Things To Do

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.

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.

The Pictured Rocks cliffs rise 50 to 200 feet directly from the lake, offering precious few protected places if the wind and waves increase.

Motorized Boats
Motorized boats are permitted on Grand Sable Lake and Lake Superior. Boats and motors of any size are permitted on Lake Superior. However, horsepower is limited to 50 on Grand Sable Lake. There is a shallow boat ramp on Grand Sable Lake.

Only electric motors may be used on Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake. Little Beaver Lake has a shallow boat ramp. Other inland lakes do not have boat ramps.

Boats may be launched into Lake Superior at the City of Munising's Browns Addition boat ramp. Burt Township maintains a boat ramp in Grand Marais harbor. There is a small boat ramp at Sand Point, but it is very shallow.

Canoes and Small Boats
Beaver Lake, Little Beaver Lake, and Grand Sable Lake are favorites for small boats and canoes. Only electric motors may be used on Little Beaver and Beaver Lakes. Legion Lake, Miners Lake, and Chapel Lake are accessible only by carrying your canoe.

Most rivers are too shallow for canoeing. Lake Superior can be rough, and small craft are easily swamped.

Backcountry permits are required for overnight boaters.

Personal Watercraft
Personal watercraft (PWC) may travel within the lakeshore from the western boundary near Sand Point to the eastern terminus of Miners Beach. PWC may be launched from the Sand Point boat ramp. PWC are not permitted elsewhere within the lakeshore's one-quarter mile offshore jurisdiction along the Lake Superior shoreline.

Due to horsepower restrictions, PWC are not allowed on inland lakes within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

According to State of Michigan law, PWC must not operate from one hour before sunset to 8 a.m. When traveling within 200 feet of the shoreline, PWC must travel at a slow/no-wake speed perpendicular to the shoreline.

Personal Watercraft Final Rule for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, as published in the Federal Register (pdf)

Water Skiing
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.

Private Tours
Two privately-operated cruise boat lines leave Munising Bay daily.  Their excursions are cover different topics.  For more information, please contact the boat companies or the Alger Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured Rocks Cruises operates from late May to mid-October. 

Shipwreck Tours operates from June 1 to early October.

Things To Do

Outdoor opportunities are enjoyed year-round at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Spring brings wildflowers to photograph and fish to catch. Summer offers picnicking, boating, hiking, and camping. Autumn brings a vibrant display of colors as hunters take to the north woods. Winter visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

The Pictured Rocks cliffs stretch for 15 miles from near Sand Point to beyond Spray Falls where they give way to the white sands of Twelvemile Beach. The Grand Sable Dunes rise high above the Lake Superior near Grand Marais.

Visitors enjoy the sights and serenity of this beautiful area on Lake Superior in many different ways ... what's your favorite?

Outdoor Activities

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is your four season recreation destination with opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and many winter activities.

At Pictured Rocks, you will find some of the best hiking around. You can choose from short trails or long, easy or vigorous. Trails provide spectacular vistas of lakes, cliffs, dunes, and waterfalls.

Whatever your outdoor activity, always plan your excursion beforehand. let someone know your destination, carry water and food, and be prepared for rain and sudden weather changes. Enjoy!

Swimming & Diving

Swimming and Wading
The clean and clear waters of Lake Superior are tempting, though the water is typically cold for even the hardiest swimmers.

Visitors enjoy peaceful strolls along the lakeshore's white sand beaches, including Sand Point, Miners, and Twelvemile.

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.

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

Beach fires are only permitted in the designated metal fire ring at Sand Point; fires are not allowed on other beaches.  Glass containers are prohibited on all beaches.  Please help keep our beaches clean.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
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.

Always use a dive flag to mark your location.

Kayaking

Miles of colorful sandstone cliffs from 50-200 feet high rising from directly from Lake Superior's rugged shoreline and long stretches of white sand beach invite kayakers to explore the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Within the national lakeshore, put-in points for kayaks are Sand Point, Miners Beach, Twelvemile Beach and Hurricane River. Additional put-in points in the Munising area include Grand Island Landing, Munising City Marina, Munising/Brown's Addition boat ramp, and the Anna River. In Grand Marais, you may launch at the Grand Marais harbor beach and marina.

Lake Superior is unpredictable! Kayakers must be prepared for cold temperatures, high winds, fog, and rough seas that may occur at any time. Be constantly alert to changing conditions and should consult the current marine forecast before starting any trip (NOAA 1-906-475-5212 or Marine Band Radio Channel 16).

A backcountry camping permit is required for overnight stays at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Reservations are possible, and there is a fee for backcountry camping. Pets are not permitted in the lakeshore's backcountry.

Campgrounds easiest to identify from Lake Superior are Mosquito Beach, Chapel Beach, Beaver Creek, and Sevenmile Creek. Other campgrounds (Coves, Pine Bluff, Benchmark, and Au Sable Point East) have special markers -- three wood posts at beach level -- to identify them from the water. Backcountry campgrounds NOT accessible from Lake Superior are Cliffs, Potato Patch, Coves group site, Trappers Lake, and Masse Homestead.

Front country drive-in campgrounds also accessible by kayak from Lake Superior are Twelvemile Beach and lower Hurricane River. These campgrounds are first-come, first-serve only; no reservations.