Park Archives: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Sandstone cliffs—ochre, tan, and brown with layers of white and green—tower 50 to 200 feet above the water. Vast, blue Lake Superior glistens against a cloud-streaked sky. Deep forests of emerald, black, and gold open onto small lakes and waterfalls. The images are like a painter's work. A palette of nature's colors, textures, and shapes sets the scene at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

This place of beauty was authorized as the first national lakeshore in 1966 to preserve the shoreline, beaches, cliffs, and dunes and to provide an extraordinary place for recreation and discovery. Just over six miles across at its widest point, the park hugs Lake Superior's shoreline for over 40 miles and consists of the Lakeshore Zone, federal land managed by the National Park Service, and the Inland Buffer Zone, a combination of federal, state, and private ownership. Together these nearly 73,000 acres protect some of Lake Superior's shoreline and watershed.

Icy Architects Massive glaciers, inching back and forth over a million years, scoured and molded this land. Moving ice ground volcanic and sedimentary rock from previous eras into rubble and slowly enlarged river valleys into the wide basins that would become the Great Lakes.

The last glacier began retreating about 10,000 years ago. Over time its meltwater formed powerful rivers and scattered rubble onto outwash plains and into crevasses. Water scooped out the basins and channels that harbor wetlands in the park today. Eventually, as the weight of the glacier lessened, the land rose and exposed bedrock to lake erosion. This onslaught by the lake-centuries of crushing ice and battering waves-carved the bedrock into young cliffs. Water continues to pound and sculpt the cliffs, eroding them inland while enlarging the lake.

The force of water, solid or liquid, profoundly altered this landscape and created the world's largest freshwater lake system. It sculpted arches, cliff profiles, and the inland lakes that formed when glacial outwash buried enormous blocks of ice. Melting ice formed depressions that filled with water and became kettle lakes. The stones along Twelvemile Beach are horn coral from an ancient sea, polished granite and quartz rounded like eggs, and disk-shaped fragments of the Jacobsville sandstone.

Colorful Cliffs The name Pictured Rocks comes from the streaks of mineral stain decorating the face of the cliffs. The streaks occur when groundwater oozes out of cracks. The dripping water contains iron, manganese, limonite, copper, and other minerals that leave behind a colorful stain as the water trickles down a cliff face.

The cliffs' ramparts are composed of 500-million-year-old Cambrian sandstone of the Munising Formation, which makes up much of the angled slopes and features like Miners Castle. Closest to lake level is the Jacobsville Formation, a late-Precambrian mottled red sandstone that is the oldest exposed rock in the park. Covering all is the 400-million-year-old Ordovician Au Train Formation, a harder, limy sandstone that serves as a capstone and protects the underlying sandstone from rapid erosion.

The bounty of the lake and land has attracted people since the glaciers retreated northward. Archaic and Woodland Indians made summer camps along the coast between what is now Munising and Grand Marais. Later, Anishinaabek Indians hunted and fished here, as their descendants still do, while en route to summer fishing areas farther east. Today, little evidence remains within the park of these early people.

European Adventurers
In the 1600s and 1700s European explorers and voyageurs searched here for furs and minerals. These expeditions give us many of the area's earliest written accounts and left place names like Miners Castle and Grand Marais. In the 1800s American and European settlers arrived to make fortunes in mining and logging.

We had been told of the variety in the colour and form of these rocks, but were wholly unprepared to encounter the surprising groups of overhanging precipices, towering walls, caverns, waterfalls ... mingled in the most wonderful disorder.

Booming Commerce
The demand for lumber attracted businessmen who bought vast forests of white pine, beech, and maple. Through the late 1800s boomtowns along Lake Superior's southern shore supported large logging operations and blast furnaces that produced pig iron for the nation's growing railroad industry. By the early 1900s both logging and ironworking had diminished due to loss of natural resources.

The Life-Saving Era
As businesses flourished, Lake Superior's commercial activity also increased. To help ships navigate the treacherous rock reef, the US Life Saving Service and the US Lighthouse Service (later the US Coast Guard) built lifeboat rescue stations and light stations along the shore. Remnants of this era still exist in the park.

