Parks / Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore · MI
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.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (1)
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.
Entrance Fees
Thank you for supporting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! Fees collected by buying an entrance pass or America the Beautiful Pass are used to support visitor services and improvements around the park like creating new waysides, maintaining campsites and public use areas, and incorporating accessibility features into the park. Entrance fees apply to all park visitors aged 16 and older. All vehicles must display their pass clearly through the windshield. Be sure your signature and the expiration date are visible! Areas of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore have limited or no connectivity so if purchasing online, please download your pass to your mobile device and print a hard copy before arriving at the park.
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Annual Pass admits a driver and passengers in a private vehicle, a single person walk-in, bicycle-in, or snowmobile-in for 12 months from purchase date.
Campgrounds (25)
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.
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
Details →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.
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 source is Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers.
Details →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.
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 ACCESS TO WATER.
Details →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 bring water. NO ACCESS TO WATER.
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.
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 toilet. Lake Superior access for kayakers.
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.
Hurricane River Campground
There are two loops: 11 campsites in the lower loop and ten in the upper loop. Both loops include one disabled- accessible campsite. Several campsites are designated as generator-free. Because the turning radius and some parking site lengths are limited within this campground, we recommend single vehicles no more than 36 feet and vehicle/trailer combined length no more than 42 feet use this campground. The campground is open by reservation only, mid-May through mid-October. Leashed pets allowed.
Details →Little Beaver Lake Campground
Little Beaver Lake Campground has 8 campsites on a beautiful inland lake. One campsite is disabled- accessible. Single unit vehicles in excess of 36 feet and vehicle/trailer combined units in excess of 42 feet are prohibited at Little Beaver because of the small campsites and the narrow, twisting, hilly access road. Pets are NOT allowed at this campground. The campground is open by reservation only, mid-May through mid-October. Closed the rest of the year.
Details →Lowney Creek Group Backpacking Site
Lowney Creek Group Campground is one mile from Little Beaver Lake Campground and 2.5 miles inland from Lake Superior. Lowney Creek Group Campground is in the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The trail to the campground follows the Beaver Lake shoreline. Water source is Beaver Lake. One shared fire ring and NO toilet. Water access to this campground is via Little Beaver Lake, then Beaver Lake.
Lowney Creek Individual Backpacking Sites
Lowney Creek Campground is 1.5 miles from Little Beaver Lake Campground and three miles inland from Lake Superior. Lowney Creek Campground is in the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The four sites are in a meadow scattered with big trees on the south shore of Beaver Lake. Lowney Creek is on the east side of the campground. One shared fire ring and NO toilet. Water source is Lowney Creek and Beaver Lake. Water access to the campground is via Little Beaver Lake, then Beaver Lake.
Masse Homestead Group Backpacking Site
Masse Homestead Group Campground is to the west of the regular campground. It too is at the base of the dunes in a thick forest canopy. One shared fire ring and NO toilet. Visitors must bring water. NO ACCESS TO WATER.
Details →Masse Homestead Individual Backpacking Sites
Masse Homestead Campground is at the base of the dunes (south side) and sheltered due to the thick forest canopy. The three campsites are close together at the base of the dunes. One shared fire ring and NO toilet. Visitors must bring water. NO ACCESS TO WATER.
Details →Mosquito River Group Backpacking Site
Mosquito River Group Campground is on the west side of Mosquito River just a few steps away from the North Country Trail. There is a bluff near the campsite overlooking Lake Superior, which provides easy access to Mosquito Beach and the river. Shared pit toilet. Water source is Mosquito River and Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers. NO CAMPFIRES.
Mosquito River Individual Backpacking Sites
Mosquito River Campground is on the east side of the Mosquito River high above the lake. Depending upon which of the five campsites you choose, you can hear the waves crashing on the cliffs or the Mosquito River flowing into Lake Superior. Shared pit toilet. Water source is Mosquito River and Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers. NO CAMPFIRES.
Pine Bluff Individual Backpacking Sites
Pine Bluff sites are on a sandy bluff above Lake Superior just off the North Country Trail. The five campsites are on a sandy open area covered in ferns with pine trees scattered throughout the area. Access the beach and Lake Superior from a trail on the bluff at the entrance to the campground.
Potato Patch Individual Backpacking Sites
Potato Patch Campground is inland from the North Country Trail. Follow a trail through an open field with the sounds of a waterfall at your back. The fire ring is at the entrance to the campground. Follow the trail to the right to reach each of the three sites. Within the campground, the view of Grand Island and Lake Superior is blocked during the summer by the birch and maple leaves. One shared fire ring and pit toilet. Visitors must bring water. NO ACCESS TO WATER.
