Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permit
Open — Open year-round with permits required for all overnight backcountry trips. Reservations available via 6-month rolling window through Recreation.gov. Water systems and toilets at drive-in facilities shut down after mid-October. Winter access via snowshoe or ski only; most park roads unplowed.
From Recreation.gov
On July 21, 2025 at 10:00 am ET Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Backcountry Camping Permits will begin releasing on a 6 month rolling window. On July 21, 2025 reservations for January 21, 2026 availability and any earlier January dates will become available. Beginning on July 22, 2025 permit reservations with a check-in date of January 22, 2026 will be available for booking.
Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice
The Munising Falls Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is closed until further notice. Approximately 75-feet of the paved trail was washed out April 28th from recent heavy rainfall and seasonal snow melt.
Flood Watch issued April 12 at 12:11PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Heavy rain may fall on a deep primed snowpack leading to the melt increasing. Flows in rivers may increase quickly and reach critical levels. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central Upper and western Upper Michigan, including the following areas, in central Upper Michigan, Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Luce, Marquette, Menominee, Northern Schoolcraft and Southern Schoolcraft. In western Upper Michigan, Gogebic, Keweenaw, Northern Houghton, Ontonagon and Southern Houghton. * WHEN...Through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's backcountry camping system provides access to primitive wilderness camping along Lake Superior's rugged coastline. The park offers 14 designated backcountry campgrounds positioned at 2-5 mile intervals along the Lakeshore Trail, part of the North Country National Scenic Trail system. These remote campgrounds are accessible only by hiking or kayaking, offering solitude and stunning views of sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and forest. Each campground contains numbered individual campsites for groups of 1-6 people with a maximum of 2 tents or hammocks, plus designated group sites for 7-20 people with up to 10 tents. Campers must stay within 15 feet of their assigned numbered post and follow their permit itinerary. The permit system operates on a 6-month rolling reservation window and requires a reservation fee plus per-person, per-night camping fee. Permits must be printed and visibly secured to tents at campsites. Winter backcountry camping is permitted year-round at the same designated sites, though conditions are challenging. After mid-October, water systems and toilets at drive-in facilities are shut down. Winter campers access sites by snowshoe or ski through deep snow, and most park roads except Sand Point Road remain unplowed. Some roads become designated snowmobile trails December 1 through March 31. Winter camping requires careful preparation as the park has reduced staffing and extended emergency response times during winter months.
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
- Trappers Lake Individual Backpacking Sites 1.8mi
- Trappers Lake Group Backpacking Site 1.8mi
- Pine Bluff Individual Backpacking Sites 2.0mi
- Lowney Creek Individual Backpacking Sites 1.7mi
- Lowney Creek Group Backpacking Site 1.9mi
- Beaver Creek Individual Backpacking Sites 2.4mi
- Little Beaver Campground 2.7mi
- Coves Individual Backpacking Sites 3.2mi
- Sevenmile Creek Individual Backpacking Sites 4.5mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $5 |
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 |
Availability
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