Last updated: August 26, 2024
Thing to Do
Walks and Hikes of One Mile or Less
NPS photo
Sand Point Marsh Trail - Length: 0.5 mile loop. Located across from Sand Point Beach, this boardwalk trail takes you through one of the park's most beautiful wetlands. Old beach ridges, a cattail marsh, small ponds, and white cedar and black spruce swamp communities dominate the scene.
The best times for wildlife activity are early or late in the day. The entire trail loop is wheelchair-accessible when ice and snow are absent. This trail is easy to access year-round since Sand Point Road and the beach/trail parking area is plowed all winter. Pets not allowed on the marsh trail.
Munising Falls - Length: 800 feet one way. Walk this paved trail up the cool, shaded sandstone canyon along Munising Creek to the main viewing platform to see the 50-foot drop waterfall. Two sets of stairs lead to elevated platforms that offer different views of the water as it drops over a sandstone cliff. Please stay on the paved trail. Going into or behind the falls is dangerous and is prohibited.
The central viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible. Waterfalls are beautiful in winter, and Munising Falls is easy to access as the road and parking lot is plowed all winter. Leashed pets allowed on trail and at platforms.
Miners Castle Overlook - Length varies: 200 to 1300 feet one way. This is the most popular spot in the park. Miners Castle can be viewed from three different viewing platforms. The two upper viewing areas are wheelchair-accessible and are a short distance from the parking lot. The walk to the lower platform includes stairs and steep inclines. Leashed pets are allowed on paved (not dirt) trails, at viewing platforms, and in picnic area.
Superior Overlook Beach - Offers a beautiful view of Lake Superior and short stairway access to a beach. A brief walk on the beach leads to Sullivan's Creek emptying into Lake Superior. The overlook platform is wheelchair-accessible from the parking lot. Leashed pets allowed.
Twelvemile Beach - Access via stairs from the tall bluff at the day-use picnic and parking area near the campground down to a sandy beach that has great sunset views. Leashed pets allowed on beach in front of and to the east of the campground. Pets not allowed on beach west of the campground.
Log Slide Overlook Trail - Length: 0.3 mile roundtrip. This short trail leads through mature hardwoods to the western edge of the Grand Sable Dunes where logs once slid down to the lake in a wooden chute.
The overlook platform was destroyed in a winter storm but the path to the platform location is still there. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the Grand Sable Dunes, and Au Sable Lighthouse in the distance. Pets not allowed.
Grand Sable Dunes Trail - Length: 0.6 mile roundtrip. This is the main access point into the Grand Sable Dunes. The trail starts at the Sable Falls parking area near the top of the falls, continues past an old orchard and field, and crosses a bridge over Sable Creek. It then winds through a jack pine forest gradually uphill into an open dune environment. Requires some uphill climbing in sand. Pets not allowed.
Sable Falls Trail – Length: 0.4 mile roundtrip. Part of the North Country Scenic Trail. From the Sable Falls parking lot, this trail starts with 168 steps down to the base of the falls and and continues past the falls along Sable Creek to a rock and sand beach on Lake Superior. The first landing on the stairs provides a view of Sable Falls, although the best view is from the bottom. Leashed pets allowed on trail and stairs.
Visit the park's Day Hikes webpage for more "Things to Know" about hiking at Pictured Rocks.
The best times for wildlife activity are early or late in the day. The entire trail loop is wheelchair-accessible when ice and snow are absent. This trail is easy to access year-round since Sand Point Road and the beach/trail parking area is plowed all winter. Pets not allowed on the marsh trail.
Munising Falls - Length: 800 feet one way. Walk this paved trail up the cool, shaded sandstone canyon along Munising Creek to the main viewing platform to see the 50-foot drop waterfall. Two sets of stairs lead to elevated platforms that offer different views of the water as it drops over a sandstone cliff. Please stay on the paved trail. Going into or behind the falls is dangerous and is prohibited.
The central viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible. Waterfalls are beautiful in winter, and Munising Falls is easy to access as the road and parking lot is plowed all winter. Leashed pets allowed on trail and at platforms.
