Stretching for 42 miles along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is a landscape carved by time, water, and wind. Towering sandstone cliffs rise dramatically above the turquoise waters of Lake Superior. The cliffs, are painted in layers of red, orange, green, and gold by mineral-rich groundwater seeping through the rock. The result is a geological canvas of color and texture. It constantly shifts as light plays off the moody waters of Lake Superior. It’s a dream location for photographers! And for all visitors, alike.
- Note – All images in this post are “clickable”. Click on smaller images to view them larger. Click on larger images to view them smaller.
Designated as America’s first National Lakeshore in 1966, Pictured Rocks offers an amazing array of options for exploration. Whether arriving by hiking trail, kayak, or boat, the park invites you to slow down. Breathe in the crisp northern air. Take in the wild beauty of one of the Midwest’s most unique landscapes.
The Boreal Forest
meets lake.
To Learn more about the boreal forest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, click, HERE.
Sea Stacks, Rocks, and Waterfalls
Chapel Rock
Chapel Rock is a sandstone sea stack at Pictured Rocks. This iconic formation is adorned by a famous 250 years old white pine tree perched atop the stack. It continues to survive thanks to its remarkable roots. These roots reach back to the mainland even after the connecting arch collapsed in the 1940s!
To visit this beacon of strength and determination in person, you can take the Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach Trail. It offers a scenic hiking experience. It is about a 6.2-mile round trip. An easy way to admire the park is from the water by kayak or boat tours.
Geology of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Take a deep dive into the geological origins of this location, by clicking HERE.
The image that earned a finalist position with the National Parks, Share the Experience, Photo Contest
I never thought of this as the best image from the trip, but there is something special about it. Two kayakers share an unforgettable moment, dwarfed by the towering sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks. The vivid, vertical strokes of mineral-stained color flow behind them. It looks like nature’s abstract painting. The bright yellow kayak slices horizontally across the glowing water. It’s a bold contrast of motion against painted stone. I intentionally left out the skyline, causing the scene to feel immersive and timeless.
I had no expectations when submitting the image to the National Park Service’s monthly photo selection. However, within a day, I received a reply containing a single word: “Beautiful.”
To my surprise, the photo was ultimately chosen as one of the best images of the month, joining a group of just 11 images selected from tens of thousands of submissions. The top three photographers earned handsome prizes. I received a one-year pass to all federal lands as a nice consolation.
I wasn’t surprised or disappointed . The other winning images were extraordinary: high-quality, professional, National Geographic- looking. My photo wasn’t technically perfect, but it offered something unique. It showed a moment of two people sharing an unforgettable experience beneath one of America’s most striking landscapes, within an intriguing composition. For that reason, I think it punched above its weight class.
Sunset from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Take some time to immerse in yourself in this image.
Breathe. Relax. Dream. Go!
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