• 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!

Touring by Motorcoach

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

NPS photo

Motor coach and riders

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.

The Lakeshore is considering offering on-site and/or step-on interpretive services for tour operators. For more information, please contact the Chief of Heritage Education, 906-387-2607, ext. 208, email. 

 

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
Interpretive center and bookstore with exhibits on blast furnace history, logging, geology
Interpretive signs on blast furnace history, cliff fall

 

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?

Bear claw scars on the smooth bark of an American beech tree.

Bear claw marks can be seen on the trunks of American beech trees because the bark is so smooth. Bears climb trees for safety and to eat beech nuts. The non-native beech bark disease is sweeping through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, killing many beech trees. Trees scarred with bear claw marks will be harder to find. More...