Sevenmile Creek Group Backpacking Site
Sevenmile Creek Group Campground is on the east side of Sevenmile Creek. The North Country Trail guides you over a foot bridge, through the woods and opens up into the group site. It is a wide-open area with access to Lake Superior. One shared fire ring and NO toilet. Water source is Sevenmile Creek and Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers.
Details →Sevenmile Creek Individual Backpacking Sites
Sevenmile Creek Campground is on the west bank of Sevenmile Creek. The North Country Trail wanders through the campground and past the communal fire ring. The sites are separated by trees, which offer a bit of privacy. Three of the five sites are along the creek. Lake Superior access is on the east side of the creek through the Sevenmile Creek Group Campground. NO toilet. Water source is Sevenmile Creek and Lake Superior. Lake Superior access for kayakers.
Details →Trappers Lake Group Backpacking Site
Trappers Lake Group Campground is a little over a mile inland from the North Country Trail and 0.2 miles east of Trappers Lake Campground. It is on the north shore of Trappers Lake in the Beaver Basin Wilderness. One shared fire ring and pit toilet. Water source is Trappers Lake. This is a hike-in campground only; kayakers cannot access this campground.
Trappers Lake Individual Backpacking Sites
Trappers Lake Campground is in the heart of the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The five campsites are on the north shore of Trappers Lake. This campground is a quiet hideaway located about one mile inland from the North Country Trail. One shared fire ring and pit toilet. Water source is Trappers Lake. This is a hike-in campground only; kayakers cannot access this campground.
Details →Twelvemile Beach Campground
The campground's 36 sites are located on a high sandy plateau above Twelvemile Beach on Lake Superior. Some sites have a lake view. There are two disabled-accessible campsites. Generator use is prohibited in the campground's west loop. There are three sets of stairs to the beach. The North Country National Scenic Trail treks through the campground. The 2-mile White Birch Nature Trail begins and ends here. The campground is open by reservation only, mid-May through mid-October. Leashed pets allowed.
Details →Upcoming Events
Au Sable Lighthouse Climbs
Aug 31, 2026 · Meet at the Au Sable Lighthouse. Park at the Hurricane River Day Use area and walk 1.5 miles east on the lighthouse trail.
Geology Walking Tour
Aug 31, 2026
Marsh Trail Walk
Sep 2, 2026 · Meet at the entrance to the Sand Point Marsh Trail.
Wilderness Canoe Expedition
Sep 3, 2026 · Meet at the Little Beaver Campground Boat Launch.
Fish with a Ranger
Sep 4, 2026 · Meet at the Grand Sable Lake Accessible Fishing Dock
Things to Do
Backcountry Camping at Pictured Rocks
Pictured Rocks offers a variety of backpacking opportunities for individuals and groups. Most backcountry campgrounds are along the North Country National Scenic Trail, and many are close to Lake Superior.
Commercial Tours
Several authorized companies offer guided kayak tours, ice climbing activities, and hiking/camping trips in the park.
Drive-In Camping at Pictured Rocks
Pictured Rocks has three drive-in campgrounds open May 15 through Oct. 15. Two are along Lake Superior and the third is on a beautiful inland lake.
Kayaking and Kayak Safety
Thinking about kayaking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore? Make sure you have the right kind of boat and are aware of all safety issues!
Non-Kayak Boating at Pictured Rocks
There's more to boating at Pictured Rocks than just kayaking! Bring your canoe, motorized boat, sailboat, or paddleboard to the park.
Pictured Rocks Cruises Boat Tour
Taking a narrated boat tour is the easiest way to view the colorful Pictured Rocks cliffs.
Places To See in One Hour
You could easily spend half a day exploring any of these locations, but if you only have an hour to see some quick scenic sites, here are some options!
Snowshoeing at Pictured Rocks
Snowshoeing is a very popular winter sport at Pictured Rocks. There is one official trail, but almost the entire park is open for snowshoeing.
Swimming at Pictured Rocks
Pictured Rocks has several beautiful beach areas for swimming and wading in Lake Superior. Two of the park's inland lakes have sandy bottom areas suitable for swimming. There are no lifeguarded beaches.
Walks and Hikes of One Mile or Less
Pictured Rocks offers 100 miles of hiking and walking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Here are some of the shorter trails.
Walks and Hikes Over a Mile
Longer hikes and walks lead to stunning cliff views, remote beaches, the Beaver Basin Wilderness, Au Sable Lighthouse, and many other scenic areas.
Visitor Centers
- Grand Sable Visitor Center
- Miners Castle Visitor Contact Station
- Munising Falls Visitor Center
Source: National Park Service.