Pictured Rocks Cruises

Pictured Rocks seen from Sand Point.

Most area visitors see the Pictured Rocks by taking a boat cruise (2 hours 40 minutes, 37 miles) from Munising. Late-afternoon light is best for seeing the colors. The 5 p.m. cruise) is recommended, or the Sunset Cruise, between 6 and 7, depending on the season. These two times are only from July through Labor Day.

Arrive early to get a seat on the top deck, the best place to view the scenery. If you do sit on top, a windbreaker may be a good idea, and hats for the sun. No alcohol is allowed on board, a Coast Guard order. Pop, chips, and such are sold on the boat; passengers can also bring their own food.

The cruise departs rain or shine, but might be canceled by wind conditions.
It begins by passing Grand Island, its sandstone cliffs, and the East Channel Lighthouse of poetically weathered wood. (Privately owned, it's now been restored, thanks to individual donations in part. (See separate Point of Interest for Grand Island National Recreation Area.)

The tour competently points out key facts about Pictured Rocks and shows passengers their scenic highlights, from Miners Castle to Pulpit Rock to the Grand Portal. The tour boat gets close to the sandstone cliffs when possible. It slows down, and even moves into a narrow inlet on Battleship Row if conditions permit.

Narrations vary from one captain to another. They used to be pretty hokey, but our 2006 cruise was intelligent and iinformative about the rock colors, local history and legends, and rockfalls (generally one a year, due to water freezing, expanding, and breaking the soft sandstone). He was greatly enjoyed by diverse tourgoers, including two groups of international graduate students from downstate universities. One young woman in stylish hiking attire said she never gets tired of the Pictured Rocks cruise and tries to take it every year. Good web site with overview of the area, waterfalls, more.

An attractive alternative for some is to take a kayak tour of these famous cliffs. In a kayak, more stable than a canoe, you're low on the water and can quietly get right up to the massive cliffs and look up at rock sculpted and stained by centuries of wind and waves. Even on a calm day, a kayak allows one to feel exposed to the power of this greatest of all lakes. Based on a 2003 experience, we recommend the kayak tour only for fit people. Kayakers carry their craft down a somewhat steep slope to the water.

Pictured Rock Boat Cruises leave from the City Pier in downtown Munising from Friday before Memorial Day thru October 10, weather permitting. There's more wind and more cruise cancellations in fall. From M-28, turn north toward the lake on Elm at the four-corners, by the bank time and temperature sign. (906) 387-2379 or 1-800-650-2375.

Call for times of spring and fall cruises. Cruises leave ____ times daily from July thru late August, always at 9 and 5, hourly from 11 to 4.

Sunset cruise from August 8 through Labor Day: leaves at 6:30 p.m.

2006 cost: Adults $30, children 6-12 $13, ages 5 and under free. Ask about group rates. (Rates may go up with fuel prices.) Wheelchair-accessible. Dog kennels available free of charge. Reservations accepted.

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