Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit
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.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Hike-in | 64 |
| group hike to | 7 |
| Boat-in | 1 |
Site guide
72 sites in 14 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AuSable East 1 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East 2 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East 3 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East 4 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East 5 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East 6 | AuSable East | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| AuSable East Group | AuSable East | Group Hike To | Lakefront | 20 / – | Yes | |
| Beaver Creek 1 | Beaver Creek | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| Beaver Creek 2 | Beaver Creek | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | ||
| Beaver Creek 3 | Beaver Creek | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | 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. |
- Backcountry camping is spread across the National Lakeshore. Facilities are entirely primitive and located in the most remote regions of our park.
- There are 72 available backcountry campsites. 7 of these campsites are group campsites. Only one of these sites are a designated "boat-in" campsite.
- All campsites have food storage boxes on-site. Please store all food in these containers to protect from wildlife.
- All campsites are located along the North Country Trail, spanning only a small portion of the entire trail length.
- Pack in, pack out. There are no designated trash disposal areas at these campsites.
- There is no electricy or hookups located along the North Country Trail and backcountry campsites.
- There is no potable water located along the North Country Trail. A reminder to bring items to sanitize any lake or stream water for safe consumption.
- Certain parts of the North Country Trail are located along frontcountry camping. These campgrounds will have vault toilets for public use.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.5622° N, 86.3051° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
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. If decreasing your numbers, you will receive a full refund of the backcountry camping permit fees for the numbers you are decreasing only.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Things To Know When Backpacking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - The Perfect Trail For
Worth a stop
- 12.6 miMiners Castle Visitor Contact Station ↗Visitor center
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Beaver Basin Wilderness.
- inBeaver Basin Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 11,740 acres
- 10.5 miHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Au Sable Light StationBuilding · Grand Marais · 11 mi
Natural features
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four-season outdoor opportunities abound!
Recreation
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles (161 km) of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. Whether you have only a few minutes, hours, or days to see a portion of the lakeshore, one of these hikes may be for you. Lake Superior's rugged shoreline invites individuals to explore the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with its miles of colorful sandstone cliffs and long stretches of sandy beaches. Watch the weather carefully while on the lake. The weather can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Just because it's calm in Munising Bay or Grand Marais Harbor does not mean it is calm along the more distant shores. The Pictured Rocks cliffs rise 50 to 200 feet (15 to 61 m) directly from the lake, offering precious few protected places if the wind and waves increase.
Guidebooks for Michigan
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
Sites at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
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.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
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).
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit have?
72 sites, including 64 hike-in sites, 7 group hike to, and 1 boat-in site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles (161 km) of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit?
Munising, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Little Beaver Campground (2.7 mi), Twelvemile Beach Campground And Cabin (6.7 mi), and Hurricane River Campground (9.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit in?
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit is a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.