Painted Rock Shoreline | The Scenic Ceiling East of the Mississippi River

🌊In various travel and outdoor circles, the Eastern United States and the Midwest are often looked down upon and despised. Admittedly, when it comes to famous mountains and rivers, the Eastern United States and the Midwest are indeed not as impressive as the West Coast and the Rocky Mountains. However, the Eastern United States, which boasts the Great Lakes, also has world-class scenery to offer. Today's recommended place is the best natural scenery east of the Mississippi River in my heart: Pictured Rock National Lakeshore located in Munising, Michigan Upper Peninsula. ⭐When it comes to the scenery of Northern Michigan, most people think of the dazzling autumn colors. However, the scenery of Pictured Rock Lake Shore does not need the embellishment of autumn colors to look good. The clear and turquoise waters of Lake Superior, the various natural arches to the water-eroded caves, have different shapes, such as the "Elephant Trunk Mountain." More than ten meters high sandstone lake shores naturally form various patterns, which are extremely beautiful under the irradiation of the setting sun. 🌏October is the best time of the year in the North Woods, but if you only go to Pictured Rock Lake Shore, you can also enjoy a fulfilling two or three days in the summer. The beauty here does not need the addition of autumn colors. 📅 Below is the strategy time: ✈️ Transportation: Pictured Rock Lake Shore is located in Munising, Michigan Upper Peninsula, which is very far from big cities. It takes 6-7 hours to drive from Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, and other places. If time is tight, you can fly to Milwaukee (4.5h) or Green Bay (3h), and the prices are still reasonable. Closer small airports include Marquette and Escanaba, which are less than two hours' drive away, but the prices are usually more expensive. There are three ways to play at Pictured Rock Lake Shore: taking a boat to watch the cliffs, rowing into the caves, and hiking on the cliffs to enjoy the scenery. All three perspectives are recommended. 🚣‍♂️ Rowing: There are many Kayak tours in Michigan, lasting from 2 hours to 8 hours, allowing you to observe caves and arches up close. 🚶‍♀️ Hiking: Chapel Loop is about 10 miles long, which is my favorite trail in the Midwest. It sounds very long, but the altitude change is not significant. Walking counterclockwise, first walk 3 miles to the lakeside, then walk along the lakeside, taking pictures, and along the cliffs, there are various viewpoints, you can also go down to the lakeside, the scenery is extremely beautiful, and finally walk 3 miles back, if you don't rush, it takes about 5 hours to walk around. 🛳️ Cruise: The sunset cruise operated by Pictured Rock Cruises is the most unforgettable way to visit here. The boat will see various caves and arches, as well as the unique patterns on the cliffs. Lake Superior is vast and boundless, and at sunset, the cliffs are illuminated into golden and red colors, which is an excellent time for photography. 📸 In Figure 5, the Miners Castle Rock viewpoint can be reached by car, which is one of the landmarks of Pictured Rock Lake Shore. In Figure 6, Kitch-iti-kipi, known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou" of the North Woods, is a natural spring eye located on the road from Wisconsin to Munising. You can take a look on the way. 🍽️ Food: Be sure to try the whitefish, a specialty of Lake Superior, when you come here. Most restaurants in Munising have it on the menu. #Mississippi River #Chicago