Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Seney National Wildlife Refuge Hiawatha National Forest Superior Wildlands A FREE GUIDE To Your Central and Eastern Up per Pen in sula Federal Lands Unplug © Rebecca Mitchell Get Outside © Debbie Cook © Karen Kanine Explore © Laura Wong Detailed maps of each property can Visitor Center/Ranger Station be found inside this publication. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Welcome to Your National Lakeshore ARE YOU READY TO KAYAK LAKE SUPERIOR? If you have been here before, you know how Kayaking at Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore, Grand Island incredible this park is. From day to day and Preparation checklist National Recreation Area, and other Hiawatha Great Lakes season to season, the Lakeshore provides a At a minimum, you should shoreline areas can be a fun adventure. However, it is not recom- wide array of outdoor experiences. have.... mended for the novice kayaker (unless accompanied by a profes- sional tour guide). Both Pictured Rocks and Grand Island feature So, why is this place special and why was Sea kayak many miles of sheer cliffs which offer no way off the water if wind it designated in 1966 as our nation’s first and waves increase. National Lakeshore? Could it be that the PFD (personal park borders Lake Superior - the world’s flotation device) Lake Superior can become hazardous for any size vessel even in largest freshwater lake? From Miners Castle moderate weather. The weather can suddenly change, exposing you can look out over 1/10th of the world’s Wet suit you to cold temperatures, wind, fog, lightning and rough seas. fresh water! Spray skirt (and Except for shallow areas, Lake Superior’s temperatures rarely Could it be the five square miles of Grand know how to use it) Recreational kayakers being rescued along the cliffs Sable Dunes, the largest collection of © Craig Blacklock reach above 55 degrees. Hypothermia can happen in as little as of Pictured Rocks N.L. Don’t let this be you! 15 minutes. Before you go, check the marine forecast! perched sand dunes on Lake Superior? Whistle and foghorn Our sand dunes contain some of the rarest - whew, what an amazing list of things to do! logging wheels, used in summer logging in the U.P. Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) and wet suits should be worn at all times on Lake Superior. plants in the Great Lakes region. Bilge pump, paddle And if history is your thing - just wait! Would float and tow rope How about over a dozen miles of spectacu- you like to climb the 85’ Au Sable Lighthouse While enjoying the Lakeshore, please Sea Kayaks vs. Recreational Kayaks lar sandstone cliffs that rise over 200 feet tower and view a storm-tossed Lake remember to take good care of yourself Weather radio Sea kayaks with a spray skirt are recommended, because they are safer on Lake Superior. Recreational above the lake? Cliffs where peregrine Superior? and the park. Stop by one of the park visitor kayaks are designed for inland waters and are not suited for high winds and big waves. Recreational falcons nest, and rare arctic plants eke out centers for information, either the Munising Float plan kayaks can fill with water and sink due to their large open cockpit. Sea kayaks are generally 16 to 19 feet a living in breathtaking microclimates. How about looking over a 36’ Coast Guard Falls Visitor Center (open year-round) or the long; with hatches and bulkheads providing flotation in the front and back. self-righting lifeboat on Sand Point? Imagine Grand Sable Visitor Center (open summer/ A partner (kayaking What about the sparkling inland lakes and going out in that little shell when there are early fall). alone is not advised) Sea Kayak Recreational Kayak gurgling streams that meander through the 10’ waves on the big lake! park? Don’t forget our many waterfalls too! Feel free to chat with a park ranger. Ask Spare clothes, food Or you might picture yourself as a collier at them questions about the park and share and water There is so much natural history here, a the Schoolcraft blast furnace at Munising your views on how we are doing at protect- person could spend a lifetime exploring, Falls, where pig iron was made in the 1800s. ing your national lakeshore. Additional Safety hiking, skiing, kayaking, snowshoeing, bird Recommended Skills watching, beachcombing, camping, sail- If you travel to the Log Slide, you can imag- Park information can also be found on the Information Available at • Know how to properly use a spray skirt and be able to get back in your boat if you tip over. ing, walking, swimming, fishing, canoeing ine hitching up your draft horse to a set of web: www.nps.gov/piro. Have a great visit! www.nps.gov/piro/planyour- • Know how to paddle around the wake from large boats. Be aware of wave bounce near visit/kayaking.htm cliffs. Where can I see the Pictured Rocks? hours of operation. • Know how to paddle within your skills