Pictured Rocks Kayaking

There are a number of authorized kayak tour companies at Pictured Rocks, and you can find them listed here. 

We went with Pictured Rocks Kayaking and felt very well looked after! The way it works is that you arrive early to sign in and attend a safety and instruction briefing (beginners are welcome and no previous experience is necessary). 

You’ll be given your life jackets and kayak skirts (to stop you from getting drenched!) and you’ll be shown some basic kayaking skills. 

Then it’s time to board the boat, and ride out into Lake Superior! 

You’ll be organized into groups, and introduced to your tour guide. You’ll then climb aboard your kayaks and be lowered into the water in turn, and you’ll follow your instructor’s directions about where to go. 

Your guide will take you right up close to the rocks, and if you’re feeling confident, you can also navigate your way through caves and narrow openings between the rocks, which is super fun! 

Plenty of people found themselves getting stuck from time to time, but the instructors were always on hand to help kayakers out of any tight spots, so don’t worry!

The main boat stays close by during the trip for any emergencies, and then takes you back to shore once the kayaking is over. This was such a fun experience, and a wonderful way to experience the cliffs up close.

Top tips:

1. Be prepared for cancellations or alternative routes – we actually ended up kayaking around Grand Island instead on the day we had booked, as the waves were too choppy to kayak the Pictured Rocks. But it was still worth it, and the company offers an immediate partial refund in these situations.
2. Pack a waterproof case for your phone that you can wear round your neck.
3. Interact with your guide! The more you ask, the more they’ll share. Some will even take pictures for you!
4. You can take snacks/drinks on the boat – you’ll be glad of them after two hours on the water!

Pictured Rocks Michigan on Foot

We waved at plenty of hikers exploring the cliffs, or enjoying the variety of Pictured Rocks beaches from our boat tour. We didn’t have time to fit in the hikes as well, but it’s definitely on our list for our next visit. 

We spotted hikers standing right at the top of the Grand Portal , and that looked like a magical viewpoint to be able to experience!

There are hiking options to suit all levels, and they range from short and easy (Miners Castle Trail) to medium (Mosquito Falls Trail, Spray Falls Trail) and all-day (Chapel Loop Trail).

For the best guidance and options, visit the National Park Service at one of their visitor centers to find trail details and condition updates before you set off.

Top tips:

1. Check conditions/weather before you set out.
2. Wear appropriate sturdy footwear for the trails.
3. Bring a map – wifi can be sketchy in the UP!

4 More Experiences at Pictured Rocks

If you think soaring, painted cliffs was the full gig, we’ve got news for you: there’s more to do at Pictured Rocks Michigan.

1 – Hike to a Lighthouse and See Shipwreck Remains

Shipwrecks are kind of a thing on Lake Superior. While you won’t find the legendary remains of the Edmund Fitzgerald, you can get glimpses of other vessels that have met their fate in these deep, icy waters.

To see shipwrecks and a lighthouse, head to the Hurricane River Campground, which is the trailhead for a 1.5 mile hike out to the picturesque Au Sable Light Station.

The route will take you along the Lake Superior shoreline, and you’ll discover exposed shipwreck fragments on the beach. You can then take a 30-40 minute tour of the lighthouse itself, climb to the top for the beautiful views and visit the museum.

Top tips:

1. Bring exact change ($5) for the light station tour.
2. In the summer months, the black biting flies can be fierce, so wear clothing that covers legs and arms, and bring bug spray!
3. Tours run Wed-Sun, from mid-June to end September, from 11am to 3.30pm.

2 – Take a Shipwreck Boat Cruise

Still fascinated by the ships that didn’t survive the unforgiving Lake Superior storms?

Take the unique glass-bottom shipwreck tour, which lasts two hours and takes you on a fully-narrated historical tour of two shipwreck sites, the East Channel Lighthouse and the cliffs and beaches of Grand Island.

In the best conditions, you can see as far as 45 feet below the surface!

Top tips:

1. Reserve ahead! Tours run every day from Memorial Weekend until September 30th.
2. Bring a jacket, even on a warm day.
3. Don’t let rain or fog deter you – often less sunny weather conditions make for greater visibility underwater!

