Sunday, February 25, 2024

How Much Is Pictured Rocks Boat Tour

Michigan Upper Peninsula Map

Pictured Rocks Boat Tour in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Free Cruise in your living room!

We created this Interactive Michigan Upper Peninsula Map as a visual aid to help you organize your trip and make the most out of your Michigan Vacation.

Click on this so you can use it while driving.

How to Use the Interactive Michigan Upper Peninsula Map:

  • In the map Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all the Michigan cities. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
  • In the Header, click on the “square” icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing.

Mosquito Falls And Chapel Falls Loop Hike

For hikers who are up for a challenge and would like to see the best that the Pictured Rocks coastline has to offer, I would recommend my favorite hike in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area. The Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls loop hike combines portions of the Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls loop hikes with a roughly 4-mile hike along the lakeshore. Its a very long hike, so I would definitely recommend that you have the time and are comfortable with the 10+ mile distance before attempting this hike.

Starting the Hike

This is a loop hike, so the trail both begins and ends at the Chapel Basin Area parking lot. From there, you can either hike past Mosquito Falls to Mosquito Beach or past Chapel Falls to Chapel Rock. Regardless of which direction you hike, once you reach the coastline you will follow the Lakeshore North Country Trail along Lake Superior for roughly 4-miles.

The Lakeshore North Country Trail

As you hike along the Lakeshore trail, you will get to see the absolute best of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore coastline. The most beautiful section of the Pictured Rocks coast stretches from Mosquito Beach to Chapel Rock, which is exactly where this loop hike takes you. If you are curious about what you will see as you hike along the Lakeshore trail, I have included a map and some pictures for you to review in my Pictured Rocks Travel Guide below.

Finishing the Hike

Expert Tips for Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls Loop Hike

Glass Bottomed Boat Shipwreck Tour

Lake Superior has claimed her fair share of ships, and many of them are visible thanks to the crystal-clear waters. If thats something that interests you, you can go on a glass-bottomed boat tour to see some of the sunken ships along the coast of Lake Superior.

For more information on the different boat tours available in the area, see the Munising Visitors Center website.

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Top Things To See And Do

Not only is the Pictured Rocks National Coastline incredibly beautiful, but it is also chalk-full of incredible things to see and do. In addition to being one of the premier kayaking destinations in North America, the Pictured Rocks coastline is also an amazing place to go hiking, climbing, and nature watching. Each year, Pictured Rocks attracts thousands of kayakers, hikers, and outdoor adventure seekers to explore its incredible coastline and hiking trails. If you plan your time wisely when visiting, you can explore the breathtaking rock cliffs at pictured rocks both by boat and by foot. For those who are looking for some fun ideas on what to do while visiting the coastline, I have included a list of my top things to see and do for you to review in my Pictured Rocks Travel Guide below.

D Rocks Photo Gallery

5. Embark on a fascinating boat tour at Pictured Rocks ...

During my many visits to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, I have been able to capture a lot of amazing photographs of this beautiful stretch of coastline. If you are interested in seeing some of my top pictures, I have included a gallery of images in my Pictured Rocks Travel Guide for you to review below.

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When To Visit Pictured Rocks

The peak time to visit Pictured Rocks, Michigan is during the summer months, from June to August, when the temperatures warm up. Weather in this area can be fairly unpredictable so its best to be prepared for cool weather, warm weather, and rain. Many people also choose to visit during the winter, to take part in ice climbing excursions. Be warned that this area experiences very cold weather, and has many seasonal roads that become impassable during this time.

Our Pictured Rocks Cruise Tour On Lake Superior Michigan

One of the highlights of our Upper Peninsula family road trip was our cruise with Pictured Rocks Cruises, which is the only approved vendor at the National Park Services Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We booked the 2.5-hour cruise that ventures all the way to Spray Falls one afternoon. Other options for cruises were the classic cruise and the sunset cruise.

We paid four tickets were $92. Adult tickets are $45 and child tickets were $1. These are general admission tickets, which means you can sit wherever you want on the boat, but if you have a preference for seats, such as upper level or indoor, you should get to the dock early to wait in line. We were among the last passengers on the boat, so we were seated indoors. This ended up being the best for us since we had a baby and a 5-year-old.

As soon as we boarded, we had our safety briefing and were told the waters were rough that day. We were given the option to deboard and get a refund if we thought we might experience sea sickness. This made me nervous to hear because of our two kids. I wondered if we should try again another day, but we chose to stick with this adventure, as the staff called it. Im glad we stuck it out because it ended up not being that bad. Sure, the boat moved a lot, but it was not bad at all. And the views were worth it!

