• 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!

Swimming & Diving

The white sands of Miners Beach stretch a half-mile just east of Miners Castle along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior.

NPS photo by Ed Lasich

Miners Beach

Swimming and Wading
The clean and clear waters of Lake Superior are tempting, though the water is typically cold for even the hardiest swimmers.

Visitors enjoy peaceful strolls along the lakeshore's white sand beaches, including Sand Point, Miners, and Twelvemile.

There are no lifeguarded beaches at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or its surrounding communities.  Rip currents can and do occur, and may change locations from year to year.

Please use extreme caution if you choose to venture into Lake Superior waters.

Beach fires are only permitted in the designated metal fire ring at Sand Point; fires are not allowed on other beaches.  Glass containers are prohibited on all beaches.  Pets are allowed in designated areas; please know the regulations.

Please help keep our beaches clean.
 

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Some of the best scuba diving in the Midwest can be found in and around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Snorkeling and scuba diving are permitted throughout the lakeshore.

Scuba diving is popular in Lake Superior, especially within the Alger Underwater Preserve, a state preserve created to protect the submerged cultural resources. State and federal regulations prohibit the removal or disturbance of relics, artifacts, or historic features.

Always use a dive flag to mark your location. 

For more information ...
Boating
Shipwrecks site bulletin (pdf)

 

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  • Alger Underwater Preserve Alger Underwater Preserve

    was designated to protect shipwrecks. Read More

  • Rip currents Rip currents

    powerful currents of water moving away from shore. Read More

  • NOAA marine weather forecast NOAA marine weather forecast

    for the south shore of Lake Superior. Read More

  • Visit a Lake Superior Visit a Lake Superior

    protected area Read More

Did You Know?

The Schoolcraft Blast Furnace was located at today's Munising Falls site.

The Schoolcraft/Munising Blast Furnace operated from 1869 to 1877. It produced many tons of pig iron for post Civil War continental expansion. Only ruins remain at this National Register of Historic Places site, located at Munising Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. More...