The trail if you are up for it, is good. It's lengthy and windy and many ups and down. Definitely good for sneakers or hiking boots, maybe even a hiking stick for some leverage on the inclines. Make sure as with any walks or hikes, bring water to keep yourself hydrated. As the walk will leave you parched as you go up and down small hills. It's good either way to get some fresh air, not the urban air either. Happy hiking and see cool stuff! You can drive close to by the Sand Point, Miners Castle other stops along the shore. read more

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One of the most beautiful places in Michigan, I highly recommend both the shorter hike to Miners falls and the longer hike on Chapel loop. If you don't hike, I recommend driving to Miners castle. I am a local and I hike the Chapel loop twice a year because the views never get old. I go in early Spring and late Fall because it isn't as crowded then. read more

I've visited Pictured Rocks multiple times. The trails range in difficulty levels and length. I would say the easiest is Munising Falls, as it's 800 ft from the visitor center and the main trail is paved with asphalt with some wooden bridge areas and pretty flat. The other trails can be as long as you want them to be-you can string a bunch of them together to make a super long hike. Hiking along the cliffs is definitely worth it. The cliffs are beautiful with carved out sea cave areas and rock collapses, and the color of the cliffs are flat out gorgeous. Just be sure to bring mosquito repellent. The visitor center at Munising Falls is newly renovated and a bit bare, without a gift shop or exhibits. They're probably going to be adding that soon since the lobby is large and empty for now. The park ranger is friendly and helpful to make up for it. Next time I'll probably do a boat cruise so I can get another vantage point to admire the shores! read more

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A beautiful landmark. Recommend exploring though a combination of hiking, driving and a boat cruise out of munising. Truly a gem!

Pictured Rocks has been on my bucket list for many years. I've been to the upper Peninsula a few times, but I've never made it to this area. This is most certainly a popular attraction for tourists and if you get the opportunity book a sunset cruise to view the rocks. The entire area is full of unique trails to hike with stunning views of Lake Superior. I'm looking forward to coming back next summer. read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Parks Near Me - Munising, Michigan

My husband and I visited Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in September 2023 with our 2 dogs. We made sure that we respected the rules for pets within the area. We both wanted to see Chapel Rock, but it wasn't dog friendly - so each of us hiked it alone while the other sat in the car with the dogs in the parking lot. There were many people who did not respect the rules regarding pets in these areas. We definitely enjoyed our time in this lovely place. There is so much to see ! read more

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I'm not rating the actual pictured rocks, which you can see on a boat tour without entering the park, but I felt that charging $25 for this park was a ripoff. Most of it is a winding road in the woods with views of trees. There are a few pull-offs where you can hike to a view, a couple waterfalls, some beaches, but honestly it didn't feel like I was in a special place worth paying $25 for. read more

Was a nice visit. We went and walked the many sandbars that were available!!! Loved it!!!

Lots of nice trails, easy to follow. Good signage. Beautiful waterfalls and lake views. Trails and facilities in good condition. Entry fee of $25/car seemed well worth it for 7 day access. Be aware that cell service is spotty in this part of the state. read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Lake Superior - Parks Near Me - Munising, Michigan

What words can I say here that will do this lakeshore justice? I genuinely don't know! Just do your heart, mind, and spirit a favor and visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It's gorgeous, in all seasons, and in all weather conditions. It's called Lake Superior for a reason. It's a NATIONAL lakeshore for a reason. This place is magnificent & truly deserves to be one of the crowning jewels of Michigan. There is so much to do all the outdoor activities here - backpack, camp, cruise, hike, do all the beach things, swim, dance, laugh, and soak up the sun and the stars. It's everything and more. The drive through Pictured Rocks on H-58 is also absolutely stunning. There is so much to do, I could spend an entire week here. I love coming back here each time I visit and each time I discover more and more beauty, activities, and fall even more head over heels for this place xoxo read more

