A Family Guide to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with Kids: Our Family Adventure in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
If there’s one stop that completely wowed our crew during our 10-day Upper Peninsula road trip, it was Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising. Between the colorful sandstone cliffs, towering waterfalls, and thrilling boat ride, it was the perfect mix of adventure and family fun for our family of six.
We camped at Munising/ Picture Rock KOA, for a few nights — enough time to soak in the natural beauty, get our fill on the trails, and enjoy some classic UP food (yes, I’m talking about pasties!).
Trip Details at a Glance: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
Take a boat cruise, highly recommend Riptide Rides for thrills & scenic views, or kayak if kids are older.
Drive to Miners Castle overlook for stunning views
Hike 1 mile trail from Miners Castle to Miner’s Beach- Sandy Shore with Miner’s Castle as a backdrop. Climb and jump off the sandstone cliff ledges into Lake Superior.
Hike to Miner’s Falls for a glimpse of the cascading waterfall & scenic views.
Hunt for Yopperlites along Lake Superior shorelines.
Savor a U.P. classic- Pasties.
Hiking Adventures
Our first full day started with a hike to Miners Falls, one of the most impressive and kid-friendly waterfalls in the area. The trail was easy enough for all four kids, with plenty of stops along the way. The reward — a roaring 40-foot waterfall framed by lush forest — was absolutely worth the short trek. If you’re up for a challenge, climb down the ledge to get up close to the falls and play in the stream.
Miner’s Falls- 40 foot waterfall
Pictured Rocks Boat Tour – The Riptide Experience
You can’t visit Pictured Rocks without seeing the cliffs from the water. If you love thrills like we do, then definitely book a Pictured Rocks Boat Tour on the Riptide, and it was hands-down one of the kids. You can’t visit Pictured Rocks without seeing the cliffs from the water. We booked a Pictured Rocks Boat Tour on the Riptide, and it was hands-down one of the kids’ favorite experiences of the entire trip. From the deck, we watched as the cliffs came alive with colors — deep reds, greens, and blues glowing in the sunlight. The kids pointed out rock formations like Chapel Rock and Lovers Leap, and they loved every splash of the waves.
Tip: Bring sweatshirts! Even on warm days, it gets chilly on the water.
Other Boat Tour & Water Options
If the Riptide schedule doesn’t fit or you’re looking for something different, there are several great options:
Pictured Rocks Cruises – The classic and most popular narrated tour (great for all ages). There are also options for sunset cruises. These tours generally take 3 hours.
Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours – See historic shipwrecks and colorful cliffs through glass panels. On a previous trip we enjoyed this relaxing tour, especially because at that time we had a 4 month old baby in tow.
Kayak Pictured Rocks – For families with older kids or teens, guided kayak tours offer a closer, more personal experience with the cliffs.
Riptide Ride – Fast, fun, and splashy jet boat tours with plenty of laughs and energy (our pick!). We were able to get much closer to the waterfall and base of cliffs because it was a smaller lighter jet boat.
View from Overlook of Miner’s Castle
Drive to the Best Views at Miner’s Castle
After seeing the cliffs from the water, we couldn’t resist checking them out from above. We drove out to Miners Castle Overlook, one of the easiest and most scenic viewpoints in the park. The trail is short, paved, and stroller-friendly — perfect for younger kids. The view overlooking Lake Superior is breathtaking (and free!) The wheelchair-accessible path winds past interpretive center & signs to stunning overlooks of Lake Superior and Grand Island. For those wanting a closer view, stairs and a steeper trail lead down to the lower overlook beside the rock formation itself.
Other great overlooks include Log Slide Overlook and Sable Falls near Grand Marais, both offering incredible views if you’re up for a longer scenic drive.
Play at Miner’s Beach
Hike 1 mile trail from Miners Castle to Miner’s Beach- Sandy Shore with Miner’s Castle as a backdrop. Climb and jump off the cliff. From Miners Castle, we followed the 0.6-mile trail down through the forest to Miners Beach, and it ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip. (My husband drove our truck to the lower parking lot so we could leave afterwards) The hike itself was short, shaded, and followed alongside Miner’s Rivers — easy enough for the kids but just steep enough to feel like an adventure. When the trees opened up to that long stretch of golden sand and turquoise water, the kids took off running. The waters of Miner’s River were warm and they spent hours splashing in the waves and sliding down the rocky ledge. They even were daring enough to jump from the rock ledges into the cool, clear water of Lake Superior. It’s such a fun, family-friendly spot — a perfect mix of relaxation and a little adventure all in one beautiful place. We also saw lots of kayaker’s exploring this beautiful stretch of rocky beach.
Sliding Down the Smooth Rocky Ledges at Miner’s Beach
Yooperlite Hunting
Search for Yooperlites— the mysterious glowing rocks that light up under UV light along the Lake Superior shoreline. These rocks look ordinary in daylight, but shine bright orange under a blacklight due to a mineral called sodalite. The best places to look for Yooperlites near Munising are along the Lake Superior shoreline west of town at: Au Train Beach, Sand Point Beach, Munising’s Bayshore area – Bay Furnace Campground or the Munising Tourist Park Beach.
