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Sea Kayaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Trip # 105


Kayaking along the shoreline at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an experience that you will not want to miss if you have the opportunity. This is arguably the most beautiful shoreline in the United States. Crystal clear water in the largest freshwater lake in the world. Sandstone Cliffs of beautiful reddish and orange hues rise vertically out of the shoreline nearly 200 ft. Ride the swells as you can hear the waves crashing into these rocks carving beautiful caves, arches, and Natural carvings that the early explorers of this region used for landmarks over 200 years ago. Paddle the same water as the Voyageurs, Trappers, and Geologists, Native Americans, and Trappers did as a resident population slowly came to the Upper Peninsula during the Fur Trading, and exploration eras.

We had been told of the variety in the color and form of these rocks, but were wholly unprepared to encounter the surprising groups of overhanging precipices, towering walls, caverns, waterfalls... mingled in the most wonderful disorder."
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 1820
Indian Agent and Wilderness Scholar

The cliffs are most prominent along the shoreline of Lake Superior between Sand Point and Little Beaver Lake, a stretch of 15 miles. In some areas the cliffs rise some 200 feet above the lake.
The name "Pictured Rocks" is due to the pictures that seem to appear on the rocks from the multicolored sandstone and mineral stains on the rock surface. The cliffs are composed of Cambrian Sandstone, dating back about 500 million years. The stains on the sandstone are caused by water running down the cliffs filled with oxides of copper, manganese, iron, and organic minerals.
You will want to allow about 6 hours for this trip and of course it is very weather dependant based on the sea conditions. Departing from Sand Point you can slip up beside the towering cliffs, explore caves, pull under water seeps, and explore the multi-colored details of the shoreline bedrock. paddling past Sand Point, the towering Miner’s Castle, the intriguing Painted Coves and the alluring Caves of the Bloody Chiefs at Mosquito River.

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced.
Minimum 2 paddlers required/9 maximum. Tag Alongs welcome $75. Reservations required.

Trip Itinerary
Note: These are estimated times only. The itinerary can be adjusted as necessary.

Meet Pictured Rocks Visitor Center 9:30 AM
Safety and Instructional 9:30 - 10:00 briefing
Paddling 10:00 - 12:00
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00
Paddling 1:00 - 3:00
Debrief and Load-up 3:00 - 3:30
We recommend the kayakers are within the minimum and maximum weight ranges of 80-250 lbs.

Value Cost: $125 per person, $100 per person 16 yrs old and under

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