Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Whether you have only a few minutes, hours, or days to see a portion of the lakeshore, one of these hikes may be for you. Check at a visitor center for current trail conditions. Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bicycles are prohibited on all park trails. Walks Of One Mile Or LessSand Point Marsh Trail - Length: 0.5 mile loop. Located across from Sand Point Beach, this boardwalk trail takes you through one of the park's most beautiful wetlands. Old beach ridges, a cattail marsh, small ponds, and white cedar and black spruce swamp communities dominate the scene. The best times for wildlife activity are early or late in the day. This trail is wheelchair-accessible. Pets not allowed.Munising Falls - Length: 800 feet one way. Walk this paved trail up the cool, shaded sandstone canyon along Munising Creek to the main viewing platform to see the 50-foot waterfall. (This is also a lovely trail in winter.) Two sets of stairs lead to elevated platforms that offer different views of the water as it drops over a sandstone cliff. Please stay on the paved trail. Going into or behind the falls is dangerous and is prohibited. Wheelchairs may be able to go on the slightly sloping trail to the main viewing platform, depending on ability. Leashed pets allowed on trail and platforms. Miners Castle Overlook - Length varies: 200 to 1300 feet one way. This is the most popular spot in the park. Miners Castle can be viewed from 3 different viewing platforms. The two upper viewing areas are wheelchair-accessible and are a short distance from the parking lot. The walk to the lower platform includes stairs and steep inclines. Leashed pets are allowed on paved (not dirt) trails, at viewing platforms, and in the picnic area. Superior Overlook Beach - Length: Varies depending on how far you walk the beach. A short walk leads to Sullivan's Creek flowing into Lake Superior. There is a stairway leading down to the sand. The overlook platform just off the parking lot is wheelchair-accessible. Leashed pets allowed. Log Slide Overlook Trail - Length: 0.25 miles roundtrip. This short trail leads through mature hardwoods to the western edge of the Grand Sable Dunes where logs once slid down to the lake in a wooden chute. The popular overlook platform was destroyed in a winter storm several years ago but the path to the platform location is still there. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the Grand Sable Dunes, and Au Sable Lighthouse in the distance. Pets not allowed. Grand Sable Dunes Trail - Length: 0.6 miles roundtrip. This is the main access point into the Grand Sable Dunes. The trail starts at the Sable Falls parking area near the top of the falls, continues past an old field, and crosses a bridge over Sable Creek. It then winds through a jack pine forest gradually uphill into an open dune environment. Requires some uphill climbing in sand. Pets not allowed. Sable Falls Trail - Length: 0.4 miles roundtrip. Part of the North Country Scenic Trail. From the Sable Falls parking lot, this trail starts with 168 steps down to the base of the falls and and continues past the falls along Sable Creek to a rock/sand beach on Lake Superior. The first landing on the stairs provides a view of Sable Falls, although the best view is from the bottom. Leashed pets are allowed on stairs and trail out to the beach. Little Beaver Nature Trail - Length 1.0 mile loop. Trail access for those camping at the Little Beaver Lake Campground is at the campground. Other visitors need to park at the day-use lot just uphill from the campground and start on the trail from there. The trail includes a stand of 250-300 year old white pines and mature hemlocks. On a warm summer day, enjoy the cool moist microclimate of this area. Pets not allowed. Longer HikesMiners Falls Trail - Length: 1.2 miles roundtrip. This easy, fairly level trail takes you through the forest to Miners River, where the park's most powerful waterfall cascades 50 feet over a sandstone cliff. Take another 64 steps down to a lower platform. Leashed pets allowed.
BEAVER BASIN WILDERNESS - Several hikes can be made in the Beaver Lake area leaving from the day-use trailhead parking lot near the end of Little Beaver Lake Road. Pets not allowed.
NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL (formerly called the Lakeshore Trail) - Length: Up to 42 miles (through the park). In addition to some of the trails listed above, there are many other North Country Scenic Trail segments in the park, like Miners Castle to Sand Point, or Log Slide to Au Sable Light Station. No pets allowed on this trail except in some limited areas. Check at a visitor center for more information. Transcript
Excuse me sir, can I ask you a question? What are those!? Have you ever seen one of these things at the beginning of a trail when you go for a hike? Do you walk right past it? Or do you use it? Do you see it but not use it because you don't know how or why it's even there? It's called a boot brush, but i like to call it "The Invasion Annihilation Station". Invasion Annihilation Station!? Yes! The seeds and eggs from invasive species can hide in the dirt on your shoes, and this brush helps stop them from getting into the park. These invasive species are plants or animals from other places that do not belong in the area that you're visiting and cause harm to the environment. Like garlic mustard, forget-me-nots, or spotted knapweed. Here, in the Great Lakes region invasive species like the gypsy moth and emerald ash borer wreak havoc on our forests. Together, they've killed millions of trees across the U.S. and caused billions of dollars in damage. Think about what trees provide for humans. Is that worth losing? Invasive species take over and hurt not only the forests but the lakes, rivers, animals, and humans too! Imagine there's someone who eats all your food, messes up your house, and takes away your heat or air conditioning all the time. That's what these invasive species are doing to the native plants and animals in nature. To help stop the spread of invasive species use a boot brush like this, whenever they're available or bring your own. But what if there isn't a boot brush at the beginning or end of a trail? Consider using these techniques, stomp your feet in the parking lot, clap your shoes together, and brush yourself off after a hike.
Use the boot brush before and after hiking to be sure you aren't bringing unwanted hitchhikers with you. If you use a walking stick clean that too. If you're camping, shake out your tent and clean the dirt off the stakes. If you have a pet with you, comb their fur free of seeds before leaving an area. By using these methods, you can help stop the spread of invasive species and give the native plants and animals a better chance at survival. Otherwise these beautiful places won't stay as pretty and instead of saying "look what the cat dragged in" the plants and animals will say "Ugh, look what the humans dragged in!"
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What are invasive species and why are they harmful? What’s a boot brush and why should you use it? Find out in this funny video with Ranger Kristina. Great for all ages and anyone who wants to learn more about the importance of leaving no trace. Things To KnowBE SAFE! BE PREPARED! No matter what length, any hike is more fun if you are properly prepared.
More Information: Find trails on the Park Map (web page) Waterfalls (web page) Information on Backcountry Camping (web page) Leave No Trace (web page) Invasive Species (web page) |
Last updated: December 15, 2022