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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Pictured Rocks National LakeshoreLake Superior's Au Sable Light Station, built in 1874 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service, is located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Swimming & Diving
 
The white sands of Miners Beach stretch a half-mile just east of Miners Castle along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior.
NPS photo by Ed Lasich
Miners Beach
Swimming and Wading
The clean and clear waters of Lake Superior are tempting, though the water is typically cold for even the hardiest swimmers.

Visitors enjoy peaceful strolls along the lakeshore's white sand beaches, including Sand Point, Miners, and Twelvemile.

There are no lifeguarded beaches at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or its surrounding communities.  Rip currents can and do occur, and may change locations from year to year.

Please use extreme caution if you choose to venture into Lake Superior waters.

Beach fires are only permitted in the designated metal fire ring at Sand Point; fires are not allowed on other beaches.  Glass containers are prohibited on all beaches.  Pets are allowed in designated areas; please know the regulations. 

Please help keep our beaches clean.

 

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Some of the best scuba diving in the Midwest can be found in and around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Snorkeling and scuba diving are permitted throughout the lakeshore.

Scuba diving is popular in Lake Superior, especially within the Alger Underwater Preserve, a state preserve created to protect the submerged cultural resources. State and federal regulations prohibit the removal or disturbance of relics, artifacts, or historic features.

Always use a dive flag to mark your location. 

For more information ...
Boating
Shipwrecks site bulletin (pdf)

 
This visitor enjoys wading along the Lake Superior beach, but needs to be wary of rip currents.
Rip currents
powerful currents of water moving away from shore.
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Lake Superior waves at Au Sable Point. (National Weather Service photo)
NOAA marine weather forecast
for the south shore of Lake Superior.
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A small creek drops over a ledge at Miners Beach.
Water, water everywhere
Is it safe to drink?
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The Alger Underwater Preserve protects shipwrecks on the bottomlands from Au Train to Au Sable Point.
Alger Underwater Preserve
was designated to protect shipwrecks.
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Mineral seepage creates the vibrant colors shown on this close-up photo of the Pictured Rocks cliffs.  

Did You Know?
Mineral stains give color to the famous cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Red and orange colors are iron, black is manganese, white is limonite, and green is a trace of copper. There are no pictographs or petroglyphs on the Pictured Rocks cliffs (that we know of).
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Last Updated: November 06, 2009 at 14:13 EST