A Powerful Lake
Measured by surface area, Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake—350 miles long, 160 miles across, and over 1,300 feet at its deepest point. The lake basin holds so much liquid that, if drained, it could fill a pool the size of the lower 48 states to a depth of nearly five feet.

Lake Superior acts like an inland sea, creating powerful storms and exerting a great influence on the surrounding land. Its cold water moderates the climate, keeping summer cooler and winter somewhat warmer. Mist, fog, wind, and lake effect snow affect the park's soil, vegetation, and wildlife and the people who live nearby.

The lake continually reshapes the park's beaches and shoreline. Wave energy and the forces of ice and thaw work on the porous sandstone cliffs, causing erosion that may result in rockfalls.

With each season Lake Superior shows a different mood: summer's gentle waves, autumn's furious storms, or winter's icy stillness.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore consists of two zones. The Lakeshore Zone is federal land managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The Inland Buffer Zone is a mixture of federal, state, and private ownership. Please respect the rights of private landowners.

Beaver Basin Wilderness Congress has designated nearly 12,000 acres in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for protection under the 1964 Wilderness Act. Included are forests, streams, lakes, wetlands, and 13 miles of Lake Superior shoreline.

Wilderness is meant to protect forever the land's natural conditions, opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation, and scientific, educational, and historical values. In wilderness people can sense being a part of the whole community of life on Earth. Preserving wilderness shows restraint and humility and benefits generations that follow us. Learn more at www.wilderness.net.

Munising Falls Visitor Center is located on the park's western end. Stop here for information, brochures, backcountry permit information, a bookstore, and activity and program schedules. Exhibits explain blast furnace and logging history and the geology of Pictured Rocks cliffs. Enjoy a short walk to Munising Falls. Open daily mid-May to mid-October. Open Thursdays through Saturdays in winter except federal holidays.

Grand Sable Visitor Center, at the foot of Grand Sable Dunes on the park's eastern end, offers information, backcountry permit information, exhibits, and a bookstore. Open daily in summer.

Boat Tours/Trips Concession cruise boats travel from Munising along the Pictured Rocks cliffs daily mid-May to mid-October. For tickets and more information visit www.picturedrocks.com. Various commercial businesses offer kayak trips and other guided recreational opportunities: www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/commercial-services.htm.

Hiking and Walking Pictured Rocks offers 100 miles of trails; choose from short or long, easy or strenuous. Get maps and information at the visitor centers. Portions of the North Country Trail and other trails give you spectacular vistas of the lake, cliffs, dunes, and waterfalls. Plan ahead. Tell someone where you are going. Carry plenty of water and food. Be prepared for rain or rapid weather changes. Wear sturdy footgear and layered clothing.

Beaches Sand beaches on Lake Superior that are suitable for sunbathing and swimming are located at Sand Point, Miners Beach, Twelvemile Beach, Hurricane River, and Lake Superior Overlook. Use caution. Cold water and rough conditions can make swimming hazardous. Observe surf and rip current warnings. Lifeguards are not present.

Drive-In Camping is available at Twelvemile Beach, Hurricane River, and Little Beaver Lake campgrounds. All have water, tables, fire rings with grill grates, and toilets but NO showers. Campsites (fee) are first-come, first-served. Register and pay at the campground. Stays are limited. Some size restrictions apply. In peak season, campgrounds often fill by 10 am. Camping is also available in state forests and parks, private campgrounds, and Hiawatha National Forest.

Backcountry Camping In the park are 14 backcountry campgrounds, including one boat-in site and seven group sites. Most are located every 2 to 5 miles along the North Country Trail. Overnight backcountry sites (fee) require a permit, obtained at www.recreation.gov. Camp only in designated sites. Use stoves at Chapel Beach and Mosquito Beach campgrounds; fires prohibited. At other sites fires are allowed only in metal fire rings. Ground and beach fires are prohibited. There is no potable water; use a water filter.

