By:
Submission
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore hugs the Lake Superior shoreline for more than 40 miles along Michigan's northern coast. Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, coldest, and most pristine of all the Great Lakes. In addition to boating and kayaking on the lake, the park's backcountry offers nearly 100 miles of walking and hiking trails and opportunities for solitude, inspiration, physical challenge, renewal, and camping. Access to Pictured Rocks' backcountry is primarily along the 'Lakeshore Trail', a part of the 42-mile long North Country National Scenic Trail where you can experience forests, dunes, beaches, waterfalls and wonderful panoramic views.
[Backcountry Planner](https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm) The backcountry campgrounds are accessed by hiking or kayaking only. A backcountry camping **permit is required** year-round for all overnight trips into the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore backcountry. Permits are not required for day hiking. To assist in planning an overnight backcountry trip into Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, take time to carefully plan and prepare for your adventure. Pictured Rocks offers fourteen backcountry campgrounds, that are located at two to five mile intervals along the Lakeshore Trail. Private shuttle services are available.
Permit holder must print and retain one copy of the permit when hiking to the campground; permit must be visibly secured to tent at campsite. You will be assigned a campsite number at every backcountry campground. Permit holder may have only one permit reserved at one time. Camp only in designated sites and follow permit itinerary. You must camp within 15 feet of the numbered post at your chosen campsite. Individual campsites are available for groups of 1-6 people (2 tents or hammocks maximum, or 1 tent and 1 hammock). Groups of 7-20 people and up to a 10 tent max. must camp in designated group sites. Each campground has a specific capacity; campsites within each backcountry campground are identified by a numbered post.
[Leave No Trace Principles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMYTg0lHDG8) [Leave No Trace Principles with Audio Description](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lTozt-CjBw) Learn how to Leave No Trace in our beautiful campgrounds.
**Cancellation Policy:**
Prior to printing your permit, you may cancel any time before your reservation date and receive a 50% refund of all backcountry camping permit fees ($5 per person, per night). The $15 reservation fee is non-refundable. If you have printed your permit, there are no refunds.
**Change Policy:**
Prior to printing your permit, you may make changes to your permit before your reservation date. Changes may be made to the group size, campground, and the duration of your trip. An additional $15 non-refundable fee will be charged for changes.
Changes may be made to the group size through your Recreation.gov account or through the Call Center and may incur additional backcountry camping permit fees or be refunded these fees depending on whether you increase or decrease your group size. If decreasing your numbers, you will receive a full refund of the backcountry camping permit fees for the numbers you are decreasing only.
A change to the duration of the trip or campground may only be made through the Call Center. For changes to the duration of the trip, you may incur additional backcountry camping permit fees or be refunded these fees depending on whether you increase or decrease your number of nights. If decreasing your numbers, you will receive a full refund of the backcountry camping permit fees for the numbers you are decreasing only.
To change your entry date, you must cancel your permit and reserve a new permit. All fees apply.
**No Show Policy:**
If you do not print your permit by 11:59 p.m. on the first day of your scheduled trip, your entire backcountry camping permit will be canceled. No refunds. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it to open space for others.
https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Reservation Fee: $15 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reserved. Backcountry Camping Permit Fee: $5 per person/per night. Children 5 and under are free.
We spent a couple of hours here. We went to the upper overlook, Miner's castle, lower overlook, and Miner's beach. Wonderful views. If you're short on time, these places are very easy to get to. just an FYI, if you're going in late October, dress warm. A sweatshirt and leggings isn't going to cut it.
Don't miss Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore if you are visiting North Michigan Peninsula.
I request to take out time. Visit the north side to enjoy Lake Superior. Enjoy beach, trekking, and walking.
You will like it.
Loved our day spent exploring Pictured Rocks! Due to lack of snow, the roads were drivable into late December. We had a wonderful time checking out Grand Sable falls and Dunes, Au Sable light station, Mosquito Beach, and lovers leap (sea arch). At the end of the day we had over 25k steps!
Absolutely gorgeous place to hike and just explore! Went over Memorial Day weekend ‘23 and was shocked that it wasn’t crowded at all. Beautiful weather and area. Would love to go back to the UP!
