Review of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Michigan

On a scenic drive in Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on state highways M-28 and M-94 leading to Munising, off Alger County Road H-58, between the two cities of Munising and Grand Marais is where the spectacular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore can be discovered.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is open all year-round, however some of the roads are only seasonally plowed and can restrict your normal automobile traffic during the Winter months down to a nil and is only accessible by a snowmobile. There is no entrance fee associated with entrance to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

There is a fee associated with two of their three camping sites for $14 per night and $16 for one of their scenic lakeside sites at Twelvemile Beach Campground. They do not accept reservations and fees are to be paid in cash (U.S. currency).

Another fee associated attraction is by a ranger-led, half-hour tour of the Au Sable Lighthouse from July first to Labor Day at $3 per person. However you may freely roam the grounds at no charge where it offers many photographic moments.

The almost unlimited things-to-do at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is bounteous, such as the photographic moments of Spring wildflowers. Summer offers even more with; picnicking, boating, hiking, and camping within the parks boundaries. Autumn makes way for a hunter paradise and the vivid display of colors as the foliage starts to change. Winter will not leave you empty handed as far as outdoors activities are concerned, for you will be blessed with ice-fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The possibilities are plenty when you consider the fact that the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore gives-up 15 miles of cliffs that go from Sand Point, all the way to, and beyond Spray Falls, where you and yours' may sun yourselves upon the white sands of Twelemile Beach. Please do not forget the dunes of Grand Sable, you could hardly miss them for they tower well above the Lake Superior Shorelines near Grand Marais.

One of the most impressive, not to mention most scenic attractions within the Pictured Rocks National Shoreline is the Miners Castle rock formation. It can be viewed and photographed from various points-of-view. From afar, as well as right on top of it. In 2006 a significant portion of the Miners Castle rock formation let-loose and crashed into the sea below. One should never wander past any gates and or fences in place as to deter one from falling victim, (no pun intended) to the depths below. Some not heeding the parks posted warnings have been tragically killed from exploring past parks boundaries.

Source: http://www.nps.gov/