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My family decided to come here for a little bit of fun while up north and we were blown away by the natural beauty all around us. The chapel loop was very memorable. We loved the portion of the trail where it looked like an actual jungle ! The only bone I have to pick with the chapel loop is the 3 mile stretch in the middle of the chapel loop where we were overwhelmed with the amount of black flies swarming us. No amount of bug spray was helping . Still would recommend this just make sure you load up on the fly and tick repellent read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is situated in the UP - Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I discovered it on a whim while trying to drive what I researched was "Shipwreck Coast". But...to my mistake, Pictured Rocks NL actually composes a portion of the entire Shipwreck Coast. And...this scenic and colorful national lakeshore runs for about 50 miles between the towns of Grand Marais, MI and Munising MI. I was traveling from west to east (Grand Marais to Munising) and would just like to relay some of the pretty sights and surroundings I witnessed along my journey. Btw...also along Pictured Rocks, NL and especially in the town of Munising, there are tons of roadside waterfalls that make the entire experience here worthwhile and special. I really appreciated my time and travels along Pictured Rocks and grateful that I happened to find it while foolishly thinking I was navigating traveling along Shipwreck Coast. It was free to drive and explore the lakeshore this past summer of 2021. But...reading now here in this month of January, 2022...they will be implementing a $10 fee starting in March 2022. Goes to show how popular this section of Michigan has become that they need funds to improve the conditions of landmarks and attractions. When I was visiting back at the end of May in 2021, morning times were like 35 degrees outside. Pretty cold before eventually warming up. - Pictured Rocks NL Sign - take a picture. Make it official you have arrived, lol - Sable Falls - a cascading waterfall from a boardwalk observation point. It's a 500-foot walk with 168 stairs to the base of the falls for views. A tranquil setting when no one's around. - Grand Sable Visitor Center - unfortunately it was closed because of the pandemic. But...the VC in Munising was open to grab souvenirs. - Grand Sable Lake Scenic Overlook - a quick 5-minute stop for a picture. Nothing special really to see. You can have a picnic here though. - Log Slide Overlook - along the banks of Lake Superior. I got lucky the sun was in full force and the shores down below had a turquoise greenish tone to them. Very colorful! Be careful...there are warning signs stating do not venture down to the beach shores. It's a 500-foot drop and if you somehow get stuck...it could be hours before they can rescue you. I just hung out at the overlook. - Sable Lighthouse - to arrive here you have to walk 1.5 miles each way through the charming woods. The trail is along flat ground. At the lighthouse...the setting reminded me of being in northern Maine. I sat on the dock a few feet away from the lighthouse and took in the fresh air. - Lake Superior Overlook - pitstop for a view. Just okay. - Pictured Rocks Cliffs Area - this was one of the most popular areas along the 50-mile drive. Very busy and frustrating to have some many tourists around. There are 2 main highlights here and both are next to each other... ----------Miners Castle Overlook - beautiful! Photogenic! Again, stunning waters from the vista point. ----------Lower Overlook - another perspective to admire Lake Superior. *****Now come a ton of waterfall locations and destinations! Who doesn't love waterfalls??? - Miners Falls - scenic walk to the falls. Quick picture from an overlook spot. Crowded! I had to wait in line to snap photos. - Munising Falls - pleasant ambiance. Easy stroll on a boardwalk to an overlook. - Munising Falls Visitor Center - stop in for any brochures or keepsake items. - Wagner Falls - simple boardwalk vista point. - Welcome to Munising Sign - why not grab a picture saying you were in Munising? - Alger Falls - a roadside waterfall. Plug "Alger Falls" into Google Maps to find. Be careful and drive slow it'll appear quickly. This next section is located all together... - Chapel Falls - eh...disappointing, tbh. - Chapel Lake Overlook - nothing really. - Mosquito Falls - pointless? Yet...for these 3 spots they were pretty congested with visitors hanging around. Horseshoe Falls - just outside Munising on private property. A $10 fee to enter. Waterfall was nice. You can also feed fish here on a pond. Good for a picnic if you bring your own lunch. Miners Beach - quiet beach for some relaxation. Some last notes... In Munising I had terrific cell phone reception. Otherwise, along the 50-mile drive from Grand Marais...I had very little connectivity. I camped out at the Bay Furnace Camp and Picnic Grounds. A terrific location for spending nights outdoors right near the town of Christmas, Michigan. Overall, for discovering Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore randomly on my voyage around the UP of Michigan...I was happily surprised and left here with plenty of good memories and moments. In the end I was making my way towards Copper Harbor, MI and Isle Royale National Park. For any outdoors enthusiasts...this scenic coastline along the banks of Lake Superior makes for a fantastic weekend getaway into the heart of nature and the great outdoors. read more

