Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit

I love this place soooooooooo much!!! I hadn’t been in years but went two weeks ago to do the loop that goes to chapel rock, mosquito beach, and out. It ended up being about 12 miles and it truly is stunning. We didn’t have an issue with parking and the trail was quite empty, as it was early/mid November. We were worried the access road would be closed because that’s what Google warned us but it w... I love this place soooooooooo much!!! I hadn’t been in years but went two weeks ago to do the loop that goes to chapel rock, mosquito beach, and out. It ended up being about 12 miles and it truly is stunning. We didn’t have an issue with parking and the trail was quite empty, as it was early/mid November. We were worried the access road would be closed because that’s what Google warned us but it was wide open. Truly stunning and divinely perfect. Take water and salty snacks.

The Chapel Rock / Chapel lake loop is possibly the best hike in Michigan for beautiful, panoramic views. Only two other hikes ( that I'm aware of) can come close to this for sheer beauty: The Escarpment trail at Lake of the Clouds and the Empire Bluffs trail at Sleeping Bear. I would suggest bringing Bear spray on this hike, along with a first aid kit. ( I saw a bear!) The trail conditions are tr... The Chapel Rock / Chapel lake loop is possibly the best hike in Michigan for beautiful, panoramic views. Only two other hikes ( that I'm aware of) can come close to this for sheer beauty: The Escarpment trail at Lake of the Clouds and the Empire Bluffs trail at Sleeping Bear. I would suggest bringing Bear spray on this hike, along with a first aid kit. ( I saw a bear!) The trail conditions are treacherous at times, especially the hikes in and out to the coast. But, once you get to the cliffs, it is almost a dreamlike walk. Be mindful of your whereabouts, as you can literally walk off any given cliff. Trail condition are better along the cliffs. The parking lot was overflowing with vehicles in late August, and I had to park about a quarter of a mile down the road and begin the 11 mile loop. Oddly enough, the trails were virtually empty, until you get to the campgrounds and cliffs. My return hike past beautiful Chapel lake was about a 2 hour solo trek and I did not encounter a single person until I approached the parking lot. You can definitely feel isolated out there, and don't plan on having internet service anywhere in the area. Happy trails!

The Chapel Rock / Chapel lake loop is possibly the best hike in Michigan for beautiful, panoramic views. Only two other hikes ( that I'm aware of) can come close to this for sheer beauty: The Escarpment trail at Lake of the Clouds and the Empire Bluffs trail at Sleeping Bear. I would suggest bringing Bear spray on this hike, along with a first aid kit. ( I saw a bear!) The trail conditions are tr... The Chapel Rock / Chapel lake loop is possibly the best hike in Michigan for beautiful, panoramic views. Only two other hikes ( that I'm aware of) can come close to this for sheer beauty: The Escarpment trail at Lake of the Clouds and the Empire Bluffs trail at Sleeping Bear. I would suggest bringing Bear spray on this hike, along with a first aid kit. ( I saw a bear!) The trail conditions are treacherous at times, especially the hikes in and out to the coast. But, once you get to the cliffs, it is almost a dreamlike walk. Be mindful of your whereabouts, as you can literally walk off any given cliff. Trail condition are better along the cliffs. The parking lot was overflowing with vehicles in late August, and I had to park about a quarter of a mile down the road and begin the 11 mile loop. Oddly enough, the trails were virtually empty, until you get to the campgrounds and cliffs. My return hike past beautiful Chapel lake was about a 2 hour solo trek and I did not encounter a single person until I approached the parking lot. You can definitely feel isolated out there, and don't plan on having internet service anywhere in the area. Happy trails!

Chapel Falls, Rock (a tree on a rock!), and Beach...all beautiful but the trail is difficult for anyone with mobility issues (81 yo mother with foot drop/brace). She managed to do the full 6.3 mi loop but was much more than we planned. Got to falls and thought we made it this far..lets see the view,rock, etc. Limited signage along trail cause confusion in spots and zero trail markers, only maybe... Chapel Falls, Rock (a tree on a rock!), and Beach...all beautiful but the trail is difficult for anyone with mobility issues (81 yo mother with foot drop/brace). She managed to do the full 6.3 mi loop but was much more than we planned. Got to falls and thought we made it this far..lets see the view,rock, etc. Limited signage along trail cause confusion in spots and zero trail markers, only maybe 3 signs on entire trail. Note that trail to left for Chapel beach is far easier than to the right. Took us 6 hrs to complete (incl some beach time)..maybe half for anyone at a better speed. Definitely gorgeous and the beach offers a great spot to take a dip

Chapel Falls, Rock (a tree on a rock!), and Beach...all beautiful but the trail is difficult for anyone with mobility issues (81 yo mother with foot drop/brace). She managed to do the full 6.3 mi loop but was much more than we planned. Got to falls and thought we made it this far..lets see the view,rock, etc. Limited signage along trail cause confusion in spots and zero trail markers, only maybe... Chapel Falls, Rock (a tree on a rock!), and Beach...all beautiful but the trail is difficult for anyone with mobility issues (81 yo mother with foot drop/brace). She managed to do the full 6.3 mi loop but was much more than we planned. Got to falls and thought we made it this far..lets see the view,rock, etc. Limited signage along trail cause confusion in spots and zero trail markers, only maybe 3 signs on entire trail. Note that trail to left for Chapel beach is far easier than to the right. Took us 6 hrs to complete (incl some beach time)..maybe half for anyone at a better speed. Definitely gorgeous and the beach offers a great spot to take a dip

As someone who’s lived in Los Angeles for 11 years, I can vouch that, at least in the summer, you won’t be able to tell the difference between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean. Whole area has pristine turquoise blue water and something for everyone. Long trails for serious hikers, easy viewing platforms for families or those doing a sightseeing road trip, and incredible beaches too. I drove up... As someone who’s lived in Los Angeles for 11 years, I can vouch that, at least in the summer, you won’t be able to tell the difference between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean. Whole area has pristine turquoise blue water and something for everyone. Long trails for serious hikers, easy viewing platforms for families or those doing a sightseeing road trip, and incredible beaches too. I drove up Miners Castle Road to miners falls and and also hiked around miners beach and mosquito beach, honestly you can skip the falls unless you have small children, there are many other better and less crowded falls in the area and in the UP in general. Don’t skip miners beach! Incredible place, please go!

As someone who’s lived in Los Angeles for 11 years, I can vouch that, at least in the summer, you won’t be able to tell the difference between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean. Whole area has pristine turquoise blue water and something for everyone. Long trails for serious hikers, easy viewing platforms for families or those doing a sightseeing road trip, and incredible beaches too. I drove up... As someone who’s lived in Los Angeles for 11 years, I can vouch that, at least in the summer, you won’t be able to tell the difference between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean. Whole area has pristine turquoise blue water and something for everyone. Long trails for serious hikers, easy viewing platforms for families or those doing a sightseeing road trip, and incredible beaches too. I drove up Miners Castle Road to miners falls and and also hiked around miners beach and mosquito beach, honestly you can skip the falls unless you have small children, there are many other better and less crowded falls in the area and in the UP in general. Don’t skip miners beach! Incredible place, please go!