30 Best Things to do in the Pictured Rocks, Michigan

April 23, 2023

Looking for the best things to do in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Munising? From the best hiking trails and best places to camp to where to eat and the best views, here is a complete guide on how to visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

image of a beautiful swimming spot on Lake Superior with blue water

image of sea kayakers at the Pictured Rocks Natioanal Lakeshore on Lake Superior

How to Visit the Pictured Rocks:

The Pictured Rocks are located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! Permits are required. Purchase a day or week pass online in advance, or head to one of the visitors centers to purchase your permit in person.

Weather along Lake Superior can be unpredictable! Plan for cooler weather than you might expect, with some days in the summer seeing highs in the 40s. For what to wear on a trip to Pictured Rocks, see the end of this post!

The Pictured Rocks can be crowded in summer months! The best time of year to visit the Pictured Rocks to beat the crowds is May-June and September. For the calmest water and warmest temperatures, visit in late July and early August. For the all around best time of year to visit the Pictured Rocks, visit near the end of August or beginning of September.

Oh hi there! This post contains affiliate links! that means if you choose to buy something based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you! All recommendations and opinions are my own.

What to pack for a trip to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the summer:

Summers of Lake Superior can be chilly, particularly in June and early July! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…

2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets
A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops.
Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the alpine areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
hiking sandals
Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft.
If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag.
A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

Planning a trip to kayak specifically? Here’s what to pack for a kayaking trip!

Best Things to do in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan:

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is on the ancestral and cultural homeland of the Ojibwe people. When recreating in and around the Pictured Rocks, keep in mind that many areas have historical and cultural significance. For this reason especially, be sure to pack out everything you bring including toilet paper, orange peels, ect. Avoid crushing plant life, “improving” trails or campsites, and stay on trail when hiking.

30) Hike Spray Falls: My favorite hike in the Pictured Rocks!

The hike to Spray Falls is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks! Start at the Little Beaver Creek trailhead, and hike about five miles out to Spray Falls, a waterfall that cascades directly off the Pictured Rocks Cliffs into Lake Superior. Along the way, stop to swim in the Coves of Lake Superior, some of the Midwest’s most picturesque swimming holes. This is an intermediate level hike at around six miles round trip.

Shot on iPhone 6 and edited in Lightroom mobile with my photo preset “Vintage”

Spray Falls hiking trail is the best hiking trail in the Pictured Rocks for adventurers looking for a good work out, a place to swim, and an adventure that takes about half the day. Some of the best swimming holes in the Pictured Rocks are along this beautiful hike.

Pro tip: Dogs are not allowed in wilderness sections of the Pictured Rocks including this hike.

29) Grab Breakfast at Bear Trap Inn

For the best breakfast in the Pictured Rocks, swing by the cozy Bear Trap Inn. Bear Trap Inn is tucked away in the Michigan Northwoods along the main road to the Pictured Rocks. The food is great, and the atmosphere is spot on for cozy Northern Michigan mornings.

28) Check out Miner’s Castle

Miner’s Castle is an ADA-accessible viewpoint, and one of the best things to do in the Pictured Rocks with kids! This popular viewpoint offers views of Lake Superior below and unique rock formations, and is just a quick drive from nearby Miner’s Beach, the perfect place to picnic, play and swim.

27) Pictured Rocks Pizza, Munising

Looking for a greasy, beach-y meal after a hot day in the sun? Head to Pictured Rocks Pizza for some delicious small town pizza.

26) Visit Au Train Beach and Scott Falls

Looking for one of the best beaches near the Pictured Rocks? Head west outside of the National Lakeshore to Au Train Beach to beat the crowds. This beautiful, sandy, and long beach has all the charm of the Pictured Rocks beaches, plus a beautiful roadside waterfall and a fraction of the crowds.

Image of Chapel Basin Loop Hike at Grand Portal Point

Iconic Pictured Rocks Overlook on Chapel Basin Loop shot on iPhone & edited with preset “Vintage“

25) Visit Horseshoe Falls and Gift Shop

Horseshoe Falls is a privately owned and operated waterfall and tourist attraction just outside of Munising, with an easy walking path featuring the waterfall, a fish pond, a botanical garden, and a quirky gift shop!