Doesn't really get much better than hiking the National Lakeshore. We've been in the U.P. several times over the years and Pictured Rocks always wows me. This year instead of taking the boat tour, we decide to get up close and personal and hike a stretch of it. To say the views are breathtaking is simply an understatement. Going during off-peak season is also a bonus as we were virtually the only ones on the trails, and we ran into less than a handful of fellow hikers and campers. We hiked the Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via the Channel Loop. It was 12 miles of stellar views, some muddy muck and so much inn general to look at. It was a tiring jaunt but so worth it when we made it back to where we started. This is a hike that is a must if your ever in this area. The pictures do only a smidgen of justice. read more

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There's a calming sense of serenity when venturing the trail in the dead of winter. I saw virtually no one and you're able to view the Pictured Rocks from a different perspective than the usual photo dump of the greenery in full bloom. That being said, parts of the trail can be treacherous in the wintertime, so exercise caution, as some of the Sand Point and Cliffs camp trails will legitimately hug the edge of the rocks. read more

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Before you begin this journey through paradise, I should warn you to be prepared. The sights along the path to the shore are jaw droppingly beautiful. I highly suggest wearing comfortable shoes for hiking, and ones you do not mind getting dirty. I suggest bringing a small backpack or shoulder bag that can fit necessary essentials. I felt terrible for the couple behind us because they were bitten by tons of mosquitos and we offered them some spray. Be sure to bring mosquito spray, sunscreen, water, and perhaps a beach towel. We used a nice shoulder tote that has a mini cooler at the bottom. It was not too heavy to carry, and it had all of our essentials. When you begin the journey down to the shores, it can be very confusing. They are signs along the way to help you navigate. The couple behind us ended up splitting off by going right instead as we were not sure which way to go. They ended up having to come back up to take the correct route. When we met them up at the shores, they informed us that the other route was not one you could navigate. The ground was a bit wet in some spots and muddy, so you have to walk carefully. Also, it can be narrow in quite a few spots. I must admit that I am very out of shape and the journey down was quite exhausting. However, I did enjoy the beautiful scenic route towards the water. I saw amazing and beautiful rocks. There were tons and tons of trees and plants everywhere. We got to walk along wooden paths created, with plants on both sides. It was an amazing experience. Once we reached the point of running down the sand towards the water, we felt a sense of accomplishment. You could feel the breeze from the water on the hill. The water was clear and beautiful. The sand was pretty much empty, aside from 4 teenagers to the right of us. It was like having your own secret paradise all to yourself. Going back up was tough, but manageable. It was well worth the trip down though. It was quiet and a beautiful experience. I would definitely do it again. read more

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Pretty, pretty good Not five stars, but worth visit Prefer the Porkies For a place that is really in the middle of nowhere, they sure do pack them in here. The park was jam packed when I was there this past weekend. Long line to get to the viewing platform to see the falls. Hard to find parking at some of the stops. I only visited a small portion of the park - the westernmost part that is close to Munising. I visited the Porcupine Mountains Park a number of years ago and gave that a five. This was not as impressive as that so four stars here. One pro was there was no admission fee - not sure if that is all the time or just due to COVID. Cons - signage getting there is poor and no visitor center that I could find - likely would not have been open if there was one anyways with the pandemic and all. read more

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Pleasant NPS site. Cool rock formations. Nice hiking. The main attractions are quite busy. Limited infrastructure for NPS site and what does exist seems to lack maintenance. Visitor centers have limited interpretive content. Park charges $20, which seems high for level of investment in park. Nice junior ranger program. Worth checking out if in area. read more

Wonderful Place Filled With Beauty! Michigan was the only state in the country I had not visited, and this area makes me feel like I wasted many years of not seeing this lovely area. Many park areas, beautiful beaches, tranquil waterfalls, serene hiking trails and terrific green landscapes make this a peaceful and relaxing place to spend some time. There is just so much to do and see here if you are like my family and love nature. I actually felt like living here in this area would be a nice idea even! What are you waiting for? Get out here and explore this wonderful place. read more

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Wow!! We visited pictured rocks National lakeshore in early may and did the mosquito falls/chapel falls loop ending up somewhere around 11 miles total. Absolutely gorgeous! I think we were off season/very early in season and the weather was on and off threatening rain so the place was pretty empty which was great. We definitely encountered some fallen trees and muddy paths, but the views were definitely worth it. The fact there was no admission free was a great surprise bonus as well. Like much hiking in the Midwest there wasn't a whole bunch of elevation change- just a little hill to get down to the shore and back up but the lakeshore is so beautiful I didn't mind the flat terrain. The biggest surprise to me was the dirt road to get to the parking lot. I'm not sure if it's better maintained in the summer but it was a bumpy ride and on several occasions I was worried my tiny car wouldn't make it. Luckily we persevered and it was totally worth it. I would recommend it to anyone traveling in the UP. read more

