By Jonathan Hallenbeck Ask, 2021 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Hiker
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a popular 42.4-mile trail that follows the shoreline of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It offers picturesque views of the lake, a lighthouse, unique rock formations, and prominent cliffs along the shoreline.
Region: Great Lakes Midwest (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)
Distance: 42.4 miles (2-4 days)
Physical Difficulty: Easy
- The terrain is mostly flat with the occasional steep climb up a staircase or sandy hill.
- No significant elevation gain.
- The trail is not marked but is clear and well-maintained.
Logistical Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Permits are required and must be acquired well in advance.
- Shuttle services are available for reservation.
- There is frequent water access along the trail.
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Elevation: 604 to 902 feet
Total Elevation Change: (East to West) +3,227 feet, -3,356 feet
Hiking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Pictured Rocks) traverses the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between the towns of Grand Marais and Munising. It offers dramatic views of the cliffs that line the lake, unique rock formations, and both pebble and sandy beaches. Like its longer sibling on Lake Superior (the Superior Hiking Trail), Pictured Rocks was a well-established and popular trail before it was joined to the rest of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Pictured Rocks remains one of the most popular backpacking routes in Michigan and for good reason. It is well-maintained, relatively accessible, and offers views that are breathtaking and unique. The trail and beaches around the popular Chapel Rock are accessible as a day hike and are typically high-traffic areas, especially during peak tourist season. Because of the permit system, however, you can still find moments of solitude along the trail. Once you are away from the popular tourist sites you will likely only run into the occasional backpacker.
Covering only 42 miles over relatively easy terrain and with frequent water access, Pictured Rocks is a great trail for beginning backpackers, families, or those on a tight schedule. The beautiful beaches and breathtaking views make it a great choice for beginners and well-seasoned backpackers alike. If you are willing to deal with the crowds along some sections of this trail, you will surely see what makes it such a popular destination.
How to Get to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Nearest City: Marquette, Michigan (45 minutes)
Sawyer International Airport (outside Marquette, Michigan) is just a 45-minute drive from the trail, while larger regional airports in Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul are each about 7 hours away. Once you arrive at the trail, a shuttle is available to bring you to your starting point. The shuttle must be prepaid and booked at least 48 hours in advance. Note that it does not run if there are no reservations, so don’t plan to get on at the last minute! Free parking is available at either end of the trail. Make sure you talk to the park ranger and let them know your plans if you are leaving a vehicle unattended.
When to Hike Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
While winter camping is allowed, late spring to early fall is the most popular time to hike. Note that if you are there during the off-season many of the services and facilities in the area may not be operating. You can find more information about winter camping at Pictured Rocks here. Summer temperatures are typically mild, though it can be cooler than you might expect due to the proximity to Lake Superior.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Terrain
The trail is mostly flat and smooth, though there are a few short but steep climbs up staircases and sandy embankments. The ground can also be quite soft and sandy in places, which can slow your pace. There are a number of places along the route where the trail follows very closely with the cliffs’ edges. Note that sections of the cliffs erode and fall into the lake each year, so the shoreline is constantly changing. Take extra caution in these areas, as it can be dangerous if you are not careful.
Logistics: Camping Permits, Water, Resupply
Permits: Camping permits are required for all backcountry campgrounds. No dispersed camping is allowed. Permits are available through recreation.gov starting on January 1 each year. Cost is a $15 reservation fee plus $5 per person per night. Reservations tend to fill up quickly, so make sure you book well in advance, especially if you have a large group or if you want first pick of the camping locations. This backcountry camping planner has more detailed information on each of the campsites and also includes a chart that gives the mileage. Note that the chart includes both backcountry campgrounds and those available for campers/car camping.
Water: Water is available frequently along the trail. Lake Superior is accessible fairly regularly and is an excellent source of water. There are also a number of streams and a few places where potable water is available. While water is plentiful and of little concern on this trail, because of the cliffs, the water is not always accessible. You can check the backcountry planner to see which campsites have water available.
Resupply: There are no towns or stores accessible from the trail to serve as a resupply point. Most hikers will not find it necessary to resupply on this trail; however, there are 3 drive-in campgrounds along the trail, so slackpacking or a resupply point could be arranged.
Know Before You Go
Bears: Black bears are present and active in this area. Bear lockers are required and provided at each campground. Make sure you use them! Report any bear/human interactions to park staff at (906) 387-3700.
Bugs: High bug pressure is a possibility May through September. This includes black flies, mosquitos, ticks, and biting stable flies. Insect repellent is not effective on stable flies, so consider pants and long sleeves to provide protection if needed.
Trail Markings: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a part of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT); however, it is NOT marked with the blue blazes typical of the NCT. In fact, there are no markings along this trail. It is typically clear and easy to follow but make sure you have a good map. There are a few side trails to lakes, parking lots, etc., that are easy to take by mistake.
Hunting Season: Hunting is allowed in this area after Labor Day Weekend until March 31 each year. Bring some blaze orange if you plan on hiking within this time frame.
No Pets: Pets are not allowed in the park.
Safety Along the Cliffs: 15 miles of the trail run along 50-200 foot cliffs. The views are gorgeous but they can be dangerous. Unsupported overhangs of soft sandstone are common and sections of rock tumble into the lake each year (usually in the early spring after it thaws). Use caution when hiking along the cliffs’ edges.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Resources
Contact info for Munising Falls Visitor Center:
[email protected]
(906) 387-3700
Shuttle – Alger County Transit (ALTRAN)
(906) 387-4845
Jon Hallenbeck Ask (he/him) and his wife, Christy, hiked the Camino de Santiago in 2016 and have been captivated by hiking and the trail community ever since. Jon is now a stay-at-home parent and spends a lot of time with their daughter at local parks. He gets out on longer adventures whenever he can talk his in-laws into volunteering childcare. You can read stories from the Camino and other more recent adventures on his Instagram.
