It's not a horribly difficult hike, the trail is well marked, but it is quite steep and rocky near…read morethe summit. In the winter, the parking lot is plowed so it's still easy to get to. Ice cleats make the final climb much easier in the winter as it can get very icy near the summit. The view from the top is stunning in every season.

BRING GOOD SHOES. I've only hiked it in winter. It's a fun and STEEP hike! To me, not beginner…read morefriendly. In winter, you need to be careful on the top because she gets SLIPPERY. Climbing up can be dangerous depending on the snow. Definitely encourage a group hike than a single. 2 people is probably fine Going downhill in winter should be a universal experience for the upper peninsula community. Bring a sled if you can. I had immense fun and love talking about it. Do NOT hike while it is snowing or very windy. It's definitely possible to get lost (applies to any hike tbh) it's a great workout though! I WOULD hike again

Miners Falls is another great, relatively easy hike that can be done by all skill levels and I…read morewould highly recommend it as well during your Pictured Rocks trip, either before or after you make a stop at Miners Castle as well. Clocking it at 1.2 miles, it takes about half an hour to complete out and back. Miners Falls is way bigger and grander than Munising Falls, so it's definitely impressive and worth the hike out. You aren't able to get as close to it as you do to Munising Falls, you view it from 2 different viewing platforms across a wide river, but it's still impressive just the same. The hike is more intensive. It's mostly shallow, sometimes steeper in areas decline through forest on the way there, but that just means that you know the way back is going to be a constant uphill, which is a bit killer. Total elevation gain here is about 150 feet. Great part about this hike is that the trail is so WIDE, tons of space to walk and be distant from other people, not that this trail was even all that heavily trafficked by any means. When you get to the falls, the first viewpoint you get to really doesn't give you a good view. For both viewpoints, you are already looking down at the falls, and the first viewpoint, which is much higher up, is blocked by trees and at too high of an angle for you to appreciate much of anything. So it's imperative that you head to viewpoint #2, which is down one final series of steep stairs. From this viewing platform, you get a great, impressive view of the falls, get a moment to take pictures, catch your breath, before you embark on the not-so-long-but-sort-of-feels-long-because-it's-all-uphill journey back up to the parking lot. I was definitely breathing hard by the time I got to the parking lot, but it was a great, short hike to do! It really didn't hurt either that there was gorgeous fall foliage all along the road leading into the Miners Falls parking lot and spots of color along the entire hike as well. Can't be anything but happy when looking at fall rolling in! :)

Okay so here is another decent/worthwhile waterfall to visit within Pictured Rocks National…read moreLakeshore. This is Miners Falls. And...it's really easy to find and hike to. From the trailhead it's a 0.6 mile walk along a gravel path. And the 0.6-mile stroll to Miners Falls takes you throughout an incredibly pleasant and tranquil forest setting. Even before I arrived at the falls, I was grabbing pictures on the walk being immersed in lush green trees and vegetations of the woodsy outdoors. Miners Falls is about a 50-foot waterfall that's one of the more majestic flowing falls you'll find in the small town of Munising, Michigan...and Munising is sort of the host town of Pictured Rocks NL. In Munising, you'll discover a bunch of other scenic waterfalls like Alger Falls, Chapel Falls, Munising Falls, Mosquito Falls and Horseshoe Falls to name a few. You can plug all these waterfalls into Google Maps on your phone to specifically locate them. Cell phone reception in Munising works just fine. Now, one of my issues with this Miners Falls and I know I'm nitpicking...is that once walk the 0.6 mile...you can only view the falls from an observation deck. And...this overlook platform had guardrails installed as high up as your waste. So...when trying to take optimal photos of Miners Falls for yourself and or family...you're sort of held hostage to these guardrails. It's sort of like you're being photobombed by a stranger but instead it's really the tiny platform and guardrails that taint the experience. Most visitors here at the overlook were taking selfie pics, which for myself...isn't worth the time. So, I gladly took a picture or two of Miners Falls before returning back towards the trailhead. I guess just in the end I'm a narcissistic person and I want myself in every picture to officially claim that I've "been there, done that", lol. Oh well, this miniscule platform vista point and the guardrails were out of my control. Here was another frustrating aspect... I was visiting back at the end of May 2021 and the parking lot and hike to the falls were pretty busy. In fact, it was congested enough to the point that there was a crowded line of people just waiting to step onto the observation area. And because the platform barely allowed tourists to step foot on it together at one time, the wait was about 10 minutes to get that photographic memory. Wow I thought to myself...this is a popular part to the Pictured Rocks NL area. And just a side note...when I was here this past summer, it was free to explore and hike to all the waterfalls. But for the 2022 travel season, starting on March 1, there'll be a $10 fee for visitors which will eventually over time get raised to $25. So, yes...people are coming. National parks, monuments, lakeshores, state parks, hikes and trails are all getting busier each year. Be prepared for maybe eventually losing that true essence for being outside in the heart of nature. Tourists are coming in droves and it's not stopping anytime soon. Anyways...finally, I got my time at the overlook deck for a quick couple of photos before yielding to the people behind me. Miners Falls was pretty impressive when looking down upon it. I just wished that the hiking path continued down towards the base of the falls because in my opinion...there's nothing like looking up at a scenic waterfall as the prime attraction within a scenic backdrop. Welp...lol, sorry for all my venting. From here at Miners Falls, I continued onto Munising Falls, about a 9-mile drive away. And yeah...once again, Munising Falls was simply a 0.5 mile walk each way to and from an observation deck, but at least the platform there allowed more space to accommodate tourists. Lastly, although I never found true fulfillment from the viewing platform looking down at Miners Falls, I still enjoyed the hike through the forest and simply getting a chance to witness another waterfall here at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in the UP - Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Such a great day! Easy to find, excellent free parking and pit toilet available. Choices on how…read morestrenuous you want to be on your way to the top. Gorgeous hike awaits! Walkable for all ages, enjoy canopies of trees, wooden stairs with handrails and informative signs along the way. Then you reach the top and it should take your breath away! So worth it! Various wood deck platforms, facing different directions provide safe viewing and unforgettable vistas! Trust me, it's special.