and abilities. If there is any doubt, don’t go out! Where Can I...? The Pictured Rocks Cliffs extend from Sand Point, northeast along Lake Superior for Where are the waterfalls? Natural History Associations - Partners about 15 miles toward the eastern gateway The Lakeshore publishes a site bulletin on Summer Interpretive community of Grand Marais. waterfalls. Pick up a copy at one of the visi- in Interpretation and Education tor centers. Tell me about the Pictured Rocks Cruises? Programs Are Popular There are several non-profit associations which support interpre- One of the best ways to see the cliffs is from Where can I walk with my dog? tation, education, and research on these federal lands. Money the Pictured Rocks Cruises. Cruise boats Pets are permitted in specific locations but generated from gift store sales, donations, and memberships goes traverse about 13 miles of the cliffs during are not allowed in the backcountry. Obtain a to support the places you are visiting. Each association is guided a 2.5 hour trip. Boats leave from the City Pets at the Lakeshore site bulletin at one of by a volunteer Board of Directors, which votes on how revenue and Dock at Bayshore Park. The cruise sched- the visitor centers for detailed information. donations should be spent based on budget and projects suggested ule is available at 906-387-2379. by agency staff and volunteers. Here are some improvements paid Where can I camp? The park has three rustic drive-in camp- for in whole or part by these associations: Do I have to take the cruise to see the Where can I get information? • Campground programs The Lakeshore’s year-round visitor center grounds - Little Beaver Lake (8 sites), Pictured Rocks? Twelvemile Beach (36 sites) and Hurricane • Informational leaflets No. A portion of the cliffs can be seen by is Munising Falls Visitor Center, located in • Exhibits and interpretive signs Munising on Washington St./Sand Point River (22 sites). All are first come first driving to Miners Castle and walking a short served. A fee of $14-$16 per night is • Observation scopes and decks distance to the viewing platforms. Other Rd. The Grand Sable Visitor Center on H-58 • Summer internships near Grand Marais at the park’s east end is charged. There are no electrical, water, or vistas can be accessed by longer day hikes sewer hookups at Lakeshore campgrounds. • Teacher workshop materials and support on the North Country Trail. open seasonally. Check the park website for • Special events • This newspaper! guidelines posted on bulletin boards and All three agencies present a variety of tours and programs from May Being Aware for Your Safety in backcountry regulations by hanging your through October. For a schedule, consult area bulletin boards, stop Hiawatha Interpretive Association Falling rock, cascading dunes, rip currents, food on the food pole provided or securing at a visitor center, or view our websites - then join us! PO Box 913 and encounters with black bears due to food in the food locker provided or in a Munising, MI 49862 improper storage of food...as a Lakeshore vehicle. www.hiawathainterpretive.com Hiawatha Interpretive Association visitor, these are things you should be think- ing about. As you visit the park, be aware If you encounter a bear while on foot in the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation your surroundings and ask yourself “what park, make noise and wave your arms. Do Seney Natural History Association if?” not drop your day pack or other items with The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation 1606 Refuge Entrance Rd. food in them. Please report all incidents to (NPLSF) is a non-profit “friends” organization Seney, MI 49883 Many cliff areas along the North Country a park ranger or visitor center. which provides financial support to the five U.S. friendsofseney.org Trail are actually overhangs with free space National Park areas on Lake Superior. These facebook.com/friendsofseney below. As you are hiking in the park - stay History Highlights include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI), back from the edge. Keweenaw National Historical Park (MI), Grand Don’t forget to visit the Lakeshore’s cultural treasures, including the historic Portage National Monument (MN), Apostle Islands National Lake- Eastern National Rip currents are possible at several Coast Guard Station and Boathouse at shore (WI), and Isle Royale National Park (MI). 470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1 beaches along the Lakeshore depending While the Grand Sable Dunes are a unique the end of Sand Point Road, the Au Sable Ft. Washington, PA 19034 on weather and water conditions. Check and beautiful part of the park, they too can Your donation to NPLSF will assist parks with worthy projects over www.easternnational.org the bulletin boards to learn how to get out if Light Station, the logging exhibits at Log and above funding for basic park operations.