Epic cliffs, endless hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, and wide open water views. Doesn’t that sound perfect? Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the surreal destination of Pictured Rocks exists just a mere five hours from Madison. Whether you are an avid outdoors person or someone who just likes to tan on the beach, Pictured Rocks is the close-by vacation destination for you.
Spring and summer are definitely the most popular (and busy) times of year to go and visit this area. There are beautiful beaches for those of you who love to take in the sun and relax all day. Additionally, there are long and short trails that provide beautiful vistas for any level of hiker. One of my favorite activities is taking a boat out on Lake Superior to see the rocks from a distance. Whether you want to take out a kayak or a tour boat, you’ll be able to see why Pictured Rocks is, in fact, called Pictured Rocks.
While summertime in Pictured Rocks will always have a place in my heart, my favorite time to visit this area is during the fall months. During this time, the crowds are much smaller on the weekends and the bugs have all but disappeared. You can hike longer distances in cooler temperatures and witness gorgeous fall colors on the cliffs. If you enjoy camping or backpacking, temperatures are perfect for bonfires and hot chocolate without freezing at night.
While I have yet to personally visit Pictured Rocks during the winter, I know that they have epic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails to enjoy for those of you who don’t mind bundling up. Whether you want to relax on the shore or summit the cliffs, Pictured Rocks could be your next perfect weekend getaway.