Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit
Backcountry camping is open year-round with permits required for all overnight stays. Reservations open on a 6-month rolling window through Recreation.gov. Permits must be printed before your trip and secured visibly to your tent. Current spring conditions are favorable with winter ski trail grooming concluded.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 3:02PM EDT until July 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values between 98 to 105. * WHERE...Portions of central Upper and western Upper Michigan. * WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT /9 PM CDT/ this evening. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
Air Quality Alert issued July 14 at 10:41AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday July 15, 2026 for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with the potential for Unhealthy, especially north. This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert. Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires are expected to move into the region this week. The plumes will reach the Upper Peninsula this evening, sinking into the northern Lower Peninsula overnight. Models are showing the smoke plumes will reach the Michigan/Indiana border Wednesday evening. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing,coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as outdoor burning or use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: Michigan.gov/MiAir For fup-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke. Air Quality Alert Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy July 14 2026
About
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore hugs Michigan's Upper Peninsula shoreline for over 40 miles, where Lake Superior has carved dramatic multicolored sandstone cliffs rising 50-200 feet from the water. The backcountry system includes 14 designated campgrounds with approximately 72 sites positioned at 2-5 mile intervals along the Lakeshore Trail, which forms part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Hikers and paddlers encounter forests, sand dunes, beaches, waterfalls, and panoramic cliff-top views. This is entirely primitive camping. Each backcountry campground has bear-proof food storage lockers and community fire rings (fires prohibited at Mosquito River and Chapel Beach campgrounds). No potable water exists along the trails; campers must filter or boil water from streams, inland lakes, or Lake Superior. All trash must be packed out. Individual sites accommodate 1-6 people with a maximum of 3 tents or hammocks; group sites handle 7-20 people with up to 10 tents. Permits are required year-round for all overnight trips and must be reserved through Recreation.gov. The permit must be printed and visibly secured to your tent. Campers are limited to 3 consecutive nights at any single campground and 14 total nights per calendar year across the lakeshore. Cell service is unavailable in most areas. Private shuttle services operate for point-to-point hiking.
Directions
Access backcountry campgrounds by hiking or kayaking only. West side access via M-28 and M-94 to Munising. East side access via M-77 to Grand Marais. Alger County Road H-58 runs through park providing trailhead access.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | No |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| piro_information@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (906) 387-3700 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
Availability
Photos
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