DISCOVER
PICTURED ROCKS
See All Pictured Rocks Has to Offer
Nestled along Lake Superior’s Southern shore in the middle of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Shoreline is one of many attractions in the Munising area. From dappled sunlight hiking trails to cascading waterfalls, ancient rock formations to ice caves, there’s so much to see, do and experience in the UP! We want your Upper Michigan vacation to be packed with fun and memorable moments, so check out some of these amazing area attractions that you’ll want to visit while here.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It extends for 42 miles along the shore and covers 73,236 acres ). The park offers spectacular scenery of the hilly shoreline between Munising, Michigan and Grand Marais, Michigan, with various rock formations like natural archways, waterfalls, and sand dunes.
Pictured Rocks derives its name from the 15 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs northeast of Munising. The cliffs are up to 200 feet above lake level. They have been naturally sculptured into shallow caves, arches, formations that resemble castle turrets, and human profiles, among others. Near Munising visitors also can view Grand Island, most of which is included in the Grand Island National Recreation.
Indian Head Rock
This gargantuan rock formation is named after what many say resembles an old ‘Indian Head’ carved into an impressive point of Pictured Rocks. The cliffs of Indian Head are nearly vertical walls from the Lake Superior to its peak. “Paddle and Hike Tour”
Rainbow Cave
Rainbow Cave in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the largest sea cave seen on kayak tours known for its multi-colored copper stains. The colors on the Pictured Rocks cliffs are caused by minerals like iron, copper, manganese, and limonite being deposited as stains when groundwater seeps through cracks and trickles down the rock face. Red and orange stains are caused by iron, blue and green by copper, brown and black by manganese, and white by limonite. You are able to see this magnificent feature on the Paddle & Hike tour.
Bay Furnace
A short 1/8 mile accessible trail encircles the recently stabilized ruins of a blast furnace where pig iron was made between 1870 and 1877. One of the last remaining structures of its kind in the Upper Peninsula, it is also a good place to view Lake Superior and Grand Island.
Grand Island
Grand Island stretches north for 8 miles, from its southpoint at Williams Landing in Munising Bay to the north end at North Point. Only three miles across at its widest point, Grand lsland offers 35 miles of shoreline, encompassing over 13,500 acres of dense woodland, including several lakes. Rapid-flowing streams cut through the rugged hills, and massive 300 foot wave-cut sandstone cliffs. Beaches of fine sand, winter ice caves and historic buildings and artifacts dating back as far as 2,000 BC are just a few of its highlights. Archeological investigations indicate that Grand Island has been inhabited for at least 3,300 years. In the 1660's, when the explorer priests arrived from France, the Ojibwa culture on Grand Island was already thriving.
Located only ½ mile offshore from Munising this island is 9 miles long and up to 3 miles wide with many beaches, sea caves, arches, cliffs, and wildlife abounds. Same geology as the Pictured Rocks. The first Settlers came to the Island in the early 1800's when trading for furs was the prime industry. Evidence of this activity is still apparent there. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1846, setting up a trading post there to trade with the Ojibway Indians.
Miners Castle
Miner's Castle is one of the most iconic formations at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Towering above the waters of Lake Superior in Michigan, this dramatic sandstone outcrop has been shaped by wind, waves, and ice over millions of years. Its distinctive “castle-like” turrets earned it its name, though erosion is constantly reshaping it, most notably in 2006, when one of its two turrets collapsed. This dynamic landscape is a powerful reminder of nature’s ability to both create and change. These are the best sea caves in the Pictured Rocks Area. See this on the "Morning Delight Tour".
Bridalveil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is a prominent seasonal waterfall that is nestled in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Bridal Veil Falls, earned its name from the way the water appears to flow like a veil as it cascades down the rock face. It flows over a hard vertical sandstone cap from about 140 feet up, down to softer sandstone, which makes it the tallest waterfall in Michigan. This cliff waterfall is best seen close up from the water on a Kayak tour. You are able to see this amazing feature of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Taste of the Rocks Tour, the Paddler’s Choice Tour, and the Paddle & Hike Tour.