This attraction charges for admission and path to the falls is wheelchair-friendly and is one of the best places near the Pictured Rocks for families!

24) Swim the Coves

The Coves region is the best place to swim in the Pictured Rocks! Here, small cliffs curve around sandy coves to create a perfect natural swimming pool. IF you can brave the chilly water of Lake Superior that is. The Coves are accessible from the Beaver Basin Trailhead. No dogs are allowed in the Beaver Basin Wilderness.

best places to swim in the pictured rocks, swimmer in "the coves"

Fun story time! I first visited the Pictured Rocks in 2018, before I was a serious paddler. A lot of these photos are from then, and shot on an iPhone 5 or 6 with a big crack in it. When I went back to edit them for this article, I was able to use my jack-of-all-trades photo filter, “Vintage” to give them that soft nostalgic feel. Since then, I’ve been back to the Pictured Rocks about four times on longer trips. For a while, I spent summers working as a sea kayaking guide and would drive through the Pictured Rocks on my way back to Lower Michigan every summer.

I’ve solo camped in the area a few times and solo hiked and paddled plenty. I personally think the Pictured Rocks is one of the best places for solo female camping/hiking in the Midwest.

23) Hike Miner’s Falls: Best Easy Hiking in the Pictured Rocks

Miner’s Falls is one of the best family-friendly hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! At less than a mile round trip to a beautiful and large waterfall, this hiking trail is a must-do in the Pictured Rocks and one of the best easy hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks for families.

22) Overnight Kayak the Pictured Rocks

Looking for the best adventure trip in the Pictured Rocks? Book an overnight sea kayaking tour with Northern Waters Adventures. These tours will take you on a squash-buckling expedition both next to the incredible dunes and cliffs of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

While an overnight sea kayaking trip is the best way to experience the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, it’s not for the faint of heart!

Note: As of 2023, there are currently no guided overnight sea kayaking trips advertised in the Pictured Rocks. Call outfitters to inquire about custom trip availability.

21) Camp at Woodland Park Campground in Grand Marais

Looking to camp on a Pictured Rocks beach, but not quite ready to do the wilderness thing? Woodland Park Campground in Grand Marais at the eastern end of the Pictured Rocks is the perfect place to camp outside of the National Lakeshore, and walking distance from town. With a cute camp store just across the street and miles of beach to walk, this is the perfect comfortable spot to set up camp for newer car campers!

My Big Agnes Fly Creek 2 person HV UL is now six years old, has been everywhere from backpacking Armenia to the Washington Coast, and survived several seasons of overnight kayak guiding. It’s a little tight for two people, but can’t recommend this tent enough.

Pro tip: It’s just three miles round trip from the campground to walk to the beach to Sable Falls from this campground!

20) Play at Miner’s Beach

One of the most popular areas in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miner’s Beach is the primary launch point for the majority of kayaking trips in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

This beach is great for families looking for a sandy place to swim!

Remember: While this is the primary kayak launch point for kayaking the Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior, this can be an incredibly dangerous place to launch a kayak! Miner’s beach is located in a sheltered bay, which means that the wave conditions you see at the beach may not be the same conditions you see once you reach the cliffs. Once you reach the cliffs, there is no easy way to get back to shore and safety and water temperatures may cause hypothermia in as few as 10 minutes.

19) Visit Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore

Falling Rock Cafe in Munising is the perfect place to grab breakfast and coffee near the Pictured Rocks! This cozy cafe has wifi, custom roasted coffee, live music, and more and is one of the best places to eat near the Pictured Rocks and in Munising.

18) See the Northern Lights

Ever wondered how to see the Northern Lights in the Pictured Rocks? Upper Michigan is a great place to see the Northern Lights because the horizon line is clear to the north over the Lake, and skies are dark!

Some of the best places to see the Northern Lights in the Pictured Rocks are Miner’s Castle and Miner’s Beach, 12-Mile Beach, and Log Slide Overlook.