Sooooo beautiful! The perfect distance of a hike for families. The kids can keep up, the parents…read moreenjoy it. The view is just breathtaking. I will never get used to it. Must visit when in the UP

Alger Falls is a quick 5-minute roadside stop convenient for checking off another waterfall here in…read moreMunising, Michigan. I tell ya...I can't get over how cool of a town Munising, Michigan is. Situated at one end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you can spend an entire day simply stopping at all the waterfalls within the area. And funny, once you visit and get a picture of one waterfall, it then becomes an obsession. Like some sort of mission to officially announce that you've been to them all, lol, at least that's from my view, hehehe. But...in the big picture around Munising, this Alger Falls is definitely the easiest of all the waterfalls to stop at and grab a fast picture of. It's a no-nonsense pullover, which can often be easily overlooked among the more commonly well-known waterfalls of Munising. In fact, the sign for Alger Falls is so small, it can definitely be missed while driving. But...good thing around town, cell phone reception works perfectly so you can just plug Alger Falls into Google Maps and find your way here. Again...be careful while driving you can easily pass this waterfall. I'd advise to go slowly. Then, pull over your car to the shoulder and that's it. You don't even need to hike anywhere. Alger Falls may not be statuesque or stunning in appearance, but for when I was here in late afternoon, the sun was at my back which reflected well onto the falls. I found the setting to be pretty pleasant. I took a few pictures and then went on my way. It was so simple and because of the time of day and accessibility, I enjoyed coming here. And that's it, a brief moment is all you need to check this waterfall off your To-Do-List without any hassles. Following here at Alger Falls, the next morning I visited Chapel Falls, Mosquito Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Like I said...the town of Munising is "waterfall central" within the UP - Upper Peninsula of Michigan!

Just outside Munising in the lovely Upper Peninsula of Michigan we happened upon this water fall…read moreon the way to our Holiday Inn Hotel. the falls are visible from the road. Nice to not have a hike or stairs to see a water fall. There was some area for cars to pull over. this was our visit time to the Upper P. a lovely trip.

