Eloping at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in Munising, MI

Michigan is a beautiful state, but there are some special locations which stand out. Pictured Rocks is one area which rivals coastlines all around the US, and makes it the #1 best place to elope in Michigan. If you plan on eloping at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

About the Area and Eloping at Pictured Rocks

The upper peninsula of Michigan is a wild, diverse landscape with stone beaches, sand dunes, dense forests and rocky cliffs. Beautiful Lake Superior outlines the northern coast, with Canada lying on the other shore. Lake Superior is the source of much native folklore, and her deep, cold and treacherous currents have buried ships and captains alike who underestimated her power. The coastline along Lake Superior should not be underestimated - it’s as beautiful in summer and fall as national parks like Acadia or Big Sur. It’s a hidden gem, smack in a difficult to access region of the midwest.

The rocky vertical cliffs of Pictured Rocks stretch a 15 mile span along 42 miles of park shoreline, beginning at the city of Munising, Michigan. It’s 42 miles of sandy beach, pebbled shores, cascading waterfalls and rainbow colored cliffs. Lake Superior’s cold, clean freshwater glows a deep navy blue and turquoise on sunny days. It’s the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface - so large, it creates its own weather and climate for the area.

Locals and tourists alike pass the summers boating, cliff jumping and kayaking the water. In winter, you can even attend the U.S.’s oldest ice climbing festival here.

The amount of pure wilderness, hiking, camping and outdoor recreation here make it a unique place for Michigan adventure elopements. Eloping at pictured rocks is a great fit for couples who feel their best outdoors in the elements.

What kind of couples is a Pictured Rocks elopement best for?

If you and your partner are a Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Indiana, Ohio or Illinois based couple, Pictured Rocks is a great place to elope. It’s not only incredibly beautiful, but it’s close. Rather than driving or flying across the U.S. to expensive locations like California or Florida, Michigan summers have a lot to offer right at home.

Couples who love being outdoors will have a lot of fun eloping at Pictured Rocks. The popularity of camping in the area makes it great for family trips and or renting out a cabin with the whole crew.

Best time of year for eloping at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:

Generally, the best time for eloping at Pictured Rocks is summer or fall. In the months of July and August, both air and water temperatures become warm enough for swimming.

In fall, the colors of the dense forests begin to change. Although lesser known, viewing fall colors here is equal to if not even more impressive than in the north east.

From late November to early May, the area is cold, wet and dark. December to early March, however, are good months for wintry elopements.

What can we do while eloping at Pictured Rocks?

It is dependent on weather, water conditions and the season, but here are some really great ideas for your Michigan elopement day:

In summer:

Book a cruise or boat tour
Hike on the hundreds of miles of trail
Spot some infamous Lake Superior shipwrecks
Camping
Kayaking
Swimming
Diving
Picnic on 12 Mile Beach

In winter:

Go ice climbing
Visit the Grand Island Ice Caves
Snowmobile
Snow shoe
Cross country ski
Hike

Short hikes to do during your Pictured Rocks elopement (one mile or less):

There are literally hundreds of miles of trails in the area. If you want to hike on your elopement day, the Pictured Rocks area has options for all lengths of hikes.

MUNISING FALLS: an in and out trail to the falls, 800 feet one way.
SABLE FALLS TRAIL: a half mile round trip hike to the beach with many stairs. Leashed pets are allowed.
SAND POINT MARSH TRAIL: a half mile loop trail through an accessible wetland. This trail is wheelchair accessible but pets are NOT allowed.
LOG SLIDE OVERLOOK TRAIL: a quarter mile round trip overlook hike. You’ll have views of the lake, nearby dunes and the Au Sable Lighthouse as well. Pets are NOT allowed.
LITTLE BEAVER NATURE TRAIL: a 1 mile loop trail. Pets are NOT allowed.
MINERS CASTLE OVERLOOK: the length of this trail varies depending on where you start and which viewpoint you go to. It’s 200 to 1300 feet one way. It is the most popular area of the park, so plan your visit in the early morning. Leashed pets are allowed on paved areas and the two upper viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible.

Longer hikes for your Pictured Rocks elopement:

MINER’S FALLS TRAIL: 1.2 mile round trip hike to Miner’s River and the 50 foot waterfall. Leased pets are allowed.
AU SABLE LIGHT STATION TRAIL: 3 mile round trip hike to the lighthouse with views of shipwrecks along the shoreline.
BEAVER BASIN WILDERNESS LOOP: a 5.5 mile loop trail through thick forests along the north side of Beaver Lake and Beaver Creek. You’ll connect back to the North Country Scenic Trail near Lake Superior as well. Note that pets are NOT allowed in this entire area.

For a complete list of hikes and parking information for the area, visit the NPS website here.

Can our dog come with us to our Pictured Rocks Lakeshore elopement?

In some listed locations yes, but do be aware your dog must always be leashed. Here is a list of areas where dogs are explicitly allowed (source NPS.gov):

All Roads, Parking Lots, and Picnic Areas
Sand Point Beaches
Munising Falls Trail
Miners Falls Trail
Miners Castle - Paved Trails, Overlook Platforms
Miners Beach
Au Sable Access Road to the Light Station
Lake Superior Overlook and Beach
Sable Falls Trail and Beach
Twelvemile Beach and Hurricane River Drive-In Campgrounds
Lake Superior beaches directly in front of campground and day-use areas

Where can we stay when eloping at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore and Munising, Michigan?

The nearby city of Munising has a lot of options. You can stay in hotels, or opt for Airbnbs and cabins. Most hotels in the area are 2-3 star accommodations, so keep that in mind as you’re searching.

Here are some great places for you and your guests to relax:

Pictured Rocks Cabins - just outside Munising near the Pictured Rocks Golf Club. Great for those who want lots of shared space for many guests and access to fire pits.
Hiawatha’s Vacation Homes - just outside of Munising along the water. These larger vacation rentals are perfect for groups who want to gather before, during and/or after your elopement
Roam Inn - located in downtown Munising
Beach Inn - located on the water