Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Visitor Services
Visitor Centers
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore / Hiawatha National Forest Interagency Visitor Center
906-387-3700
400 East Munising Avenue, junction of state highway M-28 and county road H-58 in Munising.
Open year round, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and holidays from mid-September until Memorial Day weekend.
Open daily during the summer months with extended hours.
Lakeshore visitors are encouraged to stop first the Interagency Visitor Center. Here you can obtain information on a variety of recreation resources in the lakeshore, the Hiawatha National Forest, and the general area. The center also maintains schedules of interpretive activities presented by Park and Forest Rangers.
The visitor center features attractive exhibits and a Hiawatha Interpretive Association sales area where visitors can purchase posters, clothing, and a variety of publications that will foster a greater understanding of the region.
Grand Sable Visitor Center
906-494-2660
E21090 County Road H-58
One mile west of Grand Marais, Michigan, on Co. Road H-58
Open late May through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nestled at the foot of the Grand Sable Dunes, the Grand Sable Visitor Center is located near the eastern gateway to the lakeshore and at the beginning of the Lakeshore segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
A Park Ranger is on duty to assist hikers, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts with information geared at making their stay more enjoyable. The lakeshore's cooperating association, Eastern National, operates a bookstore here.
Munising Falls Interpretive Center
906-387-4310
1505 Sand Point Road, across from Munising Memorial Hospital
Open daily, mid-June through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Located next to Munising Falls, the interpretive center features displays on the rich natural and cultural history of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Exhibits on early iron smelting at the Schoolcraft Blast Furnace, geology, forest history, rare and endangered species, logging, and recreation portray the diversity of America's first national lakeshore.
A Park Ranger is on duty to assist visitors with planning and enjoying their trip. The center also includes a small Eastern National bookstore.
Miners Castle Information Station
No phone
N9319 Miners Castle Road, 6 miles north of county road H-58 at Miners Castle
Open daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At Miners Castle, there are paved trails to several overlooks, wayside exhibits, restrooms, and access to the North Country Trail National Scenic Trail. The Miners Castle Information Station includes a small Eastern National bookstore.
Au Sable Light Station Information Center
No phone
Located at the Au Sable Light Station, 12 miles west (drive) of Grand Marais to the Hurricane River Campground then 1.5 miles (walk) east.
Open July 1 to late August, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday
Slated to open in the summer of 2008, this information center will feature the history and current operation of the Au Sable Light Station. Guided tours of the double keepers quarters and light tower are available during July and August. There is a small fee for the guided tour.
Lakeshore Headquarters
906-387-2607
N8391 Sand Point Road, 4 miles NE of Munising
Open year-round, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Park Headquarters is located in the former Munising U.S. Coast Guard Station at Sand Point. In the summer, the boathouse is open with maritime displays including a 36-foot self-righting motor lifeboat. The Sand Point Marsh Trail is located nearby.
Accessibility
The Interagency Visitor Center, Munising Falls Interpretive Center, and Miners Castle Information Station in Munising plus the Grand Sable Visitor Center in Grand Marais are all disabled accessible.
Each drive-in campground has at least one handicapped accessible campsite. Campsites include an extended picnic table, boardwalk, pedestal fire grate, and close proximity to rest rooms. These campsites are reserved for disabled campers until 6 p.m. each day. After 6 p.m., they are open to anyone for one night only and must be vacated the next morning. Holders of Golden Age Passports (62 and older) and Golden Access Passports (disabled) receive a 50 percent discount on the campground user fee.
The trail to the Log Slide overlook is densely packed gravel and is accessible. The overlook is also accessible. Trail length is approximately 200 yards.
Trails to all overlooks at Miners Castle are paved. The first 100 yards of the level trail lead to two overlooks of the cliffs and Miners Castle. CAUTION! The trail to the lower overlooks includes stairs and a very steep decline.
The 800 foot long trail to the Munising Falls viewing platform is paved and fully accessible.
The half-mile disabled accessible boardwalk at the Sand Point Marsh Trail is a delight to nature lovers. The trail meanders through cattail swamp, open bog, spruce-tamarack, and white cedar wetlands. A large print trail guide is available at the trailhead.
At Sand Point, the beach parking area and sidewalks are paved. One picnic table is fully accessible with a pedestal fire grate. A section of boardwalk enables visitors to go part of the way to the Lake Superior shoreline.
Post Office
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located on the south shore of Lake Superior between the communities of Munising and Grand Marais.
There are several post offices in the area:
- E21815 Grand Marais Avenue, Grand Marais, Michigan 49839
- 10790N Grand Street, Seney, Michigan 49883
- E12503 State Highway M-28, Shingleton, Michigan 49884
- E9714 State Highway M-28, Wetmore, Michigan 49895
- 220 Elm Avenue, Munising, Michigan 49862
Goods & Services
Looking for a post office, gas station, grocery store, or hospital? All of these services are available in communities near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
These links may help you find goods and services in the area.
Alger County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 405, 501 M-28 East
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-2138
www.algercounty.org
Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 139
Grand Marais, MI 49839
(906) 494-2447
www.grandmaraismichigan.com
Munising Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 421
Munising, MI 49862
www.munising.org
Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association
P.O. Box 400
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
(906) 774-5480
www.uptravel.com
Lodging
Within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, lodging is limited to drive-in campgrounds and backcountry campgrounds. There are no trail shelters or other lodging.
Lodging is available in the nearby gateway communities of Munising and Grand Marais. Campgrounds with electricity, water and sewer hookups, etc., are also available. Please contact these organizations for further information.
Alger County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 405, 501 M-28 East
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-2138
www.algercounty.org
Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 139
Grand Marais, MI 49839
(906) 494-2447
www.grandmaraismichigan.com
Munising Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 421
Munising, MI 49862
www.munising.org
Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association
P.O. Box 400
Iron Mountain,MI 49801
(906) 774-5480
www.uptravel.com
Pictured Rocks In Depth
News from the Parks
Obama's Chili Recipe
January 7, 2009 - 1:14pm
By now it's a well-known fact that Hillary doesn't bake cookies, but Barack has been known to brag about his chili, and today Good Morning America ran the recipe. Obama Family Chili Recipe 1 large onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped Several cloves of garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground turkey or beef 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground basil 1 tablespoon chili powder 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped 1 can red kidney beans Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. Add red wine vinegar. Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down. Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes. Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
January 7, 2009 - 1:14pm
By now it's a well-known fact that Hillary doesn't bake cookies, but Barack has been known to brag about his chili, and today Good Morning America ran the recipe. Obama Family Chili Recipe 1 large onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped Several cloves of garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground turkey or beef 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground basil 1 tablespoon chili powder 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped 1 can red kidney beans Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. Add red wine vinegar. Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down. Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes. Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
Colorado Section of Vast Bike Network is 1,000 Miles
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
A Trip to Yosemite National Park via YARTS is a Must for Valley Residents
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
Nene Killed on the Road in Haleakala National Park
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