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I was absolutely blown away by this national park site. My recent journey on the Superior shores had me spending more time at the Apostles. I only realized too late that I should have spent more time here too. A short Yelp review will never capture everything about this park. The turquoise blue waters can hardly find words to express themselves. The color banded cliffs plunging straight down into waters below - sometimes literally when sections fracture off. Winding scenic roads and sandy beaches. Multi-colored stones polished by millions of years of water and ice. Waterfalls and fall leaf flourish. The meditative sound of waves crashing - you'd be forgiven for thinking this was actually the ocean. Do yourself a favor and pay the $50 for a boat ride. But even if you can't, a scenic (and free) drive the full length of the park is more than worth it. If the water is warmer, seek out a guided kayak group tour. I'd gladly come back just for that. read more

I went here for my first backpacking trip this past weekend! It was a perfect trip for a first time backpacker as the hike was mostly flat and you have the option to go as far / short as you'd like. We did ~25 miles total along the lakeshore and it was beautiful! There is many campsites along the way but they book up fast during the summer so I recommend booking early. We started at the visit center and ended by little beaver lake. We planned it out so we did 8 miles on the first day, 12 on the second day, and 4 miles the last. It was supposed to rain the weekend we went, however the weather held and it ended up being beautiful. The lake was still warm so we hopped in several times throughout our journey to cool off. The sunset was breath taking. I definitely recommend going to the lake at night to see the sunset and stars. It was absolutely amazing and so clear! There's also many options to do car camping or day hikes if you're more into that. The rocks along shore are some awesome! There's so many pretty colors and sizes. I would take a few home with you. :) read more

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Truly amazing! The scenery is so beautiful, and the information about the history is awesome!

We took the boat trip. Abosuluely worth the $40/per person. Get seats next to window on right side. If you get car sick, ask for a bag especially for choppy waters. Make reservations in advance online. Get there early to get good seats. read more

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Amazing place, great hikes, a million gorgeous views. Make reservations early, too late to buy real estate.

We did the falls cruise in the big boat. We sat inside in the middle behind the captain. We had a great time. My only complaint was others didn't control their children who were constantly moving & bumping into our seats. We moved & that helped. Captain knew his job. The ride was smooth and educational. I'm not sure why the rest of the crew huddled up around him. They seemed to be students? $58 is a bit of $$ but it was worth it for the 2 hours we were out. read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Ship after disembarking. - Parks Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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We selected a 7 pm sight-seeing cruise was a cloudy overcast eve. Kind of chilly. Cruise was awesome. Learned about the pictured rocks. Though I am sure it would have been even prettier if had been a sunnier evening. So many people chose this same slot they had to take 2 boats! read more

So beautiful! We will have to come back because there's so much to see and do! We did Miners Castle and falls which was incredible. Our boat tour got cancelled because of the weather so that was a bummer but we will just have to come back! read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Parks Near Me - Munising, Michigan

What a sight to see! Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of four protected lakeshores in the United States and stretches 40 miles from Munising Bay to the dunes of Grand Marais. If you're outdoorsy: lots of hiking trails and a handful of sandy beaches. If hiking sounds painful: take the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise, which takes off from Munising. You see the rocks in all their glory, many of which you can't view unless you're on the water. Don't have time for the cruise or a hike? Drive 20 minutes outside Munising to the Miner's Castle viewpoint. The best view from land there is of the most famous rock formation. *Note: because it is protected lakeshore, no one is allowed to take rocks as souvenirs from the lakeshore. It's tempting, but leave it be for future generations to enjoy! read more

This is a beautiful area. We only had a day to see the Shipwreck Museum, Tahquamenon Falls, and Pictured Rocks. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped the Shipwreck museum and added the boat cruise along Pictured Rocks instead. We hiked from the trail head to the beach during the fall (September 23 was before peak color) which was cooler (temps in 50s), less crowded, and less buggy (we didn't need insect repellant). It was great to be on the beach alone. read more

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On of the best places on can see in the UP of Michigan. The park is especially beautiful in the middle-end of October. If you can't take a boat ride to see all the great places of the lakeshore start with the Log Slide up north and go all the way down to Chapel Rock, to Spray Falls, and then to Miners Castle. Incredible places to hike and to see in person. Amazing views of the Lake Superior. Beware of deer (especially in the evenings) as there a quite a lot of them crossing roads. And don't worry about bears, chances of meeting them are very low. All in all, if you're in the UP this is a must visit place! read more

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Definitely miracle to see how it has transformed over yearsss... one time visit makes sense with couple days. Other than that there is nothing more.. unless u rent an RV :) read more

Absolutely beautiful! We went on the cruise. Staff was great! Munising is a wonderful town- very welcoming! I'll definitely visit again!

