• Little Portal Point at sunset. Photo copyright Craig Blacklock

    Pictured Rocks

    National Lakeshore Michigan

  • Fire Ban in Effect

    A FIRE BAN in all drive-in and hike-in campgrounds, effective at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 24. Due to very hazardous conditions, the ban is in effect until further notice.

  • Chapel Road - last quarter mile closed

    The last quarter-mile of Chapel Road is closed due to construction. Only very limited parking available along Chapel Road. Please park at Miners Beach. More »

  • Sable Falls re-opens, Friday, May 25, 5 p.m.

    The trail and stairs to Sable Falls are closed due to a collapse of the stream bank. Work is nearly done, and the trail will re-open for Memorial Day weekend!

Special Access to Au Sable Light Station

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Date: June 16, 2011
Contact: Gregg Bruff, 906-387-2607, ext. 208

Au Sable Light Station with summer blue sky and wispy clouds.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Altran are offering special access Saturdays to the Au Sable Light Station within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for mobility impaired individuals. The Saturdays are June 18, July 16, August 20, and September 24. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"We began this transportation program in 2006," remarked Gregg Bruff, Chief of Heritage Education at the Lakeshore. "Every year folks who would not have been able to walk to the lighthouse take advantage of the special transportation with Altran. Ranger Karena Minor is there to offer tours and discuss the history of the light station." 

Visitors may catch the Altran van to the lighthouse on the hour in the lower Hurricane River day use parking area near the bridge on Alger Road H-58. Round trip fee for transportation is $5. The lighthouse tour fee is $3 per person.  There is no charge for visiting the lighthouse grounds.

Once the van arrives at Au Sable, getting around the site is up to the individual. Visitors should be aware there are very sandy soils, narrow sidewalks, and only the boathouse is accessible on one floor. The other buildings require climbing steps.

"We are very grateful that Altran has again partnered with the lakeshore to offer this service because we recognize that not everyone can walk to the lighthouse," Bruff said. 

For more information, please contact the Grand Sable Visitor Center at 906-494-2660.

Did You Know?

Chapel Lake is shown with fall colors, a beautifu view of the northwoods in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Chapel Lake is one of several plunge pool lakes created by post glacial rivers after the Marquette advance of the most recent ice age. Its greatest depth is 140 feet. Other plunge pool lakes include Deer Lake and Ginpole Lake in Alger County, home of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. More...