🏕️National Park Data
Multi-colored sandstone cliffs rise out of Lake Superior
Au Sable Lighthouse and light keeper's quarters
Shallow creek narrowing through the forest.
Three sections of cliffs sticking out into Lake Superior like the bows of battleships.
The Grand Sable Dunes rise up 300 feet from Lake Superior.
Kayakers near Lovers Leap rock arch formation
National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Michigan

💰
Entrance Fee
$25
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Munising, MI
📞
Visitor Center
906-387-3700

Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four-season outdoor opportunities abound.

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About Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a national lakeshore located in Michigan. Summers are pleasant with the average highs in June, July, and August in the 70s°F, and lows in the low 50s°F. The coldest months are December through March with average highs of 25°F to 32°F, and average lows in the teens. Annual precipitation averages 31 inches; average annual snowfall is about 140 inches, although winters with more than 200 inches are not uncommon. Snow generally covers the ground from late November through late April.

Pictured Rocks NL is located on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, between the towns of Munising (west) and Grand Marais (east). Access the west side of the park via Michigan highways M-28 and M-94 to Munising. State highway M-77 leads to Grand Marais on the east side. Alger County Road H-58 runs parallel and through the park, providing access to spur roads that lead to scenic overlooks, trailheads, campgrounds, beaches, etc. Most park roads are closed in winter due to snow.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Pictured Rocks starts at $15 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($25), Entrance - Motorcycle ($20), Entrance - Snowmobile ($15), Entrance - Per Person ($15), Commercial Entrance - Sedan ($25), Commercial Entrance - Van ($40), Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus ($40), Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach ($100). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

Entrance - Private Vehicle$25
Entrance - Motorcycle$20
Entrance - Snowmobile$15
Entrance - Per Person$15
Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
Commercial Entrance - Van$40
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100

🥾 Things to Do

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, and 47 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Auto and ATV
✅ Scenic Driving
✅ Astronomy
✅ Stargazing
✅ Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Boating
✅ Motorized Boating
✅ Jet Skiing
✅ Boat Tour
✅ Camping
✅ Backcountry Camping
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Car or Front Country Camping
✅ Group Camping
✅ RV Camping
✅ Climbing
✅ Ice Climbing
✅ Fishing
✅ Freshwater Fishing
✅ Fly Fishing
✅ Food
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Boat Tour
✅ Hands-On
✅ Volunteer Vacation
✅ Hiking
✅ Backcountry Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Hunting and Gathering
✅ Hunting
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Kayaking
✅ Stand Up Paddleboarding
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ SCUBA Diving
✅ Skiing
✅ Cross-Country Skiing
✅ Snow Play
✅ Snowmobiling
✅ Snowshoeing
✅ Swimming
✅ Freshwater Swimming
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching
✅ Museum Exhibits
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Pictured Rocks

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Pictured Rocks

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Pictured Rocks before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 2 active alerts for Pictured Rocks. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Pictured Rocks get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Pictured Rocks. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four-season outdoor opportunities abound.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pictured Rocks

The entrance fee for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is $25 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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