Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Munising, MI |
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|---|---|---|---|
Rating |
Excellent |
Age |
5 and up |
Lockers |
Not Available |
Restrooms |
At most of the trailheads |
Food |
Munising |
Closest Coffee |
In Town |
Recommendation |
Munising |
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Review: by Dad
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a wild and wonderful place. It is situated along Lake Superior in Munising Bay. There are many places to stay and restaraunts to eat in in the town of Munising, which sits on the southern end of the bay, and it is a few miles from the headquarters of the National Lakeshore.
The National Lakeshore encompases a hardwood wilderness and the shores of the largest fresh water lake in the world (there is some dispute about this, but I'm stickiing with Superior). There are completely unspoiled beaches, beautiful cliffs, and wonderful waterfalls. There are over 100 miles of trails, but many of the sights are within a half mile of a parking lot, so you don't have to walk far if you do not want to.
We took the Miner's Castle trail, which is very short, and a must-do. Miner's Castle is the iconic image of the Pictured Rocks. If you go to the web site that we have posted here you will see it. Another short trail we took was the Miner's Falls trail. This takes you right to a nice waterfall. The trail we liked most though took us out to a beach. This trail was about 1.5 miles long. When we got to the beach there were exactly 5 other people and one dog. It was one of those rare days when the water and weather was warm enough to swim a little. (Don't expect to swim in Lake Superior, it is rarely above 60 degrees). On one side of the creek that ended here in the lake we had beach, on the other a cliff face. It was really interesting to compare the two landscapes.
Two other great things to do in Munising are the Pictured Rocks boat tours and the Shipwreck cruise.
If you go, plan on bringing bug spray and sun screen. It is also important to dress for the weather. Northern Michigan is famous for weather changes. There is a saying that if you don't like the weather "just wait a couple of minutes." It is best to dress in layers and keep raingear on hand. We keep those cheap little rain ponchos as they take up very little room. It is not a surprise to wake to 50 degree mornings, spend the afternoon in the 80's and kick back down to the 60's when the sun sets.
Other Reviews:
Sam: The falls here in the park are wonderful, but they were in very dark places. The next time we go I will get some better pictures.
Will: The private beach walk was one of my favorite things ever.