I would highly recommend this cruise if you visit Munising. Its well worth the ticket price.

Have you visited Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Watch a video of our cruise:

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D Rocks Tour Or Rent Our Own Boat

We have 7 adults and 2 kids, would we be better of renting our own pontoon boat or taking the tour? I know with the tour we will get a narrated guide but it may be cheaper to rent a boat.

I would not rent a boat-that lake can kick up some serious waves and the weather can change in a heartbeat. Go with the tour, unless you are really experienced boaters and have the money to spend on gas going all the way out to the Pictured Rocks. Just my opinion, of course!

IMO renting a pontoon boat on Lake Superior is a really poor idea…

Every summer, a couple of pontoon boats show up on Mackinac Island on a calm day. They just don’t realize how fast a storm can come up and how large waves get on the Great Lakes. It is a wonder there aren’t more incidents.

I’d be chicken to try touring Pictured Rocks on my own little boat. I don’t care how much money I’d save, I’d rather have peace of mind going with an experienced tour operator.

Wow, glad I asked. Had no idea it could get that rough. This is our first trip to Michigan and am not familiar with the area at all. Thanks so much!!

The Great Lakes are more like the seas, not like typical inland lakes. You most likely will not encounter rough weather or water while on the tour boat, as they watch both very carefully and will not go out if either exists. Much safer. You will occasionally see jet skiis following the boat though, as they like to jump thru the wake created by the tour boat.

didn’t know Lake Superior could get that rough?

Other Things To See In The Area

Pictured rocks cruises boat tour in Michigan|world best Amazing natural scenic rocks|Gupta’s in U.S

In addition to all of the amazing things to see and do along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the American Great Lakes region has some other amazing stretches of coastline and attractions that I think outdoor travel enthusiasts would really love to explore. If you are looking for some additional destinations in the area to add to your travel itinerary, I have included some recommendations in my Pictured Rocks Travel Guide for you to review below.

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North Coast Paddleboarding

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Convenience At Its Finest

All vessels have enclosed, heated cabins, restrooms, stabilizers and sturdy seats for your comfort and safety. Each boat has an upper deck and a lower deck with bench seating. The benches are padded and have backs for added comfort. The upper deck is uncovered, while the lower deck is enclosed with large windows on both sides. Be sure to arrive early if you have a preference as seating is first come, first served.

A variety of sodas and bottled water are available for purchase aboard the boat. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages. However, large coolers or alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

The Definitive Pictured Rocks Travel Guide

In preparing my Pictured Rocks Travel Guide, I made several extended trips to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigans Upper Peninsula. While there, I hiked over 30 miles of trails and kayaked 7 miles of shoreline so that I could bring you this comprehensive guide. Each recommendation and nugget of insight that you will find in this comprehensive Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore travel guide is based on my personal experience and knowledge of the area. Rest assured, you are getting recommendations from someone with extensive first-hand experience in exploring Pictured Rocks when using my travel guide to plan your adventure.

When it comes to the worlds incredible coastlines, most of the attention goes to the breathtaking ocean coastlines that are found throughout the world. Places like the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, the Great Ocean Road in Australia, and the Big Sur coastline in the American state of California get a lot of attention from travelers. I have visited all of these coastlines in my many travelers, and I can personally attest to their incredible beauty.

In this Pictured Rocks Travel Guide, I am going to give you all of the information you need to plan a successful trip to see this incredible coastline. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you are able to see and do on your trip. In addition, I outline the top things to see and do while you are there and where the best places to stay and eat are.

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How Long To Plan Your Visit To Pictured Rocks

As you can see in the map of the park that I provided in my Pictured Rocks travel guide below, the coastline is quite long. In fact, Pictured Rocks National Coastline stretches over 42-miles from end-to-end. Because of its size, you need to plan your time wisely if you want to see all there is to see when visiting. If you are planning on visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and would really like to explore the area, I would strongly suggest that you plan on spending at least a full day there. For those travelers who would like to get out on Lake Superior and see the lakeshore from the lake, it is best to plan on spending at least a few full days at Pictured Rocks.

Hike The Chapel Rock And Chapel Beach Loop

Pictured Rocks Boat Tours

Another incredible hike that is available in the Chapel Basin area of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the Chapel Rock and Chapel Falls Loop hike. Although it is a little longer than the Mosquito Falls and Mosquito Beach loop, it is still rather easy and accessible to hikers of most skill levels.