3 – Discover the Many Pictured Rocks Waterfalls

Pictured Rocks Lakeshore is home to more than just the impressive Spray Falls and Bridalveil Falls that you see from the boat tours.

There are countless other waterfall trails to explore, and most of them are accessible on foot!

These include: Munising Falls, Miners Falls, Sable Falls, Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls. Choose a hike length and accessibility to suit you!

Top tips:

1. Munising Falls is particularly stunning in winter when it freezes, and the trail is open year-round.
2. Miners Falls is a special treat in the springtime, when the wildflowers are in bloom.
3. Sable Falls is best viewed from the bottom of a 168-step staircase. So just be prepared to walk back up again!

4 – Take in the Views at Log Slide Overlook

Seven miles west of Grand Marais, you’ll find an easy hike out to Log Slide Overlook. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was home to a long wooden chute for sending logs down to the lake, to then be floated to saw mills in Grand Marais.

Just a short walk from the parking area, you’ll reach the lookout point, where you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of Lake Superior, including the Au Sable lighthouse.

You can even climb down (and back up) the steep dune if you are feeling energetic enough.

Top tips:

1. Be warned that getting down the dune takes minutes, but getting back up can take over an hour.
2. There are overhangs near the bottom of the dune that you can’t see from above.
3. Watch out for poison ivy on your walk out to the overlook.

Pictured Rocks Lodging

Hotels by Pictured Rocks  

There are plenty of hotel options in Munising, which is the western border of Pictured Rocks. There’s a Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn Express and AmericInn, plus a host of motels to choose from. You can find an extensive list of accommodations here.

Also check Vrbo and Airbnb for additional options. We stayed farther out, nearer to Marquette (about 50 minutes west), at this absolute gem and were so happy we found it! 

Cabin Rentals Near Pictured Rocks Michigan

If some rustic charm is more your vibe, then consider booking a cabin for your stay. 

Pictured Rocks Cabins are ideal for a couples’ getaway, with one-bedroom accommodations boasting outdoor firepits, porch swings, love seats and outdoor gas grills. They have two duplex cabins available.

Hilltop Cabins in Grand Marais have a number of two and three-bedroom cabins available, overlooking Lake Superior. All have full kitchens and come complete with all the amenities you would hope for in a vacation rental. An ideal choice for bigger groups.

If you are willing to stay further out (about 2 hours), the Tahquamenon Falls-Lodge is a fun choice for larger parties, sleeping up to 8 people, although in the summer months it must be rented by the week. 

Or for a truly back-to-basics stay, you could try the Rivermouth Pines Camper Cabin within the Tahquamenon State Park grounds.  Sleeping up to 7 people, it has electric outlets and wall-mounted heating units, but no restrooms or running water. Vault toilets are available on the campsite itself. 

Camping near Pictured Rocks

Camping is definitely a fun (and cost-effective) way to enjoy your stay in the UP.

There are three drive in-campgrounds within the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore itself: TwelveMile Beach is the biggest, followed by Hurricane River, and Little Beaver Lake, which has just 8 spots. 

All three sites require reservations, so you can’t just show up! Bookings can be made up to six months in advance and cost just $25 per night, per site.

For all sites, be aware that this is bear country, so anything with a scent will have to be stored in bear-safe boxes, and there is likely to be no cellphone reception.

Another option is the pet-friendly Munising Tourist Park situated right on the shore of Lake Superior, with breathtaking views. This city-owned campground is an ideal base for exploring the Pictured Rocks.

A little further out, Au Train offers both beach and lake campgrounds. We swam at the gorgeous Au Train beach, and the water was warm and crystal clear.

It’s a beautiful bay, and is located further up the coast towards Marquette, so it’s a great location for exploring beyond the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Pictured Rocks

The summer months are undoubtedly the peak visitors’ season, as this is when most attractions, such as the boat tours and lighthouses are open, and the weather is warmest.

Having said that, the Fall colors in the UP are known to be stunning, while the waterfalls tend to be at their peak flow in May and June. 

But  you can’t discount a Winter trip either! The frozen waterfalls are beautiful, and you can try your hand snow-shoeing the hiking trails or even snowmobiling and ice climbing!

Whether you are visiting the UP purely for the Pictured Rocks, or as part of a longer trip, you won’t be disappointed to see this natural phenomenon in all its glory, up close and personal. 

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