17) Check out Alger Falls

Alger Falls is a beautiful roadside waterfall near Munising, Michigan! It is free and easy to visit, and takes just a few minutes to check out.

16) Camp at 12-mile Beach

Want to score one of the most beautiful campsites in Michigan? Reserve a site at 12-mile beach in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This campground is a great place to see the Northern Lights, has a beautiful beach to swim at, and is easily one of the best spots to camp in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

There are hiking trails nearby, ADA Accessible campsites, water, pit toilets, but no electric hookups.

15) Sea Kayak Grand Island

Circumnavigation of Grand Island is a bucket list item for any paddler, with beautiful sandstone cliffs that rival the Pictured Rocks themselves. At 26-28 mile trip, for the most advanced paddlers with the right conditions it can be done as a day trip. If you’re looking for the backcountry paddling experience, take 2-3 days to circumnavigate the island. Click here for guided trip information.

Grand Island is just outside of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but has much of the same dramatic geology and a fraction of the crowds.

14) Hike Chapel Falls

Hiking out-and-back to Chapel Falls in the Pictured Rocks is just over two miles round trip, and features and impressive 60-ft waterfall! This is an abridged hike from the extremely popular Chapel-Basin Loop, a 9-11 mile hike depending on spur trails.

Note: This parking lot often fills by 9 am and empties out again around 4 pm.

(See the number one thing to do in the Pictured Rocks!)

13) Visit Munising Falls: Best ADA-Accessible Hike in the Pictured Rocks

Munising Falls is an easy, ADA accessible walk out to the viewing platform. Munising Falls is especially lovely to view in the fall, when all the leaves have changed, or in the spring, when the falls are running with spring meltwater.

Munising Falls is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and will likely be crowded on peak summer weekends. Still, Munising Falls is one of the best easy hiking trails in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for families!

12) Camp at Lake Superior State Forest Campground

Lake Superior State Forest Campground is a beautiful campground located off the beaten path and directly on Lake Superior! This campground is first come first serve, and there are plenty of other rustic campgrounds similar in the area if you find the lakefront sites have filled.

This campground is a longer drive from the Pictured Rocks, but perfect for anyone seeking a remote feeling place to visit. Lake Superior State Forest Campground is probably has some of the best beach campsite in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and is a great place to see the Northern Lights.

11) Cruise the Pictured Rocks

Did you know you can book a cruise of the incredible Pictured Rocks? Booking a cruise is one of the best ways to see the Pictured Rocks! Tour highlights include waterfalls, painted cliffs, lighthouses, sea arches, and more. I recommend the Spray Falls tour, or Sunset Tour!

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10) Visit Bay Furnace

A visit to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore isn’t complete with out a detour to Bay Furnace Historic Site! This short and accessible trail leads to the unique historic structure of Bay Furnace ruins.

Here, you can also find the beautiful, lakefront Bay Furnace Campground.This campground is a great place to camp near the Pictured Rocks for travelers looking for lakefront camping near enough to grab a quick dinner in Munising.

9) Backpack the Lakeshore Trail

The North Country National Scenic Trail winds from New York all the way out to the Dakotas, and an impressive section follows the Pictured Rocks Cliffs, and this Lakeshore Trail is some of the best hiking in Michigan. Take shuttle out to Grand Marais, MI and backpack along the cliff line towards Munising in a bucket list worthy trip.

me, a backpacking fashion queen!! For more backpacking glamor shots, visit me at @maddymarq on Instagram

8) Visit the Au Sable Light Station

At a three-mile hike round trip, visiting Au Sable Light Station is a great afternoon trip for history lovers! This hike features both the iconic lighthouse and multiple views of shipwrecks on the beach below.

Lighthouse tours are available in the summer Wednesday-Sunday in the summer for a small fee (cash only, no change available!).

7) Visit Tahquamenon Falls on a Day Trip

Visiting the Pictured Rocks for longer than four days? An excellent day trip from the Pictured Rocks or on your way back south is Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

This iconic Michigan stop features Tahquamenon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi with a 50 ft drop and 200 ft across.

