13 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
*Updated on May 23, 2023
Michigan, in 1966, became the first state in the nation to have one of its shorelines designated a National Lakeshore, as declared by Congress. Extending 42 miles and covering more than 73,000 acres along Lake Superior's southern shore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore contains 15 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs, water-carved caves, arches, and other rock formations, as well as five miles of sandy dunes decorated here and there with jack pine forests.
Pictured Rocks has attracted more than 25 million visitors since 1973, according to statistics maintained by the National Park Service, including over a million apiece in 2020 and 2021 — and it's no secret why people flock to these somewhat far-flung shores in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Instead of attempting to describe their beauty, I thought a much more poignant way to show just how magnificent they are would be to let them speak for themselves.
Here, in all of its sandstone-y glory, is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
And finally...
Check out this ultra-brief video, which features two rock formations mentioned above: Battleship Row and the Flower Vase. (And then start planning your trip, obviously.)
-LTH