Access and Accessibility
Munising, on the western end of the lakeshore, is accessed by M-28 and M-94. Grand Marais, on the eastern end, is reached by M-77.
Paved highways penetrate part way into the lakeshore from both ends. Travelers seeking to drive from one end of the lakeshore to the other must use County Road H-58. Roads only come close to the shoreline near Miners Castle, 12 Mile Beach, and the Grand Sable Dunes. The rest of the shoreline is only seen from land by hiking.
A 42-mile (67-km) section of the North Country Trail spans the lakeshore.
Pictured Rocks Cruises offers daily trips from Memorial Day weekend through October 10. Sea kayaking is a popular method of exploring the park. While this may be the best way to see the natural formations, it is a serious trip in dangerous and cold water, which should not be undertaken lightly or without proper equipment. Guides are available. The most efficient port of entry to Pictured Rocks, for a sea kayak, is from the harbor at Munising.
Backcountry Camping is allowed with a permit along many miles of the National Lakeshore.
Winter sports activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Pictured Rocks has worked to make much of its rugged environment accessible, including the following:
- Interagency Visitor Center, Munising Falls Interpretive Center, and Miners Castle Information Station in Munising
- Grand Sable Visitor Center in Grand Marais
- Each drive-in campground has at least one handicapped accessible campsite with an extended picnic table, boardwalk, pedestal fire grate, and nearby rest room.
- Log Slide overlook
- All Miners Castle overlooks (however, the lower overlook trail includes stairs and is steep)
- Munising Falls viewing platform trail is paved.
- Boardwalk at the Sand Point Marsh Trail. A large-print guide is available.
- Sand Point beach parking and sidewalks are paved. There is a fully accessible picnic site. The boardwalk enables visitors to go part of the way to Lake Superior.
Read more about this topic: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
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