More than forty-two miles of undeveloped beachfront on Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are protected as part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is one of only four national lakeshores in the United States, and it is safeguarded and administered by the National Park Service.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a great place to disconnect, set up camp, explore the outdoors, and kayak over towering cliffs that have been shaped by powerful winds, enormous ice sheets, and crashing waves. Those interested in landscape photography or animal observation will find this region to be a paradise. Travelers can also explore Michigan's Eben Ice Caves in The Upper Peninsula. Here are ten recommendations for enjoying one's time in such a remarkable setting.
10 Tour The Historic Au Sable Lighthouse And Take In Breathtaking Views Of Lake Superior
The historic Au Sable Lighthouse is near the northern end of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan and is one of the many beautiful places to visit in Michigan. To this day, seamen still much appreciate the original 1874 lighthouse that was built on Lake Superior. In 1961, it was decommissioned, and the National Park Service later restored it. The lighthouse may be climbed for tours, and the viewing platform offers panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings. Visitors and photographers love coming to view the lighthouse because of its spectacular location on a cliff above the lake.
9 View The Ice Walls With Awe
Michigan has many top-rated tourist attractions. The ice curtains in the area are a popular tourist attraction for visitors to Pictured Rocks and the neighboring areas. Blue, green, and gray ice curtains form as water seeps through sandstone and freezes. On average, ice begins to develop in December and lasts until early April. The ice columns closest to the road are along Sand Point Road. Visitors may be able to witness ice curtains that are 20 to 50 feet in height. Some ice and cliffs are visible through the woods, but there are no established trails leading to them.
8 Cruise The Graveyard Coast And Check Out The Wrecks
On the "Graveyard Coast" of Lake Superior, visitors may uncover sunken ships from a wide range of time periods. The seashore has been relatively unspoiled despite the increasing human population and industrial activity nearby. Most shipwrecks in the area can only be seen by scuba divers or visitors using glass-bottom boats. On the other hand, between Hurricane River Campground and Au Sable Light Station, there could be several shipwrecks to explore. Visitors should not remove any valuables from the vessels or tamper with the debris in any way. Most of Pictured Rocks' shoreline is under permanent protection thanks to the Alger Underwater Preserve.
7 Spend Some Time At Twelvemile Beach
This slice of heaven is twelve miles long and is situated smack dab in the midst of the Lakeshore. It features miles of gorgeous white sand and azure seas, and there is plenty of opportunity to get away from the throng here. The beach may be reached from the parking area of the Twelvemile Beach Campground, which is only a short walk away but requires a significant number of stairs to descend the bluff. This is yet another wonderful place to watch the sunset at night, and dogs are permitted to accompany their owners here.
6 Relax At Sandpoint Beach And Watch The Sun Go Down
This stunning beach is teeming with activity throughout the day, from early-morning kayakers to holidaymakers seeking a lovely place to snooze. Because there are fewer people on the beach after dark, tourists have plenty of room to set up their camp and watch the sunset. Every evening, as it sinks below the horizon behind Grand Island and the coastline, the sun paints the sky in a spectacular display of pinks and oranges. A view of the scenery that is unimpeded may be had from the beach.
5 Take A Look At The Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse
The East Channel Light on Grand Island, approximately north of Munising, was originally constructed completely of wood in 1868 and later refurbished. Location on a private island means visitors will need to take a boat ride or kayak to reach it from the Pictured Rocks. Towards Grand Island's southeast coast stands the East Channel Lighthouse. The island of Grand is currently open to the public as a National Recreation Area (NRA), but the lighthouse is privately owned and not accessible to the general public.
4 Take In The Calm At Log Slide Overlook
Views of Lake Superior and the Grand Sable Dunes may be seen in their entirety from the Log Slide Overlook, which is located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. The Log Slide is built at the former site of a wooden chute that was utilized by loggers to convey lumber from the top of the dune all the way down to Lake Superior, where the logs would be loaded onto boats in preparation for transportation. Today, the Log Slide is known as the Log Slide. About 7 miles to the west of Grand Marais, Michigan, is where tourists will find this lookout.
3 Travel To Grand Island
The moniker "Grand Island" is well deserved since this island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is nothing short of magnificent. Unspoiled beaches, towering sandstone cliffs, peaceful lakes, and old hardwood forests all make this island one of many fun things to check out in Michigan. To spend the summer on Grand Island is to spend it wisely. There are almost 40 miles of challenging mountain bike trails and beautiful walking paths just waiting to be discovered. Due to the clarity of the water, kayaking in Lake Superior is an enjoyable activity. Travelers can also sleep beneath the starry sky in a tent or a log cabin. If one is craving some excitement, Grand Island is the place to go.
2 Alger Underwater Preserve Scuba Diving
One of the best places to go scuba diving in Michigan is the Alger Underwater Diving Preserve, which is located not far from Munising. A few of the unique diving attractions available at this Underwater Preserve are sea caves, intact shipwrecks, and underwater interpretative walkways. The sea caves that can be seen today are the result of sandstone cliffs being worn by the ocean's waves. Even if the caves are just 20 feet deep, scuba diving there may be a fantastic experience. Not far from the dive-friendly city of Munising sits the Alger Preserve.
1 Cross-Country Skiing
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the ultimate winter destination. The terrain at Pictured Rocks is ideal for those interested in cross-country skiing. Both Munising and Grand Marais, which are located on opposite sides of the park, offer skiable terrain inside their respective areas. Beech, hemlock, fir, and maple woods, ancient gently sloping farming fields, and rocky hills built in the park's glacial past all combine to create a beautiful ecosystem that is rich in species and features a diverse range of topographic features. This park receives an average of more than 140 inches of snow each year, making skiing a popular activity throughout the winter months.