I’ve mentioned before that I like camping. There are many wonderful places to camp in Michigan and even though I’ve only been once, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is pretty much my favorite (Wilderness State Park is a close second). You see, Pictured Rocks is in the Upper Peninsula. Actually, it’s on the northern edge of the U.P. For people not from Michigan, what this means is that it is a full day’s drive for almost everyone in the state. Because it takes so long to get there, not a lot of people bother going. After all, we have so many lakes and rivers in the Lower Peninsula that it seems silly to drive so far, especially if you only have a couple of days to get away.
Ugh, so silly to drive over eight (8!!) course to get to Pictured Rocks. It’s not like there are miles of soft sand beaches flanked by pine trees and birches. You certainly can’t hear loons calling to each other at dusk and daybreak. And Lake Superior definitely doesn’t sound like the ocean as its waves hit the beach.
When I visited, I camped at Twelvemile Beach. There are very few amenities there. By “very few” I mean this: there are outhouses (or “vault toilets”). I recommend bringing your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, since there is no guarantee that either will be available. You’ll want to also bring in your own drinking water. Oh, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to reserve a spot in the generator-free loop of the campground. It’s so much quieter there.
Oh, but what is there to do up there in the middle of all this wilderness? Well, you can drive to Munising and take a cruise on Lake Superior. Actually, you really should. After all, even though the shoreline is beautiful, you can’t really understand how the Pictured Rocks got their name if you never see them from the water.
While in Munising, you can stop at Falling Rock Cafe for a some food. Or coffee. Or books. Heck, you can even listen to some live music there! This isn’t just a tourist trap; it’s popular with the locals, too. The people there are incredibly friendly.
Finally – if you go to Pictured Rocks, you simply must (MUST!!!) stop at least once to get smoked whitefish from one of the many roadside places that sell it. Seriously. Freshly smoked whitefish is one of the best things you will ever eat. Bonus flavor if eaten next to a campfire by Lake Superior.
So that is why Pictured Rocks is my favorite place to camp. Excuse me, I need to go plan another trip there.
