Non-Kayak Boating at Pictured Rocks

Canoeing on Little Beaver Lake

NPS photo

Bring your boat to the park!

While kayaking has become incredibly popular here, the park also offers other wonderful boating experiences. Peaceful inland lakes invite canoers to linger in the northwoods and listen for loons. Pontoon and other motorized boat owners will enjoy exploring miles of sandstone cliffs and remote sandy beaches along the Lake Superior shoreline. New paddleboarders can practice in the sheltered waters of Munising Bay.

Generally, there are three boating areas easy to access within the park: Lake Superior (and Munising Bay); Little Beaver Lake (which connects to Beaver Lake), and Grand Sable Lake. Pets are not allowed in boats on Little Beaver or Beaver Lakes, since they are within the Beaver Basin Wilderness.  Pets are also not allowed on Lake Superior beaches within the wilderness zone.

IF BOATING ON LAKE SUPERIOR...

Safety First! Check the marine weather forecast before venturing out. Watch the weather carefully while on the lake. The weather can change suddenly and unexpectedly. The Pictured Rocks cliffs rise 50 to 200 feet directly from the lake, offering precious few protected places if the wind and waves increase. Also check local weather buoys for real-time data and video from the buoy cams at www.greatlakesbuoys.org

Motorized boats (such as pontoons) and sea kayaks are the only kind of boats that should be taken on Lake Superior.

MOTORIZED BOATS

Boats and motors of any size are permitted on Lake Superior. Horsepower is limited to 50 on Grand Sable Lake. Only electric motors may be used on Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake in the Beaver Basin Wilderness.

Slow / no wake speed must be maintained within 100 feet of the shoreline, any watercraft, pier, person, raft, swimming area, and swimmers.

Boats may be launched into Lake Superior at the City of Munising's boat ramp a mile west of the town harbor on M-28. Burt Township maintains a boat ramp in Grand Marais harbor. There are shallow boat ramps on Grand Sable Lake and Little Beaver Lake.

An appropriate type and size personal flotation device (PFD) (life jacket) is required by law for each person on board any boat. In Michigan, all children under the age of 6 years old must wear a PFD while riding on the open deck of a vessel when it is underway. For more information on boating regulations, visit www.uscgboating.org. 

CANOES

Canoes should NOT be taken out on Lake Superior. Their height makes them hard to control in windy conditions on open water, and they can be easily swamped by waves. Instead take your canoe to one of the park's beautiful inland lakes:  Little Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake, and Grand Sable Lake. 

SAILBOATS AND PADDLEBOARDS

Lake Superior - Small sailboats can be carried from the parking lot to Munising Bay at Sand Point Beach. Munising Bay is a good place for sailing and paddleboarding since it is generally a more sheltered area. Larger boats should use the municipal boat ramps listed above to enter Lake Superior. 

Inland Lakes - Little Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake, and Grand Sable Lake are also suitable for small sailboats and paddleboards.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

Personal watercraft (PWC) such as jet skis may travel within the lakeshore from the western boundary near Sand Point to the eastern end of Miners Beach. PWC are not permitted elsewhere within the lakeshore's one-quarter mile offshore jurisdiction along the Lake Superior shoreline.

Due to horsepower restrictions, PWC are not allowed on inland lakes within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

According to State of Michigan law, PWC must not operate from one hour before sunset to 8 am. When traveling within 200 feet of the shoreline, PWC must travel at a slow/no-wake speed perpendicular to the shoreline. 

WATER SKIING

Water skiing is authorized on Lake Superior and Grand Sable Lake in accordance with state and federal laws. On Grand Sable Lake, horsepower is limited to 50.

Details

Activity

Boating

Non-kayak boating options at the park, such as canoeing, sailing, motor boats, etc.

Pets Allowed

Yes with Restrictions

Pets are allowed on boats on Lake Superior and Grand Sable Lake. They are not allowed on Little Beaver or Big Beaver Lakes as those lakes are within the Beaver Basin Wilderness zone. Pets are also not allowed on Chapel or Mosquito beaches, or any Lake Superior beaches within the Beaver Basin Wilderness.  

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Boat ramp at Little Beaver Lake

Boat ramp at Little Beaver Lake. Boats that launch here can travel to larger Beaver Lake through a shallow channel.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Accessibility Information

There are no particular accessibility limitations or restrictions for boating activities. These activities depend on the abilities of the individual.