Miners Castle Overlook - Length varies: 200 to 1300 feet one way. This is the most popular spot in the park. Miners Castle can be viewed from three different viewing platforms. The two upper viewing areas are wheelchair-accessible and are a short distance from the parking lot. The walk to the lower platform includes stairs and steep inclines. Leashed pets are allowed on paved (not dirt) trails, at viewing platforms, and in picnic area.
Superior Overlook Beach - Offers a beautiful view of Lake Superior and short stairway access to a beach. A brief walk on the beach leads to Sullivan's Creek emptying into Lake Superior. The overlook platform is wheelchair-accessible from the parking lot. Leashed pets allowed.
Twelvemile Beach - Access via stairs from the tall bluff at the day-use picnic and parking area near the campground down to a sandy beach that has great sunset views. Leashed pets allowed on beach in front of and to the east of the campground. Pets not allowed on beach west of the campground.
Log Slide Overlook Trail - Length: 0.3 mile roundtrip. This short trail leads through mature hardwoods to the western edge of the Grand Sable Dunes where logs once slid down to the lake in a wooden chute.
The overlook platform was destroyed in a winter storm but the path to the platform location is still there. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Superior, the Grand Sable Dunes, and Au Sable Lighthouse in the distance. Pets not allowed.
Grand Sable Dunes Trail - Length: 0.6 mile roundtrip. This is the main access point into the Grand Sable Dunes. The trail starts at the Sable Falls parking area near the top of the falls, continues past an old orchard and field, and crosses a bridge over Sable Creek. It then winds through a jack pine forest gradually uphill into an open dune environment. Requires some uphill climbing in sand. Pets not allowed.
Sable Falls Trail – Length: 0.4 mile roundtrip. Part of the North Country Scenic Trail. From the Sable Falls parking lot, this trail starts with 168 steps down to the base of the falls and and continues past the falls along Sable Creek to a rock and sand beach on Lake Superior. The first landing on the stairs provides a view of Sable Falls, although the best view is from the bottom. Leashed pets allowed on trail and stairs.
Visit the park's Day Hikes webpage for more "Things to Know" about hiking at Pictured Rocks.
Details
Duration
30-60 Minutes
Most of these short walks and hikes can be done in less than an hour.
Activity
Hiking
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Whether you have only a few minutes, hours, or days to see a portion of the lakeshore, one of these hikes may be for you.
Check at a visitor center for current trail conditions. Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bicycles are prohibited on park trails.
Check at a visitor center for current trail conditions. Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bicycles are prohibited on park trails.
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Pets are allowed on the follwing trails:
Munising Falls - Pets allowed on trails and stairs.
Miners Castle Overlook - Pets are allowed on paved (not dirt) trails in this area and the viewing platforms.
Superior Overlook - Pets allowed.
Twelvemile Beach - Pets allowed.
Sable Falls Trail - Pets allowed on trail and stairs.
Munising Falls - Pets allowed on trails and stairs.
Miners Castle Overlook - Pets are allowed on paved (not dirt) trails in this area and the viewing platforms.
Superior Overlook - Pets allowed.
Twelvemile Beach - Pets allowed.
Sable Falls Trail - Pets allowed on trail and stairs.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Whether you have only a few minutes, hours, or days to see a portion of the lakeshore, one of these hikes may be for you.
Check at a visitor center for current trail conditions. Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bicycles are prohibited on park trails.
Check at a visitor center for current trail conditions. Where allowed, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Bicycles are prohibited on park trails.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Most walks and hikes are available in summer and fall. Spring access depends on the amount of snow and how fast it melts.
Munising Falls, Sand Point, and the Grand Sable Visitor Center are the only areas where parking lots are plowed in winter.
Munising Falls, Sand Point, and the Grand Sable Visitor Center are the only areas where parking lots are plowed in winter.
Accessibility Information
Sand Point Marsh Trail - Entire loop is wheelchair-accessible.
Munising Falls - The paved trail and central viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible.
Munising Castle Overlook - The two upper platforms are wheelchair-accessible.
Superior Overlook - The overlook is wheelchair-accessible.
Munising Falls - The paved trail and central viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible.
Munising Castle Overlook - The two upper platforms are wheelchair-accessible.
Superior Overlook - The overlook is wheelchair-accessible.