I'd like to mention the West Bluff Scenic View as the featured/primary highlight atop Brockway…read moreMountain and situated at the end of Brockway Mountain Drive. It is 1300 feet above sea level overlooking Lake Superior. Most tourists/visitors will hang out at West Bluff as sort of their reward to appreciate the surroundings hovering above Copper Harbor, MI. I was visiting back in the springtime of 2021 getting ready to take the Queen IV Ferry over to Isle Royale National Park. So...the day prior to my departure I was exploring around the sleepy town of Copper Harbor, Michigan and included this Brockway Mountain Drive as part of my activities. To arrive at the West Bluff Scenic View...you simply drive this 4-mile paved Brockway Mountain Drive until it can't go any further. And, the road begins just outside downtown Copper Harbor. While on the drive, I suggest first stopping at the Copper Harbor Overlook about 1/4 of a mile into the trek up the mountain. It can't be missed on the left hand side of the road and there'll be a scenic observation deck for you to admire the setting of the area. This overlook I believe is even better than the sceneries at West Bluff Scenic View. And between these two vista point spots, there's really no other landmark/attractions worthy of exiting your car for along the 4-mile road. Overall, the ambiance at West Bluff Scenic View was pleasant. I could envision how really picturesque the sights would be during autumn when the leaves start changing colors. In the end the landscape is good enough for hanging out 15 - 20 minutes and breathing in the fresh Upper Peninsula Michigan air. And Brockway Mountain Drive will take you about an hour or so to complete. It's short and simple.

This drive is S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G in the fall…read more The colors, during peak time, are breathtaking. More than a few times my husband and I just repeated "WOW WOW WOW" to each other as we drove through. At the peak you can get a really incredible, nearly 360 view of the area below and Lake Superior and in the fall the colors are spectacular. Especially on a sunny day. FYI it can get pretty windy up there! And since it's near the lake you'll get that lake effect wind and temperature so plan for a few degrees cooler than you would experience in town. And also make sure your hat, if you're wearing one, is tightly upon your noggin or you'll have to do like I did and chase it down when it blows off!

Not even a half mile loop (0.4 mi to be exact), this outlook is extremely friendly to all skill…read morelevels and a perfect place to stretch your legs, get a grant vantage point overlooking the Big Bay/Marquette, and a must-visit for when the fall foliage is at its peak in this area! Follow the signs and begin the loop on the left. The trail winds through forest and there will be a slight incline for a bit, but will soon even out, and you're basically at the peak at that point. The overlook area is well maintained, but basically fully exposed to the elements as you emerge from the trees, with railing and additional steps up to the top of the literal rock where you will be above most trees and you get a great view overlooking the bay. There are picnic tables at the top, so it's also a great place to have a little lunch or snack on a good day. Once you're ready to head down, continue to follow the path you took and the trail will soon begin its decline and before you know it, you're back in the parking lot where you started. There are cute little informational posts placed throughout the trail for you to read up on the wildlife and flora/fauna located on the trail. Total elevation gain on this trail is 50 feet, which I believe includes the steps up to the top of the rock, which is optional, but highly encouraged for the views.

The trail is quick (I jogged the full loop while stopping for photos and viewing in about 10…read moreminutes without shortcuts). There is a decent lookout, it reminded me of the mountain pass view by Copper Harbor, and if you run to the top of the stairs you will find a picnic table atop what I assume is Thomas' rock. There are some short, but sturdy, bridges and lots of flipping info signs all over the trail along with many chipmunks. I assume there are no bears there because the trash cans were all open tops. Yellow Dog falls are nearby also, but be prepared for an hour of dirt roads if you do that one.

yo go get elevated at michigans highest point. no bathrooms but hey, u betcha its a nice view of…read morethe keweenaw bay, 4x4 needed but da parking lot lets u know ur there mann

This is the highest point in Michigan at 1,979ft. Getting here involves travelling down sparsely…read moremarked dirt logging roads for 8 miles (about 40 minutes), so a GPS definitely your friend for navigating here. I would not recommend coming here without one, since there is no cell service if you get lost. At the top there is a small parking lot, and a short trail that leads to the marker as well as a vista to look out over the trees. There is a mailbox with a logbook inside, and also a picnic table and grill, if you need it. There is some good hiking on the adjacent logging roads, if you are adventurous.

Well kept trails and beautiful scenery! Have been driving past this spot for most of my life and…read morerecently a friend hiked it and showed photos....gorgeous! Easy access and the vistas along the trails offer beautiful landscapes indicative of the great Upper Peninsula:)

Pete's Lake is an amazing campground on a beautiful lake with plenty of hiking. However, it was far…read morefrom peaceful. Having camped in rustic campgrounds for nearly 30 years, we were shocked with the amount of noise that we experienced. Thoughout the day and into the night there were generators running, barking dogs, and stereos playing with excess bass. A large family group of 50 or so, with 11 of the 41 sites, used a site in the middle of the campground as their congregating place, being loud with music and voices well past the 10:00 quiet hours (ranging from 11-12:30) and needed to be asked to be quiet three of the four nights that we were there.