Swimming at Pictured Rocks

Summer day at Sand Point Beach

NPS photo

Swimming and Wading
The clean, clear waters of Lake Superior are beautiful and inviting, though the water is typically cold even for the hardiest swimmers. Shoreline water temperatures in summer usually range from the upper 50s to the upper 60s. Some years it can reach 70 degrees by mid-August in Munising Bay. Sand Point Beach generally has the warmest summer water temperatures.

There are no lifeguarded beaches at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or its surrounding communities. Rip currents can and do occur. Rip currents do not always appear in the same spot every time; they can change position. Other hazards include large waves and hidden underwater logs and boulders. Sand bars can drop off quickly into deep water. Please use extreme caution if you choose to venture into Lake Superior. 

Caution: Do not jump off rocks or cliffs into the water! It is illegal within the national lakeshore to jump off any part of cliffs or rocks higher than 15 feet above the lake level. Climbing to the top of Miners Castle from the water or on any part of Chapel Rock is prohibited. Areas for cliff jumping exist in Marquette.

Jumping into the water from any height is generally not safe here. The water depth can be difficult to predict and there's a good chance of rocks or logs in the water. Impact with the water can cause injury, and injury can lead to drowning. Hitting a solid surface under water is often deadly. If you want to go in the water, walk in from the beaches. 

Certain beaches allow leashed pets - check the pets page for information..

Inland lakes with sandy bottom areas suitable for swimming include Beaver Lake and Grand Sable Lake. Ask at a visitor center for information on how to access these lakes.

Details

Activity

Swimming

There are several Lake Superior beaches easily acessible by vehicle. These are Sand Point Beach, Miners Beach, Lake Superior Overlook, and Hurricane River. There are no lifeguarded beaches at Pictured Rocks or in nearby communities.

Pets Allowed

Yes

Leashed pets are allowed on Sand Point Beach, Miners Beach, Lake Superior Overlook, and Hurricane River Beach. They are not allowed at any beaches in the backcountry or the Beaver Basin Wilderness.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Sand Point Beach

Sand Point Beach is a family-friendly beach offering shallow, sheltered swimming in Munising Bay. The water here is generally a bit warmer than other Lake Superior beaches in the park.

Reservations

No

Season

Summer

Lake Superior is generally quite cold throughout the summer. The warmest water is in Munising Bay, at Sand Point Beach.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

During the summer, a wheelchair-accessible mat extends from the parking lot at Sand Point Beach to the water's edge.