Why Pictured Rocks Is The Perfect Place For Adventure-Seekers

I recently heard of a magical place up in Michigan called Pictured Rocks. Being only a about seven hours from me, I was surprised that I had never heard of it before and I wanted to know more about this mysterious area and check it out for myself.

So this past weekend, some friends and I took a road trip up to Michigan, more specifically to Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore in the Upper Peninsula. We all decided it would be fun to take this opportunity to rent out a big cabin and escape for the long weekend.

This is the first road trip that I’ve ever taken (I drove there and back), and the furthest north I’ve ever been in the U.S. So I was definitely excited to see what Michigan had to offer.

Now, I knew that I wanted to find that perfect picturesque area of Pictured Rocks that I had seen so many times online (you know the one with the arch and people kayaking around it?). The cabin that we had rented out was only about an hour from this location, and I was determined to see it for myself.

What I wasn’t expecting was how insanely vast these national forests are. I soon found out that the trails I had planned on seeing were one small puzzle piece in a national preserve that stretched over fifty miles. That means over fifty miles of road that branches off into separate hiking trails, waterfalls, beaches, and basically anything that your wild heart desires. I don’t know about you, but my heart desires it all.

It was hard to pick and choose where to go, but I had read about a couple of places that sounded unique and so we tried them out and were not disappointed. If you’re an adventure-seeker like me, this is going to be right up your alley.

The Log Slide

Weird name, right? Well, allow me to explain. The log slide is actually a giant dune alongside Lake Superior. It is ridiculously steep and has a couple of areas where there are drop-off rock formations that you have to climb down. So if you’re planning on running down the whole way, beware. Once at the bottom, you can really get a perspective of how difficult it will be to climb back up (pictures don’t do it justice). We decided to swim in the lake a while before heading back up.

The water was freezing, but it was an opportunity that I didn’t want to skip. And the view of the coastline was something to behold. Let me be the first to tell you, the trek uphill was a challenge. I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath, and it just so happened to be the hottest point of the day.

Sunburn, check.

Hyperventilating, check.

Out of shape, double-check.

I was practically gasping for air by the time we got to the top of it. And although it had only taken us a total of 10 minutes to get back up (yes we timed it), it had to be one of the most challenging treks I’ve done thus far. The plus side: I felt like a champ by the time it was over, and was ready for more.

 

 

Miner’s Beach

I’m going to delve a little bit into all things “Miner” because this is one of the areas that we decided looked worthwhile. Miners beach was a beautiful, sandy beach that stretched out towards the genuine article. Yes, this is beach where you can see the famous arch. And in case you were wondering, that specific arch is called “Lover’s Leap.”

I searched everywhere online for the location and name of this arch so that I could see it for myself, but to no avail. It seems there are really no specifics online as to how exactly you get there.

Well, let me tell you, after we came across this beach we were lucky enough to accidentally run into our solution. Miner’s Beach has an area where there are kayaks available to rent so that you could go see the famous Lover’s Leap up close and personal. But be warned, the prices were a bit high at $160 per person. Unfortunately for us, by the time we got there, the last tour had already been booked and gone out to sea (or lake?).

So I didn’t get to actually go right up to the arch, but i was proud enough to have found it after a long hike through the woods that brought us to this Beach.

On a side-note, we actually got lost going through the woods that led to this beach. So be fore-warned, there are no signs that tell you which way to go! Use your best judgment.

If ever you do visit this location, be sure to check out the nearby city of Munising. Here you can take tours around all of the most popular and unique areas of Pictured Rocks. Having only a limited time to see everything, we decided the tours weren’t for us. But I’d definitely try them out if ever I were to visit again!

 

Miner’s Castle

Miner’s Castle is a beautiful rock formation that overlooks Miner’s Beach. It is worth seeing, if only to take a look at the beautiful blue-green waters from up above. I couldn’t believe how crystal clear the water was! It looked similar to the blue-green ocean waters in Greece. I was definitely impressed!

You could walk down to right above the rock-formation, but are not allowed to climb directly on top of it. I believe this is because they’ve had instances of people who have fallen from the top into the shallow waters. Ouch.

Just off in the opposite direction of Miner’s Castle, there are signs that lead you on a trail towards Miner’s Beach. So if you’re feeling like a long hike, this trail is pretty awesome.

Miner’s Falls

Miner’s Falls are definitely something you don’t want to miss. This beautiful waterfall spills from the canyon overhead down into a river. It was a sight to see. Especially since, being the way I am, I climbed down the steep rocks and trees to get a closer look at this magnificent spectacle.

Saber Falls

Saber Falls was another waterfall that we stopped by. Not quite as large as Miner’s Falls, it was still beautiful and, unlike Miner’s Falls, it has a hiking trail that leads deeper into the woods. So I definitely appreciated that.

The trail leads all the way out onto a beach. It is a beautiful pathway with forests, rivers, dunes and a mystical waterfront. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, give this place a try.

 

All of these places are easy to find with a simple GPS. Although, I must say, signal is hard to come by out there in the wilderness. My phone had no service for the majority of the time. And to be honest, by the end of the trip I was a bit reluctant to return back to the world of social media once more. There’s something so liberating about being alone with nothing to occupy you except nature’s beauty.

These are just a few of the hundreds of gorgeous landscapes that Pictured Rocks has to offer. I really wish I’d had the time to explore a bit more, but take my word for it and go see it for yourself! You can easily book flights to Michigan or go the scenic route, like myself, and take a road-trip with friends. Whatever the case, if you’re an adventure-seeker, you won’t be disappointed.