Picturesque Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches 42 miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior from Grand Marais to Munising in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (USA). 

*NPS Park Map

This 73,326-acre park was established on October 15, 1966 as this country’s first national lake shore.  It was created to preserve the shoreline, cliffs, beaches, and dunes that offer year-round recreational opportunities.  For us, that means hiking the trails, communing with nature, and photographing its scenic landscape. 

Welcome to Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore

Our first stop is at the Visitor Center where we get current information on the Park, roads, and trails.   For your own safety, visitors should stay clear of the cliff edges, and stay on the designated trails.  The Park has about 100 miles of trials ranging from easy and accessible (like the Marsh Trail at Sand Point) to more challenging trails found in the back country areas. 

The back country was one of my first experiences at Pictured Rocks NLS.  In the early 1990’s, we donned our backpacks and hiked into the back country and camped a few nights.  The trail follows the lake shore for some outstanding views.  There are 15 miles of sandstone cliffs that can rise 200 feet above the lake shore.  The colors in the cliffs are created by the large amounts of minerals in the rock.  During this trip, we see Mosquito Falls and one of the Park’s well-known landmarks – Grand Portal.  Not into hiking the back country?  Many features like Grand Portal can be seen by taking a boat tour.

Grand Portal

Sandstone Cliffs

Sunlight colors the rocky sandstone cliff

I do recommend taking a boat tour.  During our scenic cruise we were awestruck by the size and beauty of the sandstone cliffs, rock formations, and waterfalls.  A link to the boat tour is available at the end of the post.

East Channel Light

Grand Portal

Sandstone Cliffs

Chapel Falls

The Park has seven named waterfalls that are popular to visit.  They are: Munising, Bridalveil, Miners, Mosquito, Chapel, Spray, and Sable Falls. These waterfalls are the result of the sandstone outcroppings along the Pictured Rocks escarpment.

A leisurely stroll down an 800’ long paved trail leads us through a shaded sandstone canyon with footbridges over Munising Creek to the base of Munising Falls.  This area has stairs you can climb to get a different view of the falls.  It's a cool place to be on a hot day ... or a wintry day!

Munising Falls (50' drop)

Stairway to Upper Level Deck

Footbridge over Munising Creek

A lesser-known waterfall is the area’s best kept secret – Tannery Falls.

Tannery Falls

For more information on Tannery Falls, please refer to my bog post by clicking on the following link:

Tannery Falls - PRNLS

If you are looking to stroll through the woods a little longer, there is a connecting trail that will lead you to Memorial Falls (aka Twin Falls).  I'm guessing the alternate name represents the similarity between Tannery Falls and Memorial Falls.

We drove to the Memorial Falls trail by heading east on H-58 and turning right on Nestor Street.  Near the end of the dead-end street is a trail sign on the right side of the road.  Toward the beginning of the quarter mile long trail is a short wooden bridge.  This bridge crosses the creek just above the falls but we can't see the falls yet.

It is a pleasant walk through the forest along the top of the ridge.  Soon, we see the connector trail leading to Tannery Falls veering off to our left through the forest.  We keep walking straight ahead until the trail makes a right turn.   Now, the trail begins a short but steep descent down the hillside.  At the bottom of the hill, the trail curves to the right hugging the sandstone wall until we reach the falls.

Memorial Falls

The popular hike to Miners Falls is 1.2 miles (round trip) and the parking lot may fill fast.  We find a parking spot and begin walking the trail which winds through the forest.

Trail to Miners Flls

At the end of the trail are two viewing platforms.  The upper deck offers a slightly distant view of the falls.  The second platform requires going down 70+/- steps.   I think it is worth the effort for a better view of the falls.

Upper Deck View of Miners Falls

Stairway from ridge to Miners Falls

Close Up View of Miners Falls

During a winter visit we are the first to walk the unspoiled snowy forest trail to the falls.  I can’t help but marvel at the beautiful scenes that a fresh layer of snow can create on the winter landscape.

Snow-covered Trail to Miners Falls

Miners Falls (50' drop) - View from 2nd Platform

About one mile west of Grand Marais is the Sable Falls parking area.  From the trail here, you get to see four of the Park’s popular features – Sable Falls, the Log Slide, a distant view of the 1874 AuSable Light, and the Grand Sable Banks and Dunes. 

Birch Trees near Sable Falls Parking Lot

The walk to Sable Falls is a short half mile (round trip) trail that includes about 169 steps down to the first viewing platform.  We spray ourselves liberally with insect repellent and hike the forest trail to the base of the tiered falls. 

Stairs to Sable Falls

Sable Falls

After we photograph the falls, we continue hiking the half-mile trail that parallels the river to a beach at Lake Superior.  From here we get a nice view of the Grand Sable Dunes.  We sit on a fallen log for a little while enjoying the view before returning to the parking lot. 

