• Lake Superior in a stormy mood. Photo copyright Craig Blacklock

    Pictured Rocks

    National Lakeshore Michigan

Touring by Motorcoach

A motor coach and passengers at the Miners Castle parking area.

Motor coach and riders

NPS photo

We appreciate the opportunity to work with tour bus operators as their clients enjoy the many facets of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Guidelines for your visit:

Permits
No permits are required at this time for operating within the Lakeshore. For further information, contact the Chief Ranger at 906-387-2607, ext. 203.

Pre-Trip Information
The Lakeshore can provide your group with a park map and guide, interagency newspaper, and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore / Hiawatha National Forest orientation DVD.

 

Where To Visit?
Areas within the Lakeshore that accommodate tour coaches are limited. The best areas for viewing portions of the park by motor coach are:

Sable Falls
Paved parking
Flush restroom
Trail to waterfall 75 yards 100+ steps to lower waterfall platform

Log Slide
Paved parking (coach parking on backside of loop)
Pit toilet
Trail to overlook 150 yards
Interpretive signs on forests and logging

Lake Superior Overlook
Paved parking
Pit toilet
Viewing platform
Beach access

Miners Castle
Paved parking (use back loop beyond automobile parking)
Flush restroom
Trail to three overlooks, 75 yards, 150 yards, 250 yards lower overlook
Information center and bookstore
Interpretive signs on geology, human history, Grand Island

Munising Falls
Paved parking (use farthest RV parking)
Flush restroom
Trail to waterfall viewing platform - 250 yards

 

Lakeshore facilities not well suited for motor coaches due to limited parking and facilities.
Interagency Visitor Center (Munising) - limited parking
Miners Beach
Miners Falls
Chapel-Mosquito area
Little Beaver Lake - size restrictions in effect
Beaver Basin overlook
Twelvemile Beach Campground
Hurricane River Campground
Grand Sable Visitor Center (Grand Marais) - limited parking

 

Sustainability
The Lakeshore recognizes that tour operations are an efficient means for visitors to enjoy the Lakeshore. To further the park's "Do Your Part" sustainability program, we encourage:

- No bus idling while parked.
- Burn bio-diesel fuel when available.
- Encourage visitors to stay on trails and overlook structures.
- Discourage use of disposable water bottles and other supplies.
- Encourage use of personal drink containers (coffee go-mugs).
- Encourage your clients to learn about being a green traveler.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/
http://www.sustainabletourism.net/
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism.cfm?id=main

 

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Did You Know?

Spray Falls drops 70 feet over the Pictured Rocks cliffs into Lake Superior.

There are seven named waterfalls within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, plus several unnamed falls. From west to east, they are Munising, Bridalveil, Miners, Mosquito, Chapel, Spray, and Sable Falls. The sandstone outcrops of the Pictured Rocks escarpment create the many waterfalls in the area. More...