Boating, Canoeing, and Sea Kayaking Beaver Lake, Little Beaver Lake, and Grand Sable Lake are favorites for small boats, kayaks, and canoes. Boats must be clean and dry before launching to prevent introduction of invasive species. Only electric motors are allowed on Beaver and Little Beaver lakes. Most rivers are too shallow for canoeing. Lake Superior is often too rough for small craft. Kayakers on Lake Superior should use sea kayaks only and make sure they have all necessary safety gear. See the Kayaking Safety brochure for details. Munising and Grand Marais have launch ramps for motor boats. Backcountry permits (fee) are required for overnight boaters and sea kayakers.

Hunting/Fishing are allowed in season under federal and state regulations. Michigan hunting or fishing licenses are required. Trapping and target practice are prohibited. Some park areas are closed to hunting for safety reasons. For firearms regulations see the park website. Check at visitor centers for more information.

Winter Activities Crosscountry ski on miles of groomed trails. Snowmobile on one of the designated park roads. Also popular are ice fishing on inland lakes and South Bay (Munising Bay), snowshoeing, ice climbing, and winter camping. For details see the park website.

Weather, Bugs Your visit will be more enjoyable if you come prepared for changing conditions. The proximity of Lake Superior moderates the climate, but sudden storms can develop year-round and hypothermia is always a threat. Bring rain gear and layers of warm clothing. Black flies and mosquitoes can be aggravating mid-May to mid-July. Stable flies are common along the shore in warm, humid weather. Wear long light-colored pants and long-sleeved shirts. Use insect repellent. Wear a hat.

Pets are allowed only in limited areas of the park. They are prohibited on most trails. Check at visitor centers or see website for details. Where they are allowed, pets must be leashed and attended. Pets and domestic pack animals are prohibited in the backcountry.

Safety First Be alert. Your safety is your responsibility. • Do not climb or slide on cliffs. Stay back from their edges; they can suddenly give way. • Stay on trails and boardwalks. Use the overlooks. • Do not climb on rocks near waterfalls. • Sudden storms and Lake Superior's cold water make watersports treacherous. Use caution when wading, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and boating. • Use caution while bicycling on park roads and H58.

Observe These Regulations Bicycles are prohibited on all trails. • Motorized or wheeled vehicles are prohibited in the backcountry. • ORVs are prohibited in the lakeshore except for limited access on certain park roads. • Federal and state laws protect natural and historic features. Do not disturb shipwreck remains on the shore or in the water. • Drones are prohibited in all areas of the park.

Accessibility We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For more information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check our website.

The contents of brochures, site bulletins and trading cards (denoted with a colored caption) can be viewed by clicking on the cover. Most modern-day brochures, however, are cover only (denoted by a white caption) due to photograph copyrights. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. The dates under each brochure do not reflect the complete range of years that a particular brochure was issued.

1976
1981	1983		1985
cover only 1988-1991	cover only 1993-1995		cover only 1997-2004
cover only 2005-2007	2010-2017		2018-2023