There were so many great photo opportunities. The tour was very informative and upbeat. We had a fun day on the water, Thank you Captain Dave! read more

This cruise was beautiful! We took the one that went to the waterfall @ 3:00. Real chilly that afternoon and 5-6' waves so we sat inside on lower level. Perfect level for pictures. Made sure we sat ON THE RIGHT where we could open the window and take pictures (IMPORTANT IF SITTING INSIDE). Tour was nice. Captain and staff friendly and helpful for sickly. Waves slashed on window on and off the whole time. Beautiful lake, rock formations, and waterfalls along the way. Left side does get photo ops but right is better viewing. Line forms early even if chilly . Definitely worth the ride. read more

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Breathtaking views. Fun hike that is beginner friendly! We didn't see much wildlife but the waterfalls, rock formations, and history were definitely worth the long hike. We spent about 8 hours hiking around, taking pictures, and spending some time to just take in the beauty. I highly recommend taking your time and doing the full loop. It isn't too difficult and the scenery is amazing! read more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Beautiful look out over Lake Superior! - Parks Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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If you can get yourself up to Pictured Rocks, you should do it. And if you can do the ten mile Chapel Loop hike, that is what you should do when you get here. It's a few miles out to the coast (and later back), but then it's a series of beautiful overlooks into amazing rock formations, clear water that looks almost tropical, and the fascinating mineral stripes that give Pictured Rocks its name. In a more crowded national park, this hike would be mobbed, but we had a lot of the trail to ourselves. Maybe it was our late start, but you should go while you can. (The trail isn't that difficult because there isn't a ton of elevation change, though it is on the long side, so you might be able to do it even if you don't normally do a lot of ten mile hikes. But I don't recommend trotting onto the trail with a couple of kids in sandals and little water, like one unfortunate family we encountered.) read more

If you live in the midwest, and you haven't been to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you owe it to yourself and your family to make this trip a priority as soon as you can. SUMMARY: - Wish we had stayed in the area longer and done more hikes - DO A BOAT CRUISE - Miners Falls were the best falls - The walk out to Au Sable Light Station is TOTALLY worth it FIRST, make a hotel reservation. We didn't and almost couldn't find a room. We ended up at Super 8 Munising Wetmore Area (http://www.yelp.com/biz/super-8-munising-wetmore-area-wetmore-2?hrid=uB-kzl8Q8oir68xihwrpXQ) Note, the name is changing in September 2014. But there are other very cool, probably better places to stay for local flavor such as Sunset Motel on the Bay (http://www.yelp.com/biz/sunset-motel-on-the-bay-munising). We approached this national treasure from the south east, and went to Grand Marais first where we entered the park from the NE on 58, making our first stop The Grand able Visitors Center. The rangers were great, gave me an very accurate estimate of how long it would take to get to Musining for our 6pm cruise, and made some excellent suggestions of what we should do until we had to arrive for our boat cruise. Our first stop was the Log Slide overlook, and the view was most unexpected. The Grand Sable Dunes were impressive and beautiful from the overlook. From there were hustled to the Hurricane River parking area to walk out to the Au Sable Light Station for a 330pm tour. Its a 1.7 mile hike on the path to the lighthouse, but we did mange to arrive in time for the tour. It was worth every bit of the $3 admission per person, but BRING EXACT CHANGE, as they do not make change there. The keeper's house is slowly being rehabbed to bring it to its 1910 condition, but the work is slow, and the money is likely scant. Still, we were glad to explore the house with the ranger's excellent tour. Of course, the real treat is the 98 steps up to get to the top of the lighthouse and walk on the catwalk. The view to the Grand Sable Dunes was impressive. From that perspective, you can really see how fog rising from those dunes can create a navigational nightmare for shipping. Though pressed for time, we did take some time to walk the beach and see the ship wrecks on shore, which certainly fill the imagination. But the large amount of round rock on the beach was very colorful and captivating too, and if we had one place where I wish we had spent more time, that was where I would have spent an extra hour or two. The drive to Musining was swift, but the scenery along the road was gorgeous. We arrived in time to make our 6pm cruise with not much time to spare. IT WAS indeed the highlight of the trip. We took the 6pm cruise that went all the way to Spray Falls, and I would recommend it. Worth every penny. You can't experience all that is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore without taking one of these cruises. It was AWESOME, in the classic definition of the word (not the urban punk usage). The next day we began with a fast stop at the Interagency Visitors Center in Musining. Worth a stop, but skip the movie they have available. It has no educational value whatsoever. It clearly needs an update. Very much liked learning about the Hiawatha National Forest at the center though, and will need to make another trip up here to explore it more. It is a real gem. From Musining we drove to the hike at Miners Falls, and that was the highlight of the second day. If you have just one waterfall to visit, make this one the one. Such a beautiful hike and such an amazing waterfall on the Musining Escarpment. We lingered and enjoyed the walk there and back from the parking lot, and because we are the family we are, we did the walking tour with the dozen or so stops and read and learned rather a bit about the forest and geology there while reading the trail guide at the posted and numbered locations. Next was Miners Castle. There is an information center there, and for NPS stamp collectors (of which I am one), there is a separate stamp you can only get there. Miners Castle was great to hike down to, and it was fun to see up close, but the best view of it was really from the boat during the cruise the night before. Very happy we stopped here because the perspective of seeing it up close and from the boat was very intriguing for the kids (11 yo daughter and 9 yo son). That was something they continued to comment on which I did not expect to be such a curiosity for them. Our visit of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ended with Musining Falls and Sand Point. The Musining USCG Station was an interesting stop, and Sand Point was a great view, but the gem here is the falls, which you can view from three different vantage points. There is an informative visitors center here too, and it was where my two cubs earned their Junior Ranger badges before we began our drive home. read more