Kissing Rock
Kissing Rock is a unique geological feature formed by erosion. at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This formation shows two giant rocks that seems to be "kissing" each other. It's a popular spot for kayaking tours, with paddlers guiding their kayaks through the narrow crevice created by the rocks. The rock formation is part of the wider Pictured Rocks experience, offering visitors a chance to explore the stunning sandstone cliffs and unique landscape of Lake Superior It's a must see destination at Pictured Rocks! You can see this feature on the Taste of the Rocks Tour, Paddler's Choice Tour, and Paddle & Hike Tour.
Shipwreck Point
Shipwreck Point is the point in the kayak tours where the George is visible. The George was a victim of a typical fall gale in Lake Superior. There was about 1,330 tons of coal loaded on the boat en route to Marquette when she ran into an intense snowstorm. It is lying in 15 feet of water at the mouth of a cove, about 120 feet of the hull is visible. This shipwreck is best seen from a kayak. You can learn more about The George on the Taste of the Rocks tour, the Paddler’s Choice tour, and the Paddle and Hike tour.
Mosquito River & Beach
This is where we normally take the lunch break on the “Paddlers Choice” and Paddle and Hike Tours. It is a remote beach only accessible by kayak or by foot. There is some great swimming here on some days. You can see where Mosquito river flows into Lake Superior here! It is also a relatively short walk to observe the Lovers leap Arch and Mosquito Falls.
Lovers Leap Arch
Lover's Leap Arch is the most photographed place in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Michigan. It is one of the most dramatic parts of the cliffs, which are up to 200 feet high and exhibit a variety of colors due to mineral staining. It's really fun to go kayaking through. You can ask your guide about the Native American legend of how it was named. "Paddlers Choice" and "Paddle and Hike" tours.
Caves of the Bloody Chiefs
The "Caves of the Bloody Chiefs" are a notable feature within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Michigan, best seen by kayaking. Local legend says the native American Tribes placed their prisoners of war here. Seen on the “Paddlers Choice” and “Paddle and Hike” tours.
Grand Portal Arch
This was truly the most magnificent feature of the Pictured Rocks until rock collapses from erosion in 1900 and 1999 blocked the archway that sailing ships once traversed. You can see this stunning feature during the Paddle and Hike Tour.
Battleship Row
Battleship row is a unique rock formation that resembles the sterns of a row of battleships. This is located just prior to reaching Chapel Beach in Pictured Rocks. You can kayak super close to these cliffs on the “Paddle and Hike” tour.
Chapel Rock
This is the end Point of the "Paddle and Hike Tour". The sandstone that makes up Chapel Rock is part of the Munising Formation, a 500-million-year-old formation of Cambrian sandstone. Note the roots from Chapel Tree extending through the air to the ground adjacent to it.
Falcon Cove
The vegetation on the cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore attracts many Peregrine Falcons into this cove to nest and feed. These falcons falcons can dive at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. If you're lucky, you may even see one of these diving on the Taste of the Rocks tour, the Paddler's Choice, or the Paddle and Hike Tour. It also features a few smaller caves with turquoise blue waters that you can kayak into!
Painted Coves
Gaze up as you kayak through these coves with 200' tall sandstone walls gleaming with several different mineral stains in a variety of colors. The colors on the Pictured Rocks cliffs are caused by minerals like iron, copper, manganese, and limonite being deposited as stains when groundwater seeps through cracks and trickles down the rock face. Red and orange stains are caused by iron, blue and green by copper, brown and black by manganese, and white by limonite. You can see this feature on our Taste of the Rocks tour, Paddlers Choice Tour, and our Paddle and Hike Tour.
Miners Beach
This sugar sand beach is the starting point for all of our Pictured Rocks kayak tours.
Echo Falls
One of the tallest waterfalls on Grand Island that spills over the cliff edge and drops into Lake Superior.
Lower Potato Patch Falls
This little waterfall is named after where the first generation of loggers in the area kept their potato patch.
Chapel Falls
This waterfall is located on the chapel trail in Pictured Rocks and can be seen on the Paddle and Hike tour as you hike out at the end of the day.
Flower Vase
Carved sandstone that is narrow at the water line and widens at the top with deciduous tree growing up resembling flowers in a vase, this rock along with many others were way points for the early Voyageurs as they made their way along the shores of Lake Superior during the fur trade.
