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on the South Shore of Lake Superior
The awe-inspiring cliffs are shaped by wind, ice and pounding waves. The cliffs are colored in shades of brown, tan, and green by the iron, manganese, limonite and copper in the water. As the water trickles down the rocks or mountainous waves slam into the cliffs with a vicious suddenness, the sandstone Pictured Rocks are formed and changed. The sculptured rocks create images in your mind of fortresses and castles. Miner's Castle, Battleship Row, Indian Head, Lover's Leap, the Color Caves, Rainbow Cave, and Chapel Rock are only a few of the breathtaking sights which can be seen. There are scenic overlooks, beaches and campgrounds, but the Pictured Rocks are best seen by boat or by air. The Pictured Rocks can be reached at one end by following Highway 28 or 94 to Munising. The other end of the National Lakeshore may be reached by taking Highway 77 to Grand Marais. A sandy road (H-58) wanders in and out of the lakeshore connecting Munising and Grand Marais. This is the road through the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There are Visitor Centers at both Munising and Grand Marais. Miners Castle has a new
look. Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises (906) 387-2379 from Munising offers a lakeside view of the cliffs and the Grand Island Shipwreck Tours (906) 387-4477, also available at Munising, takes visitors to three shipwrecks on the bottom of the lake as seen through a glass viewing area. Au Sable Lighthouse may be reached by following a 1.5 mile trail from Hurricane River Campground at Munising. Visit the historic Munising Coast Guard Station near the end of Sand Point Road and see the 36' motor lifeboat, "Grand Marais" in the old boathouse. Campgrounds
in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There are also other rustic campgrounds in the Hiawatha National Forest or private campgrounds in the area. Back-Country Camping: There are 13 hike-in campgrounds and 7 group sites spaced every 2 to 5 miles along the Lakeshore Trail. Mosquito River and Chapel Beach have toilets. No potable water. Fires allowed in metal fire rings, no ground fires permitted. Camping in designated sites only. Permits required and are available at the Visitor Center at the blinking light in Munising or the Grand Sable Visitor Center just west of Grand Marais on H-58.
Hiking and Walking: The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has wonderful hiking trails. You can chose short trails or long for an easy walk or an energetic hike. Pick up your trail map at the Visitor Center at the blinking light and take water and a snack with you. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather and enjoy this beautiful lakeshore. Pets are welcome along roads, some trails, campgrounds, and visitor center areas. Please keep them on a 6'leash and under your control at all times. Watch for signs as some trails are closed to pets because of sensitive vegitation or nesting birds. Pets are not permitted in the Lakeshore backcountry. Please watch for signs. For more information on Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, call (906) 387-2607, write to Pictured Rocks, National Park Service, P.O. Box 40, Munising, Ml 49862 or visit their website at http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm Visit Grand Marais, the Eastern Gateway to the Pictured Rocks. Visit Munising, the Western Gateway to the Pictured Rocks
Map of Munising end of the Pictured Rocks Map of Grand Marais end of the Pictured Rocks
Christmas Michigan, 3 miles west of Munising on M-28. AuTrain Michigan, 10 miles west of Munising on Highway M-28. Lodging on AuTrain Lake. Back to Upper Peninsula Traveler Home Page: Exploring the North Copyright 1997-06 by by Vivian Wood, webmaster. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, this web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner. Unless authorized by the webmaster, reproduction of any picture, web page or pages on this website, www.exploringthenorth.com, for placement on the internet is a copyright infringement. All right, title and interest in and to the material on these web pages, the web site, in whole or in part, and in and to this url and the urls contained within, is the property of the webmaster. All website design, text, graphics, selection and arrangement thereof are the copyrighted works of Vivian Wood. Web site created on an Apple G-4. |