Day Hikes in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

If you enjoy hiking but only have a day or two to spend in the Grand Marais area, consider one or more of these hikes on a developed trail or a backcountry day hike.

Developed Sites

Munising Falls: Nestled in a cool, shady valley, the 50 foot falls are at the end of a short 800 foot walk on an improved trail. The trail is a good place to look for wildflowers in spring and early summer. Water from the creek was once used in the production of iron at the Schoolcraft blast furnace, a story told on wayside exhibits and in the Munising Falls Interpretive Center.

Sand Point: The Sand Point beach is a popular spot for walking in the evening to watch the sun go down over Munising Bay. The Sand Point Marsh Trail, a half-mile disabled accessible interpretive trail features a large print brochure for visually impaired visitors. Sand Point is a good place to look for warblers in spring and fall. Park Headquarters is also located on Sand Point in a former U.S. Coast Guard building.

Miners Castle: Beginning at the picnic area, a paved foot trail leads you past interpretive exhibits to breathtaking overlooks of Lake Superior and Grand Island. Erosion over long periods of time has created the interesting rock formations which give this place its name.

Miners Beach: A picknicker and beachwalkers delight, Miners Beach extends for one mile on Lake Superior where waves roll in to polish beach cobbles. Miners River is popular for steelhead fishing in spring and fall. A 1.0 mile trail connects Miners Castle developed area and the picnic area at Miners Beach.

Miners Falls: A 1.2 mile round trip gravel path through a deep woods environment leads to the falls overlook. Miners River plunging some 60 feet over a cliff is home to brook and steelhead trout. A free, self-guiding interpretive trail guide is available at the trailhead.

White Pine Trail: Located at the Little Beaver Campground, this 1.0 mile self-guiding interpretive trail explores the plant and animal communities of a cool, shady valley. Free trail guides are located at the trailhead.

White Birch Trail: Located at the Twelvemile Beach Campground, this two mile self-guiding interpretive trail explores a variety of ancient Lake Nipissing beach and upland plant communities. Free trail guides are located at the trailhead.

Au Sable Light Station: This picturesque station is being renovated by the National Park Service. Strolling about the grounds on a stormy day, one can feel the sense of duty and history for which this complex is preserved. Access to the station is by a 1.5 mile trail beginning at the east end of the lower Hurricane River Campground. Check at visitor centers and park bulletin boards for interpretive programs scheduled at the light station.

Log Slide: The 1000 foot trail to the viewing platform from the picnic area is worth the walk. Newspaper accounts tell of logs sent down the dry log chute generated enough friction to cause the chute to catch fire. Today the chute is gone, but the lumberjack stories still linger as you gaze out over the spectacular Grand Sable Banks and dunes from the top, 300 feet above the big lake. This is a good place to glimpse the Au Sable Light Station to the west and the Grand Sable Banks and Grand Marais to the east. The trail has been paved and a new exhibit showcases a huge "Big Wheel" and a winter dray from the logging era.

Sable Falls: A picnic lunch at Sable Falls can begin a great afternoon of exploring. A 0.5 mile hike from the parking lot leads you to the falls and Sable Creek and on to Lake Superior.

Back Country Day Hikes

Chapel Beach: This 5.4 mile round trip walk begins at the Chapel parking lot. Take the trail to Mosquito Beach then turn right at the first junction to Chapel Beach. A day picnicking while watching the waves roll in is always a pleasure. You can return via Chapel Falls if you wish a different route back to the parking lot. Pets and bicycles are not permitted on these trails.

Chapel Falls: This 3.0 mile round trip walk begins at the Chapel parking lot. Take the trail next to the restroom to the falls. Pets are permitted only to the falls on a 6 foot lead. Bicycles are not permitted.

Chapel Loop: This 9.0 mile loop takes in some of the most spectacular portions of the Pictured Rocks cliffs. Using the Mosquito Beach trail, walk to Mosquito Beach, east on the North Country Trail, and begin your return to the parking area via Chapel Beach. Watch your footing and stay back from the edge in cliff areas.

Beaver Basin Loop: This 5.0 mile loop begins at the Little Beaver Lake Campground. The first section traverses a portion of the White Pine self-guiding trail, then heads past several old sea caves cut in ancient sandstone rock on the way to Lake Superior. The trail offers the choice of walking along the shoreline of Little and Big Beaver Lakes.

Grand Sable Dunes: A 1.0 mile round trip walk to the dunes begins at the west end of the Sable Falls parking area. As you pass an old orchard and cross the Sable Creek bridge, the trail winds through jack pine to the windswept dunes. Enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Superior and the distant dunes. Your return walk is on the same trail. Pets are permitted on a 6 foot leash.

Beech Forest: This 2.0 mile walk begins at either the Grand Sable Visitor Center or the west end of the Sable Falls parking area. The trail provides a cool stroll through a beech-maple forest and along the edge of old farm fields. Remnants of an old cedar shake logging camp lie near the trail. Pets are permitted on a 6 foot leash.

Sevenmile Creek: This 5.0 mile round trip hike begins at the west end of Twelvemile Beach Campground at the North Country Trailhead. The trail traverses ancient sandy beach ridges above the lake. In early spring, Sevenmile Creek is a favorite fishing spot for steelhead and brook trout.