Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is Home to Munising, Michigan.

"We had been told of the variety in the color and form of these rocks, but were wholly unprepared to encounter the surprising groups of overhanging precipices, towering walls, caverns, waterfalls... mingled in the most wonderful disorder."

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 1820
Indian agent and wilderness scholar

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Indian Head America's first national lakeshore and home to Munising, Michigan Pictured Rocks gets its name from the sandstone rock cliffs that are exposed along the lakeshore, known as the Pictured Rocks. The cliffs are most prominent along the shoreline of Lake Superior between Sand Point and Little Beaver Lake, a stretch of 15 miles. In some areas the cliffs rise some 200 feet above the lake.

The name "Pictured Rocks" is due to the pictures that seem to appear on the rocks from the multicolored sandstone and mineral stains on the rock surface. The cliffs are composed of Cambrian Sandstone, dating back about 500 million years. The stains on the sandstone are caused by water running down the cliffs filled with oxides of copper, manganese, iron, and organic minerals.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore To get the best view of the rocks from land you should visit the overlooks at Miners Castle, the east end of Miners Beach, and the Lakeshore Trail that runs the length of the park. If you like to hike you will enjoy the nine mile Chapel Loop trail. This Trail offers views from the highest points of the cliffs. If you do plan to hike atop the cliffs use caution. The Cliffs are soft sandstone some reaching heights of 200' which pose as a danger especially if the cliffs are undercut by erosion, so Stay Back From The Cliff Edge.

Munising's Top of the World Overlook Whether your visit to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore lasts only an hour or if you stay for a week or two, you might want to begin your visit at one of the visitor centers located in Munising and Grand Marais. Here you can pick up numerous amounts of brochures and any additional information you need to help make your visit outstanding.

The Pictured Rocks shoreline offers each passing second filled with enchanted, sculptured shoreline sights and the vivid sounds of the mighty power of Lake Superior... thrashing its fresh, clear water over a multitude of colorful sandstone monstrosities.

Picture Rocks Area Highlights

No matter how long your stay, consider trying to visit the following attractions:

Munising Falls: The 50 foot falls are nestled in a cool and shady valley at the end of a short hike along a very well maintained trail. The water from the falls once aided in the production of iron at the Schoolcraft blast furnace.

See also: Munising - Alger County Waterfalls

Sand Point: This is a popular area for bird watching as well as swimming or walking along the beach. The Point Marsh Trail, a half-mile fully accessible interpretive trail provides access to a unique wetland environment. You can enjoy maritime history exhibits near the old Munising Coast Guard Station where Park Headquarters are located.

Miners Castle: A fully accessible trail leads from a beautifully constructed picnic area past breathtaking views of Grand Island and Lake Superior, down to an overlook platform directly above the Castle. Erosion over long periods of time have formed the shape of a castle in the sandstone cliffs. At one time you were able to walk atop the castle but due to the mass erosion you must now stay on the platform.

Miners Beach: This beach which extends for one mile is a picnickers fantasy. The beach gives you a beautiful look at Lake Superior and is a great place for children to build sand castles, but watch out for those playful waves waiting to bring them down.

These are only a few of the many attractions located along the Lakeshore. In order to visit and enjoy all the wonderful attractions that Pictured Rocks have to offer, you would need to spend a week or more in the area. And chances are you'll be back to return to see these and the many other resource-rich natural scenic attractions our area can provide you and your family. The best way to see all of the Pictured Rocks is to take a cruise on the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises, which began in the 1920's.

For more information on the Boat Cruises call or write to:
Pictured Rocks Cruises, Inc.
Box 355-Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-2379
Pictured Rocks Cruise Schedule

Directions - Location:

-Plane - Grass airfields are located near Grand Marais and Munising. Regularly scheduled commercial airline service is located in Marquette, Escanaba, and Sault Ste. Marie Michigan.

-Car - Michigan state highways M-28 and M-94 lead to Munising; state highway M-77 leads to Grand Marais. County road H-58 and other spur roads provide access throughout the park.

-Bus - Regional bus lines stop in Marquette and Escanaba.

Public Transportation - Local bus service (Altran, (906) 387-4845) offers backpacker shuttle service in summer; reservations are required.

Picture Rocks Related Links of Interest

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
PO Box 40
N8391 Sand Point Road
Munising, MI 49862-0040
Phone: Headquarters (year round) 906 3872607
Visitor Information (year round) 906 3873700
Grand Sable Visitor Center (summer only) 906 942660
Grand Sable Visitor Center (summer only) 906 4942660
Email: piro_information@nps.gov

Superior cliffs
A great information article- "Natural wonders, wrecks highlight Michigan's Pictured Rocks"

Munising