Great Waters Lake Superior Trail Tour: Rugged Shores and Falling Water

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The Lake Superior Trail, Rugged Shores and Falling Water, will lead you on a quest inland through deep forests to the mighty Tahquamenon Falls or along the shore to secluded, historic lighthouses and the glorious cliff-side display at Pictured Rocks.
This tour showcases Lighthouses, Recreation Areas, Lakeshores, Water Falls, the Shipwreck Museum and the Soo Locks. 
 
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
PO Box 40
Munising, MI 49862-0040
Phone: (906) 387-3700
Multicolored sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, streams, forests and wildlife comprise this scenic area on Lake Superior. Activities include sightseeing, camping, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking, boating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, a maritime museum, a lighthouse and a visitor's center. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stands out among the rest as having a reputation for being one of the most spectacular parks to give ice climbing a go — whether you are a novice or an experienced climber. Dogs on a leash no longer than six feet are allowed on Miners Beach.

Munising Falls Visitor Center
1505 Sand Point Road
PO Box 40
Munising, MI 49862
Phone: (906) 387-4310
Features displays on the rich natural and cultural history of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Exhibits on early iron smelting, geology, forest history, rare and endangered species, logging and recreation portray the diversity of our nation's first national lakeshore. The center also includes a small bookstore. Open June through Labor Day. At Munising Falls, there is a paved trail to several overlooks, wayside exhibits, restrooms, and access to the North Country Trail National Scenic Trail.
 
Grand Sable Banks and Dunes
Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore
PO Box 40
Munising, MI 49862
Phone: (906) 387-3700
Located about one mile west Grand Marais; the best place to view is from the trail beginning at the Sable Falls parking area. Another access point for the dunes is from the North Country Trail, one-quarter mile east of the Log Slide. Please stay on the trail as the dunes vegetation is fragile. Five square miles of Grand Sable Dunes are perched atop the 300-foot high Grand Sable Banks. Left by enormous glaciers, the Grand Sable Dunes dwarf comprehension. A portion of the Grand Sable Dunes is set aside as a Research Natural Area.
 
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 West M-123
Paradise, MI 49768
Reservations: (800) 447-2757
Phone: (906) 492-3415
One of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, the Upper Falls has a drop of nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. Four miles downstream is the Lower Falls, a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. Winter offers opportunity for snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing with miles of marked trails. Four campgrounds with modern & rustic campsites. Tahquamenon Fall State Park has more than 40 miles of hiking trails, 13 inland lakes, 24 miles of the Tahquamenon River and approximately 20,000 acres of natural area. Ask about the Tahquamenon Fall Lodge.
 
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum & Whitefish Point Light Station
18335 North Whitefish Point Road
PO Box 291
Paradise, MI 49768
Reservations: (906) 492-3747
Toll Free: (888) 492-3747
Phone: (906) 635-1742
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, located at Michigan’s Whitefish Point Light-Station, is approximately 1.5 hours drive from the Mackinac Bridge. With more than 200 shipwrecks lying in the immediate vicinity, the area is known as Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast. The museum features top quality exhibits of shipwreck artifacts, artwork, shipwreck models, new exhibits and lifelike mannequins. We offer a series of maritime history programs featured throughout the season. Admission includes the Shipwreck Museum gallery, a 15-minute video and tour(s) of the restored 1861 Lightkeeper’s Quarters and the 1923 Lifeboat Station Surfboat House. The bell of the famous steamer Edmund Fitzgerald is on display and serves as a memorial to her crew. The famous Whitefish Point Light Tower is open for tours, with all fees benefiting its restoration. The museum is open every day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 to October 31. Overnight lodging is available in the 1923 restored Coast Guard Lifesaving Crew’s Quarters. The Crew's Quarters is open April 1st through November 10th. Special discounted rates during April and May. Included with your Crew's Quarters overnight stay is admission to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station and a 10% discount in the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point!
 
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
12942 West Lakeshore Drive
Brimley, MI 49715
Phone: (906) 437-5272
This lighthouse was first illuminated in 1857 and it's fourth order Fresnel lens shone over one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world from the entrance to the St. Mary's River and the Soo Locks. The 65 ft. tower is open to the public during certain viewing hours or from top of the sandy shoreline.
 
Soo Locks
Portage Avenue
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 253-9290
The Soo Locks have been referred to as one of the great wonders of the world and are still the largest & one of the busiest waterway traffic systems on earth! Watching huge vessels pass through the Locks is a unique experience that cannot be seen anywhere else in the United States! The Locks consist of two canals and four locks that allow vessels of many types/sizes to safely traverse the 21-foot drop in elevation of the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lakes Michigan and Huron. From viewing decks, you can watch "Lakers" and "Salties" (ocean-going vessels) as they travel the seaway between ports and navigate the rise/drop of the water levels. The Soo Locks Park Visitors Center, open from 9am - 9pm mid-May thru mid-October each year. We also have schedules of arriving vessels along with general information.