Grand Sable Dunes

Before leaving the Sable Falls parking lot, we walk to a sandy overlook.  From this vantage point, we can see the 300-foot high Grand Sable Banks and Grand Sable Dunes to the east of us. 

Grand Sable Banks & Dunes

The Log Slide is directly in front of us.  “Legend has it that logs sent down the dry log chute would generate enough friction to cause the chute to catch fire.”  

The log chute may be gone but the steep sandy slope that remains has become a challenge for energetic visitors.  The run down may be fun and fast but the return climb back to the top is an exhausting workout (allow an hour for the return climb up the slope).  Anyone attempting to do this should exercise extreme caution.  As for me … I admired the view from the top. 

Log Slide

Log Slide - Another View - Going Up or Down?

Pictured Rocked NLS is a magical and majestic place.  It even has a castle.  Miners Castle is probably the most recognizable and famous of all rock formations within the Park.  It is accessible by vehicle and short trails.  Over the years, this sandstone castle has been under attack by wind, water, and weather.  Sadly, in 2006, this icon of the Park lost one of its turrets in its battle with erosion.  So, while its appearance has been altered slightly, Miners Castle still stands strong and proud along the Lake Superior shoreline.  

Miners Castle - after 2006

Miners Castle - before 2006

Miners Beach is a stone's throw from here.  The sandy-based parking area is small but there was plenty of room when we arrived.  On the left side of the parking lot is a short trail leading to the beach which was bustling with activity.  A group of kayakers were preparing to begin their water excursion.  We watched one of the Pictured Rocks boat tours cruise by the scenic shoreline.  A group of backpackers were passing through on their their three mile hike to Mosquito Falls.  Oh yeah, did I mention there is a waterfall here?  Elliot Falls (aka Miners Beach falls) cascades right into Lake Superior.

 Lake Superior

Elliot Falls

On the right side of the parking lot is the trail to Potato Patch Falls.  It is a short but very steep hike up the dirt trail to the top of the ridge.  The shallow trough-like trail reminds me of an intermittent creek bed.  At the top of the ridge is a narrow side trail going to the left.  From this trail, we see an obstructed view of the upper portion of the falls.

For a better look at Potato Patch Falls, we go back down the ridge a few yards and find another narrow side trail.  This trail continues to descend for a short distance and then levels out following a sandstone wall.  The trail ends at a small wooden deck.  We find Potato Patch Falls in a "u"-shaped gorge much like Munising, Tannery, and Memorial Falls.  Generally, this is a seasonal falls or more obvious after a rain.  During our visit, we see some water flowing over the lip of the sandstone ridge and falling into a small pool of water at its base.

Potato Patch Falls

We drive to Sand Point and hike the easy half mile, handicap accessible Marsh Trail.

 Map of Marsh Trail

This is a wetland area – prime mosquito territory. While the Apple Blossom is Michigan’s State Flower and the White Pine is our State Tree, the mosquito would probably be Michigan’s State Insect.  We are prepared and spray insect repellent on us before hitting the trail.

Marsh Trail

Dwarf Iris along the Marsh Trail

The end of Winter ... no bugs now!

Wetlands along the Marsh Trail

Sometimes my hubby likes to get away from the crowds and find a quieter place to hike.  During our fall 2017 trip, we drive east on H-58 to Little Beaver Road.  It's a three mile drive down the hilly dirt road winding its way through a maple forest to the parking lot.

Next to the restrooms is the beginning of the one mile White Pines Nature Loop Trail.  We begin hiking this trail.

 Trail Sign

Trail

Soon, we encounter a fork in the trail.  Going to the left follows the nature trail while the trail to the right will go to Lake Superior.  We decide to take the trail to Lake Superior.  We cross a short wooden foot bridge and continue hiking the dirt trail.

Footbridge

Along the trail are some large rock walls with overhangs and shallow caves.

 Textured Rock Walls

Shallow Caves

The trail continues into the Beaver Basin Wilderness.

The trail ends at Lake Superior but the view is obstructed by a row of trees.  There is a steep sandy path down to the lake shore.  We don't go to the beach because it's getting late.  According to the trail information this was a three mile (round trip) hike.

View of Lake Superior

Within the Park there are campgrounds and picnic areas.  Any other type of food or lodging would be available in the “gateway” communities of Munising or Grand Marais.  They are about 49 miles apart via H-58 and about 60 miles apart via M-28E and M-77N.

Munising (population 2,327 as of 2013) offers several national chain hotels and some locally operated lodgings.  You will find a few national chain fast food restaurants and some locally operated restaurants. 

Grand Marais (population 387 as of 2014) has limited lodging – all locally owned.  There are very few dining options. 

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on food and lodging.

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To begin planning your memorable trip to Pictured Rocks NLS, please click on the following link

Plan Your Visit to PRNLS

For information on the Pictured Rocks Scenic Cruise tours, please click on the following link:

Pictured Rocks Cruises