Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has the privilege of being the country's first national lakeshore having been authorized in 1966 and later established as a National Lakeshore on October 5, 1972. The National Lakeshore encompasses a total area of about 73,000 acres of land. The National Lakeshore is located in Alger County, Michigan and the closest popular urban center is Munising. 

If you want to get to the main entrance, drive to the junction of MI 28 and County Road H-58 in Munising where you will find a visitor information center. Once you get to the park, you will get to experience several attractions some of which include a part of the Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula that can be found between Munising and Grand Marais. 

You will also find several natural features including waterfalls, broad beaches, sand dunes, multicolored sandstone cliffs, hardwood and coniferous forests, inland lakes, wetlands, and several plant and wildlife species. Besides the natural splendor in the National Lakeshore, you can also get to see the Au Sable Light, that was built in 1874 to prevent shipwrecks after several occurred at around that time. 

Besides these attractions, you can also participate in several recreational activities that include camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating, hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. You are permitted to bring your dog along for the fun and activity.

If you choose to bring your dog along, remember that you must always keep your dog on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length or you must at least ensure that your pooch is in a secure enclosure. You are also expected to respect the park's resources and visitors, and this includes ensuring that you collect your dog’s solid waste right away and that you dispose of the waste in the right manner. 

You should also be aware that there are areas of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Park that you cannot access. Areas that you cannot access include the national lakeshore beaches in the backcountry. You can visit most other places including picnic areas, and paved trails. You can get a more detailed list of areas you can access at the visitor’s information center.