcast

High: 34.2°F | Low: 27.3°F

Humidity: 93%

Wind: 18.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.2

Sunrise: 07:46 AM

Sunset: 06:11 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (2%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 28.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Most Park Roads Not Maintained for Winter Information
Sand Point Road is the only park road maintained in winter. Miners Castle Road, Chapel Road, Beaver Road, and H-58 between Grand Marais and Adam's Trail are not maintained.

More Info

Fire Ban Lifted
Effective Tuesday, May 29, 9 a.m., the current ban on all fires and charcoal grills is lifted. Fires are only allowed in designated campsites or day use areas where metal fire rings and charcoal grills are installed. Continue cautious use with all fires.
Phone Number for Canoe Exploration Sign-up Information
The phone number to sign up for the June 18 canoe exploration of the Beaver Basin Wilderness is 906-387-4310. The phone number listed on the activity calendar is currently not working. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Expect Long Wait Times on Little Beaver Road Park Closure
Road work on Little Beaver Road from July 21 - August 8 will cause delays in reaching Little Beaver Campground, boat launch, and trailhead.
Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice Park Closure
The Munising Falls Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is closed until further notice. Approximately 75-feet of the paved trail was washed out April 28th from recent heavy rainfall and seasonal snow melt.

More Info

Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice Park Closure
The Munising Falls Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is closed until further notice. Approximately 75-feet of the paved trail was washed out April 28th from recent heavy rainfall and seasonal snow melt.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
1505 Sand Point Road
Munising, MI 49862

🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 40
Munising, MI 49862

📞 Voice Phone: 906-387-3700

✉️ Email: piro_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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