Starting Your Hike

The hike takes you from the Chapel Basin parking area down to the Lake Superior shoreline near Chapel Beach. On your way down to the beach, you will pass the beautiful Chapel Falls. There is a lookout deck where you can get some amazing views of the falls and take some great pictures . For hikers who are only interested in seeing the falls, it is a roughly 2.6-mile out-and-back hike from the parking area.

From the Chapel Falls viewing area, it is roughly another 1.8-miles to Chapel Rock, which is an incredible rock formation that sits on the Pictured Rocks coastline. This amazing rock formation used to be a natural arch, but the archway has since fallen into the lake. All that remains now is a large root structure that stretches in mid-air to the coastline to provide nutrients to the trees on top of Chapel Rock.

Looping Back to the Parking Area

Expert Tips for Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach Loop Hike

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Can You Walk To Pictured Rocks

Day Hikes at Pictured Rocks. Miners Beach is a very scenic place to walk. Its nearly a mile from one end to the other. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers 100 miles of hiking trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, forest wilderness, cultural sites, and breathtaking cliff-top views of Lake Superior.

What To See At Pictured Rocks Michigan

The best way to see the Pictured Rocks, Michigan is to drive through it, from Munising up to Grand Marais, making several scenic stops along the way. Everything you see will depend on the amount of hiking you want to do. Many scenic stops are very close to a parking lot, but there are a handful that require a bit more walking. Here are some of the highlights of Pictured Rocks.

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Outstanding Boat Tours In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

If you would like a more in-depth look at Pictured Rocks and the shoreline , you absolutely must take a Pictured Rocks boat ride that launch from Munising Michigan! We highly recommend these boat tours listed below.

Read more about the Rip Tide Ride and Pictured Rocks Cruises:

  • Rip Tide Ride: We really REALLY enjoyed our exciting Rip Tide Ride around Grand Island. There were lots of high powered turns and fun galore! You will have tons of chances for photos along the way.
  • Pictured Rocks Cruises – What a fantastic boat tour! You will be wowed with the incredible rock formations, caves and waterfalls on this trip!

Munising: Your Guide To Spectacular Pictured Rocks Waterfalls Lighthouses Boat Rides Beaches And Ruins Galore

A Boat Tour of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Mi

Munising Michigan has so much to offer, like lighthouses, boat cruises, beaches, waterfalls, ruins and hiking! You will be shocked to learn there is so many awesome things to do in the upper peninsula!

Visit our official Munising page for:

  • Bay Furnace Ruins
  • Munising Front and Rear Range Lighthouses
  • Where to eat in Munising

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Pictured Rocks Cruises, LLC is an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service Department of the Interior. For over 50 years, our summer cruises have been guiding visitors to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a top Michigan vacation spot. Our boat cruises are 2 1/2 to 3 hours and will travel into and alongside the most visually stunning 40 miles of shoreline on the Great Lakes! We offer 3 distinct Michigan cruises: the Classic Cruise, the Spray Falls Cruise, and the Sunset Cruise. Each cruise departs from the Munising, Michigan City Dock. The crew will assist in ticketing, safety instructions, and other needs. Our day cruises are narrated by the captain, who will inform you of a brief history of the tour boat, local area facts, and Michigan points of interest on this national park tour. If you are looking for unique vacation ideas, choose Pictured Rocks Cruises scenic boat tours as your Michigan travel destination.

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Houghton Michigan: Home Of The Quincy Mine Tours Isle Royale Seaplane Ranger Iii Scenic Waterfalls

Houghton Michigan is an incredible Upper Peninsula city to visit during all our seasons. There’s hiking, waterfalls, mine tours and so many things to do and see!

Houghton MI is the departure city for Michigan vacationers headed to Isle Royale National Park. You can board the Isle Royale Seaplane and the Ranger III in Houghton.

Read all about Houghton:

D Rocks Boat Tours Tips

Pictured Rocks Boat Tours
  • Purchase tickets early. Either get in line when they open in the morning, or order online the day before once you know the weather forecast.
  • Dress for the weather. If you plan on sitting on the open top deck, make sure to have a snug fitting hat and light coat since it is typically windy.
  • The best lighting is during the later afternoon and evening cruises when the sun is lower especially for pictures.
  • The cruise is 2 ½ hours long, so be prepared to keep kids occupied and bring along some snacks.
  • Line up early. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to launch, but you can start getting in line after the previous boat leaves. Id recommend at least 30 minutes early.
  • The right side of the boat will be facing the Pictured Rocks on the outbound leg and the lighthouse on the way back. This side also has the best lighting for pictures later in the day.
  • Free parking is available on the side street and lot near the ticket office. The street side parking may offer some shade.
  • There are bathrooms in the ticket office and lesser known ones in the building across the street in the park.

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