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We visited on 9/30/07 and the foliage was nearly at its peak. You *must* take a boat tour (they only operate from mid-May to mid-October and the tours last for 2 1/2-3 hours)! The rocks are really beautiful and the boat ride was very peaceful. This - along with Tahquamenon Falls State Park (see my separate review) - is one of the two highlights of the UP (Upper Peninsula). read more

So glad to see the love for PR on Yelp - basically 5 stars across the board, though it's a bit sad to see how few reviews there are. That being said, that's also a positive, as for a park as gorgeous as this one, you'll be blessed with few crowds. PR had been on my bucket list for a good while until I found a friend who was also interested, so we made plans for Memorial Day weekend 2018. We began planning in February, and while the park is not as popular as it could be, there are also not that many lodging options in the area if you are not camping. Thus, if you'd like to not spend oodles on your hotel, advance planning is certainly recommended. We booked 2 nights in the Holiday Inn in Munising, and that ran only about $125 before tax. The hotel did sell out due to the long weekend. Several people have mentioned the Chapel Falls and Rock hike, and that's the one we did. If you do out and back, it's 6+ miles, but not a strenuous hike, although there were quite a few muddy spots toward the end and we were scrambling through the brush to avoid those. The park is notorious for being full of bugs; this early in the season the horrible black flies were not out yet, but plenty others were. Heavy duty bug repellent is highly recommended, and taking it along if hiking in hot weather is also recommended -- I had to reapply at least once. Also, although the privately owned cruise does run $38, it is well worth it, as the only way to really see the rocks themselves is from the lake. The tour guide does also provide plenty of information. ALSO - there is no charge to enter the park! If you stop at the visitor centers (I believe only one is open year-round, while the other is only seasonal), do throw some $ into the donation bin. I was surprised when I put a ten dollar bill in there and the ranger acted very surprised (and grateful). A park this beautiful in most other parts of the country would easily cost $30/day. Summary: If Pictured Rocks is not on your bucket list, add it right now. read more

Incredible camping and hiking experience! Do your homework before you go. Know the animals and weather you can run into and how to avoid bears in your campsite. Also look up all the hikes and kayak/boat trips. There is so much to do here that you won't want to waste your time looking it up while camping. Also... You won't have phone service very often. So don't expect to be able to use your phone for a gps or to look up campgrounds. We took a car and camped at Twelvemile Campground and Bay Furnace. Both wonderful campgrounds. From there we did day hikes and a boat tour. If you love the outdoors, you will love this trip!! Give yourself several days to try to get it all in!! read more

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