News Release

Pictured Rocks is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance

Date: April 9, 2020

Munising, Mich —  Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in response to guidance from the State of Michigan and Luce, Alger, Mackinac, Schoolcraft District Health Department, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

As of April 9, 2020, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will offer limited services outside emergency response. At Pictured Rocks, the following services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with the latest federal, state and local health guidance: 

• Visitor facilities, including visitor centers, drive-in and backcountry campgrounds, and most restrooms, will be closed to visitors until at least June 25, 2020.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/piro and social media channels.   
Outdoor spaces at Pictured Rocks remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance.   

• The park is open, including trails and beaches, to day-use only.
• Limited number of vault toilets will remain open as staffing and supplies allow, while adhering to public health guidance.
• The park is still experiencing winter conditions including snow covered roads and trails and fallen trees blocking access to some areas. 

 

If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.