Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trips

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2024 Update

We will not be leading any tours in 2024 and do not know when or if we will resume operations in 2025.

Good information about planning for backpacking Pictured Rocks can be found at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Website using THIS LINK.

If you have a question about backpacking in the area please drop us an e-mail and we’ll do our best to respond to help you out.

Thank you for your understanding!

Domonick & Carolyn

Pictured Rocks is one of the most beautiful places on the Lake Superior shoreline. With towering red sandstone cliffs, miles of sandy beaches, and beautiful trails that skirt the impressive Lake Superior shoreline, Pictured Rocks is a backpacker’s paradise.

Our Pictured Rocks backpacking trips explore the best sandstone rock formations, waterfalls, sandy beaches, and inland lakes that this distinct geological area has to offer.

Our trips are focused on teaching the fundamentals of backpacking in a relaxed and fun environment.

All tours come with a 2-hr virtual class prior to the trip to discuss backpacking fundamentals such as:

Backcountry ethics and safety
Lightweight backpacking principles and gear selection
Food, meal plans, cooking and water filtration
Map and navigation

During the hike, under guide direction, you will learn how to become independent in the backcountry, practicing how to:

Use a stove to cook meals
Filter your own water out of lakes and streams
Set-up camp
Use a map and compass to navigate trails
Manage minor injuries like cuts and blisters
Backpack in wet weather
and so much more!

The tour price includes:

Breakfast and dinners
A shuttle within the park to the start of the hike
Permits and campsite reservations
Lightweight gear rentals (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats)
Cookware and water filtration (pot, stove, fuel, spoon, water filter)

All tours begin at our Headquarters on the beautiful Au Train River 10 miles west of Munising the Friday evening before the start of the hike. We hold an information session to go over logistics, distribute food and gear, provide gear packing advice, and give the opportunity to meet your guides and fellow hikers. Dinner is provided.

Plan to camp on our property the night before or reserve your own accommodations in nearby Munising. By the end of Friday night guests will be prepared for an early AM start the following morning.

Tour Offerings

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1) Intro to Backpacking Trip

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Tour Dates

Virtual Classroom – Backpacking Fundamentals

Rates

Intro Tour Price: $575 (2022)
$100 deposit required (per person), please call us at 419-705-9722.

Distance

29 miles over 3-days, 2-nights (Day One: 9 miles, Day Two: 7 miles, Day Three: 12 miles)

Physical Intensity

Low to Moderate intensity. Guests should be performing training hikes before the trip and be confident in hiking a 12 mile day with a backpack.

Overview

Our Intro tour provides a space for individuals who are new to backpacking to learn the fundamentals over a more relaxed itinerary.
We explore beaches, rivers, inland lakes, and the iconic sandstone cliffs that give Pictured Rocks its name.
A 2-hr virtual class is held beforehand on backpacking fundamentals. Guests are highly encouraged to attend the class. If you cannot make it, a recording will be available to view.
Breakfast and dinners are included for the hike, but guests must bring their own food for lunches and snacks. Resources to help develop a meal plan will be covered in the class.
Guests are required to carry their own pot, stove and water filter (these are available to rent at no extra cost). Guides will provide instruction on how to use equipment.
Backpack, sleeping bags, mats and tents are available to rent and included in tour price.

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2) Intermediate Backpacking Trip

Date

Rates

Intermediate Tour Price: $725 (2022)
If you would only like to make a $100 deposit (per person), please call us at 419-705-9722.

Virtual Classroom – Backpacking Fundamentals

Virtual Classroom – Trip Planning, Maps and GPS Fundamentals

Distance

42 miles over 4-days, 3-nights (Day one: 7 miles, Day Two: 11 miles, Day Three: 12 miles, Day Four: 12 miles)

Physical intensity

This tour is more physically demanding compared to the Intro tour. Guests will be hiking 4 days in a row, averaging 12 miles per day. This trip is great for already active individuals who want to get into backpacking. This is a moderately challenging trip.

Overview

This tour is an end-to-end hike of Pictured Rocks and you will see everything we see in our Intro itinerary, with the addition of sand dunes, more waterfalls, inland lakes, and the Au Sable historic lighthouse.
A 2-hr virtual class is provided beforehand to teach backpacking fundamentals. Guests are highly encouraged to attend the class. If you cannot make it to the class, a recording will be available for you to view.
A separate 1-hr virtual class is provided to go in-depth on trip planning, map building, and GPS use. Guests will learn how to make their own maps and GPS tracks using CalTopo mapping software, import/export files onto their smartphones, and learn how to use the GaiaGPS app.
Breakfast and dinners are included on the hike, but guests must bring their own food for lunches and snacks. Resources to develop a meal plan will be covered in the class.
Guests are required to carry their own pot, stove and water filter (available to rent at no extra cost). Guides provide instruction on how to use the equipment.
Backpacks, sleeping bags, mats, and tents are available to rent and included in tour price.

Additional Information

Visit our Information Page to learn more about the services that are provided on all of our overnight trips, including logistics, food, gear, cancellation policy and acknowledgement of risk form.

Visit our our How to Backpack column to read articles about getting in shape for hiking, shoe selection, what’s in our guides backpacks, hiking in wet weather, and much more.

Please Click Here to learn more about your guides!

Please feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions!

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