Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Activities

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  Boating

  Lake Superior's rugged shoreline invites boaters to explore the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with its miles of colorful sandstone cliffs and long stretches of white sand beach. Peaceful inland lakes also invite boaters to linger in the northwoods. Motorized boats, kayaks, canoes and Personal Watercraft can be operated on various watersources along the lakeshore. Horsepower is limited to 50 on Grand Sable Lake while only electric motors may be used on Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake. Due to horsepower restrictions, PWC are not allowed on inland lakes within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Boat launching ramps are located at several points along the lakeshore, some of which are quite shallow. Backcountry permits are required for overnight boaters. All boaters are advised to be VERY cautious while boating on Lake Superior, where the weather can change suddenly. Consult the marine weather forecast before venturing out. Watch the weather carefully while on the lake.

  Pictured Rocks Cruises, Inc., is the authorized concessioner for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, for offering non-stop boat tours of the Pictured Rocks cliffs. Pictured Rocks Cruises operates from mid-May to mid-October.

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  Bird Watching

  Birds at the park include a variety of migratory and nesting perching birds as well as bald eagle, osprey, raven, and barred owl and broad-winged hawks.

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  Bicycling

  Bicycles are permitted on the visitor use roads when traveling with the flow of traffic. Bicycles, including mountain bikes, are not permitted on trails within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

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  Camping

  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore campsites provide a picnic table, fire grate, and tent pad. Solar-powered wells provide water. Vault toilets are available. Camping is on a first come, first-served basis with an overnight fee with lakeside sites at Twelvemile Beach Campground. Holders of the America The Beautiful Senior Pass and the America The Beautiful Access Pass receive a discount. Weather permitting, campground services are normally available and fees collected beginning the Friday on or just prior to May 15 through the Monday on or just after October 31. The campgrounds may be used year round. Because of the popularity of these campgrounds, a mid-morning arrival is suggested. You may also wish to identify an nearby campground in your plans as the Lakeshore campgrounds are often full, especially on weekends and all of July and August. Accessible campsites are available at each campground and are reserved for disabled campers until 6 p.m. each evening. If they are not filled by 6 p.m., other campers may occupy the disabled accessible campsite for that night only. The lakeshore's campgrounds are rustic and do not have electric, telephone, water, or sewer hookups. Typically there is no cell phone reception.

  The Lake Superior shoreline also provides a spectacular place for backcountry camping, hiking, and relaxation. Hikers are rewarded with exhilarating views and opportunities for personal challenge and introspection. Campers must stay in designated backcountry campgrounds, located at two to five mile intervals along the trail. Each campground has a specific capacity; individual campsites within each backcountry campground are identified by a numbered post. Permits are required. Pets are not permitted. Fires are permitted only in community fire rings at the campgrounds; however, fires are not allowed at the Mosquito River and Chapel Beach campgrounds. All backcountry campsites are available for advance reservations.

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  Fishing

  With its many streams, inland lakes, and Lake Superior, the lakeshore offers a variety of fishing opportunities. Common cool water game fish include smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, whitefish, menominee and smelt. Trout species include brook trout, rainbow trout, lake trout and coho salmon. State of Michigan fishing regulations apply, including creel limits, license requirements, and seasons. However, special restrictions apply to bait to prevent VHS, a deadly fish disease.

  A percentage of steelhead in the Hurricane, Sevenmile and Mosquito drainages have been implanted with a 1 inch long electronic tag to identify fish movement. The tag is free in the body cavity and should be easily observed when cleaning your catch. If you have found a PIT tag in the body cavity of a brook trout or steelhead, please take the tag to a park, forest, wildlife refuge, or DNR office.

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  Hiking

  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers some 90 miles of trails within its 73,000 acres along 42 miles of Lake Superior's south shore. No matter what length, any hike is more fun if you are properly prepared. Always wear sturdy shoes. If you plan to be out an extended time, let someone know where you are going and your expected time of return. Carry a map and compass, and know how to use them. Lake Superior modifies local weather - be prepared for cool conditions and rain. Pets are permitted only on specific trails. Please check the Pets site bulletin before you plan your hike. Bicycles are not permitted on trails. Please use toilets where provided. Otherwise, bury waste 4-6 inches deep and cover with mineral soil. Thank you for carrying out your trash.

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  Historic Sites

  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore interprets the stories associated with the U.S. Lighthouse Service, U.S. Life Saving Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Facilities at Munising, Sand Point, Au Sable Point, and Grand Marais are dedicated to this history. They date from 1874 at the Au Sable Light Station through 1975 at the Munising Range Light, and include contemporary aids to navigation.

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  Hunting

  Hunting is permitted within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in accordance with federal migratory bird laws and federal and State of Michigan regulations. The most hunting activities are for white-tailed deer, grouse, woodcock, bear, and snowshoe hare. Whether archery, muzzle loading, or firearms, hunters find ample hunting opportunities from grown-over farm fields to backcountry cedar swamps. The hunting season begins in mid-September with bear and grouse seasons and continues through the winter with snowshoe hare season. A Michigan hunting license is required, and is available in local communities. Appropriate waterfowl stamps (state and federal) may also be required. No person may discharge a firearms or bow and arrow within a safety zone of 450 feet from an occupied dwelling, building, cabin, camp, or campground.

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  Picnicking

  Picnicking is open throughout the park. Picnic tables are supplied at campsites.

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  Water Sports

  Water skiing is authorized on Lake Superior and Grand Sable Lake in accordance with state and federal laws. On Grand Sable Lake, horsepower is limited to 50. There are no lifeguarded beaches at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or its surrounding communities. Rip currents can and do occur, and may change locations from year to year.

  Some of the best scuba diving in the Midwest can be found in and around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Snorkeling and scuba diving are permitted throughout the lakeshore. Scuba diving is popular in Lake Superior, especially within the Alger Underwater Preserve, a state preserve created to protect the submerged cultural resources. State and federal regulations prohibit the removal or disturbance of relics, artifacts, or historic features.

  Please use extreme caution if you choose to venture into Lake Superior waters.

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  Wildlife Watching

  Though animal life is abundant within the Lakeshore, visitors often do not see many animals during their visit beyond chipmunks and perching birds. A walk down park trails may reveal bear scat, a pile of pine cone bracts from a feeding red squirrel, or the chatter of a chipmunk.

  Animal life in this varied habitat of wetland, sand dune, cliff, and northern hardwood forests includes white-tailed deer, black bear, wolves, and an occasional moose. Fisher, mink, marten, beaver, skunk, red squirrel, and numerous species of small mammals such as shrews and mice inhabit various Lakeshore habitats.

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  Winter Sports

  Winter at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore brings solitude and beauty to the northwoods. From late November through mid-April, the Upper Peninsula is blanketed with snow. This is your winter wonderland for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, winter camping, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.