Lakeshore Accessibility 08/2015	Au Sable Light Station 09/2009		Au Sable Lighthose via ALTRAN 2009
Au Sable Light Station Date Unknown	Au Sable Lighthouse Guided Tours 2009		Au Sable Lighthouse Guided Tours 2012
Destructive Aquatic Species 2014	Destructive Aquatic Species 2017		Vegetation of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore June 2010
Amphibians 2013	Fish 2013		Mammals 2013
Raptors 2013	Reptiles 2013		Bees on the Brink Date Unknown
Beware of Wild Parsnip! Date Unknown	Keep A Lookout for New Invasive Plants in the Midwest! December 2006		Invasive Plants at Pictured Rocks 2017
Beware of Leafy Strangers! Invasive Plants at Pictured Rocks 2014	Pest Alert: Emerald Ash Borer Date Unknown	Common Wildflowers For Each Season In Michigan's Upper Peninsula 05/2004	Checklist of Birds of Michigan's Upper Peninsula February 8, 2005	Field Checklist of Birds of Michigan's Upper Peninsula Date Unknown
Beech Bark Disease A Species in Trouble 2014	Beech Bark Disease 2019		Effect of Beech Bark Disease on Black Bears September 2013
Be Bear Aware 2013	Be Bear Aware 2017		Help! We need your help to save park bears from possible destruction Date Unknown
Using Larval Dragonflies to Monitor Mercury March 2013	Monitoring Forest Vegetation at Pictured Rocks March 2010		Monitoring Landbirds in the Great Lakes Network Parks March 2011
Monitoring Diatoms in Lake Bottom Sediments February 2011	Bats of Pictured Rocks Small and Secretive 2014
Bats and White-Nose Syndrome A Devastating Disease 2014	Bats and White-Nose Syndrome A Devastating Disease 2017		Bats and White-Nose Syndrome 2019
Backcountry Camping Date Unknown	Backcountry Camping April 2007		Backcountry Camping November 2007
Backcountry Camping January 2013	Backcountry Camping 2015		Backcountry Mileage Chart July 2012
Backcountry Map Date Unknown	Backcountry Map Date Unknown
Backcountry Trip Planner 2013	Backcountry Trip Planner 2016		Backcountry Trip Planner 2021
Campground Rules and Regulations May 2011	Drive In Campgrounds June 2006		Drive In Campgrounds November 2007
Drive In Campgrounds February 2010	Drive In Campgrounds June 2012		Drive In Campgrounds January 2013
Cold Related Emergencies March 2009	Heat Emergencies March 2009		General Park Regulations Date Unknown
Family Activities 2013	Family Activities 2017		A Brief Lakeshore History Date Unknown
Fishing February 2005	Lakeshore Fish Advisory 2005		Fishing April 2008
Fishing 2011	What Does The Future Hold Fro Great Lakes National Parks? February 2005		Lakeshore Geology 10/2004
Grand Marais Ski Trail Date Unknown	Grand Marais Ski Trails Date Unknown		Grand Marais U.S. Coast Guard Date Unknown
Grand Sable Dunes Research Natural Area Date Unknown	Hunting January 2006		Hunting Date Unknown
Ice Climbing & Winter Camping October 2009	Sand Point Ice Climbing and Viewing Date Unknown
Just the Facts 2007	Just the Facts 2009		Just the Facts 2011
Just the Facts 2012	Just the Facts 2014		Leave No Trace January 2006
Park Ranger Program Schedule 2012	Park Ranger Program Schedule 2014		Pets at the Lakeshore November 2010
Kayak Safety 2012	Paddling/Kayaking at Pictured Rocks Date Unknown		Sea Kayaking September 2013
Rip Currents Date Unknown	Shipwreck! Date Unknown		Logging History 2010
Schoolcraft Blast Furnace Date Unknown	A History of Service: The Origins of the U.S. Coast Guard Date Unknown		Artist in Residence 2005
Miners Castle Date Unknown	Miners Castle 2004		Miners Castle 2009
Miners Castle 2011	Miners Castle 2013
Miners Falls Trail January 2005	Miners Falls Trail September 2009		Miners Falls Trail August 2012
Munising Michigan: A Brief History Date Unknown	Munising Falls Date Unknown		Munising Falls Area Day Hikes 2009
Munising Ski Trail 2012	Ski and Snowshoe Trails Date Unknown		Snowmobiling January 2007
Snowshoeing 2010	Research Projects 2004-05		Research Projects 2005-06
Munising Range Lights 2012	Munising U.S.C.G. Station 2004		Munising U.S.C.G. Station 2009
Waterfalls Date Unknown	Waterfalls Date Unknown		Waterfalls Date Unknown
Waterfalls Date Unknown	Waterfalls September 2013
Winter Road Closure Map 2005	Winter Road Closure Map Date Unknown
Beaver Basin Wilderness Date Unknown	Beaver Basin Day Hikes Date Unknown		Beaver Basin Hiking Trails Date Unknown
Day Hikes Date Unknown	Day Hikes March 2010		Walks & Hikes 2017
Chapel/Mosquito Day Hikes Date Unknown	White Birch Trail 2008		White Pine Trail Date Unknown
Sand Point Marsh Trail Date Unknown	Woodland Park Campground Date Unknown	Pictured Rocks Cruises Date Unknown