Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Quick answers

When is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore open?

Usually Mon–Sun open 24 hours. Details

When is the best time to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are June, July, and August. Details

How much does it cost to get in?

Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $15 for a snowmobile, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle. Details

When is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore open?

• Mon–Sun open 24 hours

From 56 published days, 2026-11-08 to 2027-01-02; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

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.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Store / concessions, Visitor center, Drinking water, Showers.

When is the best time to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are June, July, and August.

The weather works against it in January, February, March, April, October, November, and December.

The warmest month is August, with average highs near 71°F (22°C); the coolest is January, near 24°F (-4°C).

October is the wettest month, with about 4.6 in (117 mm) of precipitation in a typical October.

Typical weather, 25-year Meteorological and Solar Monthly & Annual Climatologies (January 2001 - December 2025). Data from NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project (CC BY 4.0)

Getting in to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: fees and parking

Published entrance fees: $15 per person, $15 for a snowmobile, $20 for a motorcycle, and $25 for a private vehicle.

Prices as published by US National Park Service, as of 2026-10-11; check before you travel.

Official facts

On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's mapped point sits in the very low wildfire hazard class; the map describes the land rather than any day's fire danger.

Protected waters: 298 km². None of it is no-take.

Boating: Vessel use restricted; anchoring unrestricted.

Fishing: Commercial and Recreational Fishing Restricted.

Conservation focus: Natural Heritage and Cultural Heritage. Protects the whole ecosystem. Site-Specific Management Plan.

IUCN category: V (Protected landscape or seascape).

Protection level: Uniform Multiple Use.

Marine protection: National Lakeshore. Listed as "Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore" in NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Inventory, managed by National Park Service, established 1966.

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 35,962 acres (14,553 ha).

Designation: National Lakeshore. Listed as "Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Established: 1966.

Managed by: NPS.

NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries) with the US Department of the Interior, MPA Inventory 2023 · U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Waterfalls scenic feature
• Backpacking trail
• Hiking trails trail
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

Pets are permitted on various beaches, in the Miners area, in drive-in campgrounds, on some waterfall trails, the access road to the Au Sable Light Station, and certain other locations.You are responsible to know where you can and cannot take your pet

Limits

Launching or landing a drone within the boundaries of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is not permitted

⚠ Park closure: Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice

The Munising Falls Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is closed until further notice. Approximately 75-feet of the paved trail was washed out April 28th from recent heavy rainfall and seasonal snow melt.

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Accessible Fishing Dock

Visitor center

Au Sable Light Station

Visitor center

Grand Marais Ski Area

Visitor center

Grand Sable Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grand Sable Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grand Sable Visitor Center

Visitor center

Grand Sable Visitor Center — The Grand Sable Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm, starting June 1st. — From Grand Marais drive west on H-58. The Grand Sable Visitor Center is located, on the right, 2.7 miles from Grand Marais. From Munising the Grand Sable Visitor Center is 60.8 miles east on H-58. To take the longer route, follow M-28 toward Seney. At Seney turn onto M-77. Follow M-77 for 25 miles north to Grand Marais.

Visitor center

Ice Fishing at Pictured Rocks

Visitor center

Log Slide

Visitor center

Miners Beach

Visitor center

Miners Castle

Visitor center

Miners Castle Visitor Contact Station — The Miners Castle Visitor Contact Station is open late spring to early fall. — From Munising, head east on Munising Ave/H-58, 4 miles outside of Munising, take a left onto Miners Castle Road. Follow Miners Castle Road 6 miles to reach the Miners Castle Visitor Contact Station.

Facilities on the park map

8 benches, 14 picnic areas, 54 restrooms, 22 visitor information, 12 water fountains.

Where to stay

• Au Sable East Group Backpacking Site Au Sable Point East Group Campground is 0.2 miles west of the Au Sable Light Station and inland from the North Country Trail. The group campsite is surrounded by a coniferous forest. There is access to Lake Superior with a view of the Grand Sable Dunes. One shared fire ring and pit toilet. Water source is Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers. · 1 campsite
• Au Sable East Individual Backpacking Sites Au Sable Point East Campground is next to the Au Sable Point East Group Campground. Due to the dense forest, you are unable to see the neighboring campground. The six campsites are scattered throughout the trees. Shared fire ring and pit toilet. Water source is Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers · 6 campsites
• Beaver Creek Individual Backpacking Sites Beaver Creek Campground is on the bluff above Lake Superior and Beaver Creek in the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The six campsites are dispersed throughout the sandy grounds, shaded by pine trees. There is one communal fire ring with a view of Lake Superior. Shared pit toilet. Water source is Lake Superior and Beaver Creek. Lake Superior access for kayakers. · 6 campsites
• Benchmark Individual Backpacking Sites Benchmark Campground is on a sandy bluff above Lake Superior. The six campsites are sandy and open. There are social trails that lead down to Lake Superior, but it is a steep climb back to your campsite. When hiking from the west, walk through Twelvemile Beach Campground to the trailhead and day use area to connect back to the North Country Trail. Two shared fire rings and a pit toilet. Water sour · 6 campsites
• Chapel Individual Backpacking Sites Chapel Beach Campground sits on the sand bluff above Chapel Beach and Lake Superior. Chapel Beach is a popular day use area, so the six sites here offer less isolation than other backcountry campgrounds. Shared pit toilet. Water source is Chapel Creek and Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers. NO CAMPFIRES. · 6 campsites
• Cliffs Group Backpacking Site Cliffs Group Campground is one mile east of Cliffs Campground. It lies high above Lake Superior and inland from the North Country Trail. You will not be able to see the lake from the campground in the summer. There are spots along the North Country Trail near the campground to get a glimpse of Grand Island and Lake Superior. One shared fired ring and pit toilet. Visitors must bring water. NO ACCES · 1 campsite
• Cliffs Individual Backpacking Sites Cliffs Campground rests high above Lake Superior inland from the North Country Trail. The three campsites are in an open area with little cover between sites. During the summer months when the foliage is at its peak, you cannot see Lake Superior from the campground. There are places along the trail to sneak a peek of Grand Island and the lake. One shared fired ring and pit toilet. Visitors must br · 3 campsites
• Coves Group Backpacking Site Coves Group Campground is three miles east of Chapel Beach. You are still up on the cliff line, but have started your descent towards Twelvemile Beach. Hike east on the North Country Trail about a quarter mile to find a trail to a small cove and beach on Lake Superior; this is where you have access to water. One shared fire ring and pit toilet. No access for kayakers due to 1/4 mile portage. · 1 campsite
• Coves Individual Backpacking Sites Coves Campground is inland from the North Country Trail, hidden behind the pine trees and ferns. There are two entry points to the campground. The campground trail leads through the forest where you will find five campsites and two designated metal communal fire rings. There is Lake Superior and beach access from the bluff along the North Country Trail. Water source is Lake Superior. Shared pit to · 5 campsites
• Grand Sable Lake Boat-In Site Grand Sable Lake on the park's east end has one boat-in backcountry campsite. Campers must provide their own boat and launch at the Grand Sable Lake boat launch. The campground is 1/2 mile south of the boat launch along the east shore. One fire ring and pit toilet. Water source is Grand Sable Lake. Ideal for kayakers and canoers. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: Not accessible.
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