6) Get Tacos from Border Grill

Looking for a quick place to grab lunch in Munising? Head to the Border Grill for tacos and a view at a great price!

5) Hike to Wagner Falls

For a quick waterfall hike just south of Munising, check out Wagner Falls! This waterfall is beautiful, easy to access, and makes for a great picnic site.

4) Hike Grand Sable Dunes

Looking for iconic Lake Superior sand dunes and some of the best hiking in the Pictured Rocks? Head out to Grand Sable Dunes and Log Slide Overlook for incredible views of Lake Superior from above.

unique formations along the Lake Superior shoreline in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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3) Mountain Bike Grand Island

Looking for a unique Michigan adventure? Head out to Grand Island to mountain bike the unique island ecosystem. Grand Island features beautiful beaches and cliffs very similar to the Pictured Rocks but with a fraction of the crowds. It’s a great place to spend a day hiking or biking, and an incredible place to backpack or complete a difficult advanced sea kayaking circumnavigation.

A ferry is required to reach the island for bikers & hikers.

2) Kayak the Pictured Rocks

Kayaking the Pictured Rocks is one of the most incredible ways to experience the unique sandstone cliffs and caves! While a beautiful experience, you’ll need to book a guided tour if you do not have significant coastal kayaking experience.

The Pictured Rocks can be an extremely dangerous place to kayak! Multiple rescues, and sometimes deaths, occur here every year. Sea Kayaks are strongly recommended, along with a VHF, PFD, spray skirt, wetsuit or drysuit, bilge pump, paddle float, knowledge of local weather patterns, and deep-water self-rescue skills.

If you do not know what those words mean, do not venture out on Lake Superior without a guide. If you are questioning at all whether this is a safe trip for you to attempt without a guide, book a guided tour.

To read & understand more about the hazards of paddling the Pictured Rocks, read Deep Dive: Kayaking the Pictured Rocks.

1) Hike the Chapel-Basin Loop: Single Best Thing to do in the Pictured Rocks!

At between 10 and 13 miles round trip, the Chapel-Basin Loop is sometimes treated as a beginner’s backpacking loop, and offers some of the most varied scenery in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This hike can also be done as a day trip. Pack up a lunch and head out to see three waterfalls and hike along the cliffs!

The Chapel-Basin Loop is the single best hike in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! This hike is moderate and may not be suitable for young children. Be aware that the Pictured Rocks is an active erosion zone, seeing rockfalls every year. Stay away from the edges of cliffs!

Should I visit the Pictured Rocks with Kids?

There are plenty of great kid-friendly hikes in the Pictured Rocks, and great swimming beaches! However, keep in mind that no safe kayak outfitter will take children under seven kayaking on Lake Superior. Young children cannot paddle hard in an emergency, and are more likely to get hypothermia quickly. Do not endanger your child by taking them kayaking on Lake Superior!

Where can I rent a kayak in the Pictured Rocks?

Kayaking the Pictured Rocks is an advanced coastal kayaking route. No safe outfitter rents kayaks for Lake Superior. Hypothermia can set in minutes, and there are horrific kayaking deaths on Lake Superior every single year of beginners and recreational kayakers alike.

Likewise, if you are wondering “can I take my own kayak to the Pictured Rocks”, I recommend you do not, and book a guided tour instead. While many people get away with paddling the Pictured Rocks in a recreational kayak on a calm day, weather changes very quickly and if you do not have knowledge of how to read the Lake, due to shape of Miner’s Beach and protection by Grand Island, it is very easy to launch into a dangerous situation without realizing it.

Waters may be calm or next to calm in the bay, and then closer to six feet as soon as you round the first cliff with the wind pushing you out into bigger waters.

When is the best time of year to visit the Pictured Rocks?

While most people visit the Pictured Rocks in July, visiting in mid August is the best time of year to visit the Pictured Rocks. In general, the bugs are not as bad, the Lake is warm enough to swim in, and the waters are still more likely to be calm than in September.