Ice Climbing at Pictured Rocks

Quick Facts

Location:

Most ice climbing is done on the cliffs along Sand Point Road in Munising, closest to Sand Point Beach.

Significance:

Ice climbing is the only kind of cliff climbing allowed at Pictured Rocks.

Amenities

5 listed

Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Recycling, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trash/Litter Receptacles

Ice climbing is an exciting winter sport at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that becomes more popular each year. The combination of cold temperatures, plentiful lake-effect snow, numerous waterfalls, porous sandstone cliffs, and water seeping out of the rock layers creates spectacular ice curtains and tall ice columns. 

Snow and ice are generally present by the second or third week in December and remain until early April. While ice frequently forms along the Pictured Rocks cliffs above Lake Superior, these areas are not recommended for climbing due to hazardous exposure to the lake.

The most easily-accessed ice formations are found along the inland cliff escarpment between Munising Falls and Sand Point Beach, most of which parallels Sand Point Road.

Sand Point columns and blue ice curtains are 20-50 feet high. Shortest access is from the Sand Point Beach parking lot. Park at the lot and walk the road 1/4 to 1/2 mile back to access the nearest climbing areas. Sand Point Road is plowed all winter; however it is narrow with no shoulder. Therefore, parking is prohibited along the road itself. 

Walkers should watch for traffic and slippery conditions on the road. Drivers need to watch for ice climbers walking to and from the parking lot. The vault toilet at Sand Point Beach is open year-round.

Miners Falls is another popular climbing area. The falls produce a 40-foot ice column during the coldest weather. Access requires a 3 mile ski or snowshoe trek in from the end of the plowed road at the junction of Carmody and Miners Castle Roads.

Other popular areas for climbing are within Grand Island National Recreation Area, which is administered by the Hiawatha National Forest. Grand Island ice curtains are accessed from the Grand Island Ferry Landing off M-28 just west of Munising. 

NOTE: Travel between Sand Point and the thumb portion of Grand Island is not recommended due to frequent hazardous ice conditions caused by lake currents.

Ice Climbing Regulations

• Munising Falls is closed to ice climbing.

• Camping is not allowed at climbing sites. 

• Pets are not allowed on or off trails to Sand Point ice climbing locations.