Don’t Miss the Pasties
Muldoon’s Pasties are a Upper Peninsula staple
Of course, no Upper Peninsula adventure is complete without trying a pasty. We stopped at Muldoon’s Pasties & Gifts in Munising — conveniently located next door to Riptide Boat Tour. Let’s just say, they lived up to the hype. The flaky crust, warm filling, and friendly service made it a hit with everyone.
More Family-Friendly Places to Eat in Munising
Eh! Burger – Fun atmosphere, great burgers, and a view of the bay.
Falling Rock Café & Bookstore – Cozy breakfast and lunch spot where you can browse books while you eat.
Pictured Rocks Pizza – Delicious wood-fired pizza, perfect after a long day.
Bay Furnace Bagel Works – Grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
Where to Stay Near Pictured Rocks
We camped near Munising at the KOA, which made it easy to explore all the main sights and we utilized the onsite laundry facility- much needed on our 10 day UP road trip. Here are some great options for both campers and non-campers:
Campgrounds:
KOA Munising/ Picture Rock - Family-friendly wooded sites & cabins with outdoor pool, showers and laundry
Bay Furnace Campground (National Forest) – Right on Lake Superior, simple but beautiful setting.
Wagner Falls State Forest Campground – Rustic and peaceful, close to Munising.
Munising Tourist Park Campground – Family-friendly with lake views and modern amenities.
Lodging & Cabins:
Holiday Inn Express Munising-Lakeview – Indoor pool and amazing views of Grand Island; great for families.
Americlnn Enjoy hottub and a unique pool the kids will love with all the modern conveniences.
Superior Times Resort & Campground – Mix of cabins and camping with direct access to ATV and hiking trails.
Bookings.com AmericInn unique pool
Other Family-Friendly Things to Do Nearby
Sand Point Beach – Calm, shallow water and soft sand — ideal for a beach afternoon.
Drive the H-58 scenic route – Winding roads through forest, dunes, and lake views.
Grand Island Ferry – Spend a day biking or hiking the island’s trails and beaches.
Scenic Stops Between Marquette and Pictured Rocks
The drive from Marquette to Munising (about 45 minutes) is one of those routes that turns into part of the adventure. Instead of rushing straight to Pictured Rocks, we made a few fun stops along the way — perfect for stretching legs, letting the kids explore, and soaking up Lake Superior views.
Lakenenland Sculpture Park – This quirky, free outdoor sculpture park along M-28 is such a fun and unexpected stop! The artist, Tom Lakenen, created over 100 colorful metal sculptures from scrap materials, and the result feels like a giant playground of art and imagination.
Scott Falls – Just before reaching Au Train, look for this small roadside waterfall on the right side of M-28. It’s an easy five-minute stop and you can actually walk behind the falls.
Au Train Beach – A beautiful, wide stretch of sand right off M-28 with calm, shallow water. We stopped here for a quick picnic and dip in the warm waters before continuing to Munising.
3-Day Family Itinerary for Pictured Rocks
On our 10 day UP road trip we spent 3 thrilling days in Marquette then headed to Munising to explore Pictured Rocks.
Day 1 – Marquette to Munising (Scenic Drive + Waterfalls)
Morning: Start your day in Marquette and enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading east on M-28.
Midday: Stop at Lakenenland Sculpture Park to explore the quirky outdoor art, then make a quick stop at Scott Falls or Au Train Beach for some sand and sunshine.
Afternoon: Arrive in Munising, set up camp, and hike to Miners Falls for your first taste of Pictured Rocks beauty.
Dinner: Sunset & dinner at Pictured Rocks Pizza, then s’mores back at camp.
Day 2 – Boat Tour + Miners Castle + Miners Beach
Morning: Explore Miners Castle Overlook and hike down to Miners Beach for swimming, sand play, and driftwood forts.
Late Afternoon: Head out for your Pictured Rocks Boat Tour (we took the Riptide — fast, splashy, and unforgettable!).
Evening: Enjoy classic UP pasties from Muldoon’s Pasties & Gifts (next to Riptide) and a Lake Superior sunset view from town.
Day 3 – Scenic Drive + Sable Falls + Departure
Morning: Take the H-58 scenic route toward Grand Marais, stopping at Log Slide Overlook and Sable Falls.
Midday: Pack a picnic for one last lakeside meal before heading to your next Upper Peninsula destination.
Closing Thoughts
Pictured Rocks was one of those places that left us all in awe — even the kids couldn’t stop talking about the cliffs, waterfalls, and “the boat that went splash.” It was the perfect mix of wild beauty and family adventure, and it’s one stop we’ll definitely return to on our next Upper Peninsula road trip.
If you’re planning your own family getaway, be sure to check out our other UP travel guides and video— including our favorite campgrounds, waterfall hikes, and family-friendly stops from the eastern to western shores of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Check out our video of the beauty you can find in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
