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Munising, Michigan Parks, Trails, Pictured Rocks, Attractions & More





The Munising area is a nature lover's paradise. With the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island National Recreation Area only a short distance away, beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities abound.

Bike Routes

Cyclists can use a wide-shoulder along M-28 to ride from Munising to Marquette. The route is approximately 43 miles and offers beautiful views of Lake Superior. Be sure to obey traffic laws and keep alert when riding on the shoulder next to the road.

A shorter route for cyclists goes the east on M-28 to Munising Avenue/H-58 to Munising Falls and Sand Point, which is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. From the M-28 and H-58 intersection in Munising, it's approximately 6 miles to Sand Point. The route uses a paved shoulder for part of the way, and for the rest, cyclists should ride along the far edge of the road (if you're riding north, be on the far right edge of the north-bound lane). When Munising Avenue meets Washington Street, angle left and follow Washington Street north. The entrance and parking lot for Munising Falls will be on the right side of the road. To ride to Sand Point, continue north on Sand Point Road from the parking lot for Munising Falls.

Hiking Trails

A short, scenic hiking route near Munising is the trail at the Munising Falls area in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. From the edge of the parking lot, it's a little over 800 feet to the waterfall. The trail follows the curvy path of a gentle flowing stream and ends at the Munising Falls.

Hikers can experience many of the natural wonders in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore using the Lakeshore Trail. The hiking trail starts in the wooded area near the restrooms for Munising Falls and goes north to Sand Point. On the Lakeshore Trail, you can hike all of the way to Grand Marais, which is approximately 30 miles away. There are campgrounds adjacent to the Lakeshore Trail, which has nice views of Lake Superior, Miners Castle, Spray Falls, Au Sable Light Station, and Grand Sable Dunes. During the summer, it's a good idea to bring insect repellent with you in case you need it when using the trail.

Part of the North Country Trail goes through Munising, but there isn't a clearly marked trail (dirt or otherwise). South of the Munising city limits, the trail is the shoulder of M-28, and there is no sidewalk in Munising until M-28 reaches Onata Street, which means you need to walk in the grass near the curb in some spots after you reach Munising's city limits. When M-28 meets H-58/Munising Avenue, the North Country Trail goes right (southeast) and follows the path of H-58. You'll need to walk on the shoulder of the road for the remainder of the trail to Munising Falls. When H-58 meets Washington Street, turn left onto Washington Street and go north to the Munising Falls parking lot. From this point the North Country Trail is the Lakeshore Trail while inside the park boundaries for the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. When the Lakeshore Trail reaches Grand Marais, the trail again becomes the North Country Trail.

Snowmobile Trails

During the winter, the Munising area is very popular with snowmobilers. Snow is in abundance during the wintertime, providing a great base for snowmobile trails which stretch for miles around the Upper Peninsula.

Between Munising and Grand Marais, there are several snowmobile trails through parts of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and a trail that goes east to Seney.

Munising Area Parks

Bayshore Park is the most scenic public park in Munising, providing a beautiful view of Munising Bay and the rolling hills that tower over the edges of the bay. During the fall when the leaves are aflame with color, the view is particularly striking.

Bayshore Park features a veteran's memorial, a small sandy beach, picnic shelter, gazebo and several picnic areas. A short paved trail winds through the park to the veteran's memorial and the marina.

Munising Bayshore Marina is open from mid-May through mid-October and features 10 transient slips and nine seasonal slips. Marina amenities include a boat launch, electricity (20, 30 and 50 amp), restrooms, showers, gasoline, pump out, ice, and long-term parking.

At the corner of Park and Varnum, Kid's Connection Playground has a large wooden playscape and swings.

Across the street from Alger Centennial Arena, there is a skate park with ramps and railings for skateboarding.

South of downtown, the Lynn Street Tot Lot has a large playground, tennis courts and basketball courts.

On the north side of town along M-28, Munising Bay City Park has a baseball diamond, restroom, and ample parking. The park also provides a recreational boat launch on Munising Bay. A short distance north of the park on Commercial Street, near the corner of M-28 and Portage Street, there is a large playground and a basketball court.

For a panoramic view of Munising Bay, Grand Island, and part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Grand Island Harbor Scenic Overlook Park is worth a visit, especially on a clear, sunny day. The park is north of downtown Munising on the south-side of M-28. From the parking lot, follow the short trail to an overlook deck for a spectacular view.

More About Munising

While hiking and biking can take you to many parts of the Pictured Rocks, one of the best ways to see the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is by boat. From mid-May through mid-October, the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise leaves at regular times from the Bayshore Marina, and the 2.5 to 3 hour boat tour on Lake Superior provides a breathtaking view of the Pictured Rocks. Be sure to pick a bright sunny day if possible when going on the cruise. The boat cruise in October is very colorful when the leaves are changing colors.

Another attraction in Munising is the the glass-bottom boat Shipwreck Tours. The two-hour tour provides a unique view of a shipwrecks near Munising, including the Herman H. Hettler and Bermuda.

Three lighthouses are in the Munising area. The Munising Front Range Lighthouse is located in an unexpected spot along M-28, near a residential area west of downtown. The 30-foot-tall white lighthouse tower is in between the American Legion Post and some houses on the north side of M-28. It was built in 1908. The Munising Rear Range Light stands 58 feet tall and is located uphill from the Front Range Lighthouse, at the end of Hickory Street. The third lighthouse in the Munising area is the Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse, which can be seen from Sand Point and by boat during the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise or Shipwreck Tour. The Grand Island Lighthouse is a wooden structure that dates back to 1868, and even though it is inactive, is very photogenic. Another lighthouse to see (not in Munising) is the Au Sable Light Station, which is located along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore about 20 miles from Munising.

Munising has several restaurants. Hardee's, Pizza Hut, Sydney's & Shark Bay Bar, Dog Patch, and Dairy Queen are located along M-28. Main Street Pizza is on the west side of Maple Street.

Lodging options near downtown Munising include Days Inn, Superior Motel, and Scotty's Motel. The Holiday Inn Express on M-28 has nice views of Munising Bay and Grand Island from the upper floors. Comfort Inn is located south of Munising on M-28.

Munising has several stores and specialty shops. Glen's Market and Snyder's Pharmacy is on M-28, near the Chamber of Commerce. Bob's Family Foods (IGA Grocery) and Ace Hardware are both located on Superior Avenue near downtown Munising.








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