Head north to Munising Michigan for a dream trip kayaking Pictured Rocks!
What is Pictured Rocks?
If you are looking for the ultimate Michigan adventure, kayaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore should be at the top of your list.
Gigantic sandstone cliffs and sea caves define this landscape. In addition, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features hundreds of miles of peaceful trails, incredible waterfalls, and sandy beaches. Located near Munising, Michigan in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (the UP) find out why this should be a bucket list destination for you!
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area twice in my life. On my first visit, I did a Pictured Rocks cruise and a Glass Bottom Shipwreck boat tour. Both were a lot of fun, but after seeing how beautiful the area is, I knew I had to return and do a kayaking tour.
Lake Superior is one of the 5 Great Lakes. In fact, it’s the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Superior also is the coldest and deepest (1,332 feet) of the Great Lakes. Numerous shipwrecks dot the lake bottom, a testament to the lake’s power. But while the boat cruises are fantastic for seeing the sheer scale of the cliffs, kayaking offers something completely different: intimacy.
When you are in a kayak, you aren’t just looking at the scenery; you are in it. The perspective from the water level is unmatched. As you paddle along the shoreline, the turquoise water beneath you looks almost Caribbean, a stunning contrast to the vibrant orange, red, and blue mineral stains streaking down the sandstone faces (sometimes called painted rocks).
Why Kayaking Pictured Rocks is the Best Way to Explore
The biggest advantage of a kayak is accessibility. The large tour boats have to keep a safe distance from the rocks, but in a kayak, you can paddle right up to the cliff walls and actually touch the ancient sandstone. You can glide through sea caves that are inaccessible to larger vessels and float underneath massive archways like the famous Lover’s Leap. It’s an incredible experience!
Depending on the tour you choose, you might get close-up views of:
- Miners Castle: The most famous formation in the park looks even more imposing from below.
- Bridalveil Falls: A seasonal waterfall that you can sometimes paddle right under (prepare to get wet!).
- Kissing Rock: A unique formation where two cliff faces seem to meet.
Safety First!! Respect the Lake A word of caution for fellow travelers: Lake Superior is no joke. The weather can turn instantly, and the water is frigid year-round (rarely getting above 60°F). Because of this, I highly recommend booking a guided tour rather than renting a kayak to go out solo.
There are excellent outfitters in Munising that offer “mothership” style tours. Their boats take you out to the best sections of the cliffs and launch you directly from the boat. This saves you from the exhausting 6-mile paddle just to get to the cliffs, so you can save your energy for exploring the caves and arches. I personally booked my tour with Pictured Rocks Kayaking -you can check out their website HERE. They were fantastic and I wouldn’t hesitate to book them again. One thing to note is that the kayaks are tandem (2 person) so if you are solo or have an odd number in your group, you will be making a new kayaking friend!
Final Thoughts
Returning to Pictured Rocks to kayak was a dream come true for me. Hearing the water lap against the kayak and seeing the sunlight dance on the cave walls created a memory I’ll never forget. If you are planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula, do yourself a favor: get off the shore, get into a kayak, and paddle Pictured Rocks. It is the adventure of a lifetime!