2026 Pictured Rocks Exploration
Dates: July 17-20, 2026
Miles: Variable each day, typically between six and fourteen miles.
Challenges: Wind, wave and sun conditions; inclement weather; possible long paddle days.
Camping Fee: A nominal participation fee of $30 will be charged for this event to defray the cost of group campsite registration. If you wish to be included in evening group meals, the fee is $45 (camping and meals).
Register: You MUST be a current member of NEWP and ACA to participate in this gathering. To join, see the membership page.
Registration and payment options will be coming soon. Please check back later.
Pay for the event (if you have not already).
A planning meeting will be held prior to the trip. The meeting date and time is TBD and will be held via Zoom.
Questions? Contact MikeJ@newp.club.
SAFETY FIRST
- All participants must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) at all times while on the water.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the paddle or during lunch stops.
Current Participant List: To be included in this event, confirm your club membership status and submit the trip forms. (link coming soon)
Participants:
- Scott T
- Terry H
- Mike S
- Sandy O
- Michael J
- Josiah L.
NEWP hosted its first Pictured Rocks Paddle adventure in 2025. The adventure was so well received that NEWP is offering it again in 2026. Reservations for campsites 25, 26 and 27 at Bay Furnace have been confirmed for three nights, starting Friday July 17.
You will be expected to share one of these sites with up to two other tents and a maximum of 6 people per site depending on how many register. From that base, participants will select among several daytrip options (listed below) to best fit conditions and group interests.
Participants must meet the stated experience, boat and equipment criteria outlined on this page, but may be new to paddling the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
NEWP club trips provide an opportunity for experienced paddlers together with newer paddlers to safely enjoy a few days of great paddling and camping in beautiful paddle destinations. For many participants over the years, our club trips have offered a “first” experience paddling in these world-class destinations.
We select destinations and campsite locations to offer a variety of paddle destinations, hiking and other activity options based on weather and paddle conditions. Ken Braband’s short video clip from our 2019 trip to Sand Island, or his long version with participant interviews provides a good trip overview. For more information check out the Apostle Islands website.
Timeline
- Travel to Bay Furnace Campground on (or before) July 17
- EARLY (FRIDAY) TRAVELER PADDLE OPTION – Meet at the Bay Furnace campsites by 2:00 PM to decide which paddling option below:
- Drive to Bay Furnace Beach on Lake Superior and paddle the big lake, or
- Drive to Sand Point and paddle over to Grand Island, or
- Drive to the Public AuTrain River Canoe exit and put in the AuTrain river and paddle out to Lake Superior.
- EARLY (FRIDAY) TRAVELER PADDLE OPTION – Meet at the Bay Furnace campsites by 2:00 PM to decide which paddling option below:
- Paddle Days: Saturday, Sunday and Monday – Daily trips will be scheduled based on conditions and participant interest. SEE PROSPECTIVE DAYTRIPS LISTED BELOW.
- Return day Monday 7/20 – Pack up and drive home. (Optional paddle for late travelers.)
Daytrip Destinations
Daily paddle trips will be determined by a combination of wind and wave conditions, paddler interest and group goals. Other land-based activities or attractions may present viable options in the event of inclement weather, and are certainly not limited to those listed below.
Prospective Paddle Trips
- Pictured Rocks (2-Day Full Tour as a backup plan)
- Launch from Miners Beach; paddle 6.5 miles to Chapel Beach. Return to Miners Beach. This is a 13 mile round trip, with a rest at Chapel Beach.
- As a backup plan, in case of weather conditions:
- Day 1: Launch from Miners Beach (overnight parking allowed); paddle 6.5 miles to Chapel Beach (no vehicle access). Three mile hike out to Chapel Falls trailhead; drive back to Bay Furnace campsite for overnight camping.
- Day 2: Return to Chapel Falls Trailhead; three mile hike back to beach. Launch from Chapel Beach and 6.5-mile return paddle to Miners Beach.
- Grand Island Trout Bay (1-Day Tour)
Launch from Sand Point; 12-mile round trip to Trout Bay. - Grand Island Shipwreck Bermuda
Launch from Sand Point; 6-mile roundtrip paddle to Shipwreck Bermuda. - Pictured Rocks Half-Day Trip
Launch from Miners Beach north; 6-10 mile round trip paddle to Shipwreck Point or beyond and back to Miner’s Beach. - Pictured Rocks Day Trip
Launch from Miners Beach north; 6-mile round trip paddle to Mosquito Beach and back. - If conditions do not permit paddling anywhere on Lake Superior some alternative inland places to paddle are:
- Cleveland Cliffs Basin (Forest Lake), launch from Forest Lake campground.
- Deer Lake, launch from Deer Lake Roadside Park off of highway 28.
- Dead River Storage Basin, launch from either south end of Dead River Storage Basin.
- McClure Storage Basin, launch from Steel Bridge Pocket Park.
- Pictured Rocks (2-Day Full Tour as a backup plan)
Potential Non-Paddling Activities/ Attractions
- Tour several local waterfalls. Some hiking involved. (We did this one day in 2025.)
- Pictured Rocks Cruises, 5 miles from Bay Furnace Campground. 100 City Park Drive, Munising MI 49862
- Glass Bottom Boat ship wreck tour 4 miles from campground. 1204 Commercial Street, Munising, MI 49862
- Grand Island Ferry Service 3 miles from campground. Hiking or bicycles only on Grand Island. N8016 Grand Island Landing Rd., Munising MI, 49862
- Presque Isle park in Marquette, MI. 42 miles from campground. Peter White Dr., Marquette, MI 49855
- Lakenenland Drive Through Sculpture Park 24 miles from campground. 2800 E State Highway M28, Marquette, MI 49822
Participant Qualifications and Preparation
To ensure participants meet fitness qualifications and equipment requirements, all participants must complete at least one two-hour group paddle. This will:
- Expose the participant to the physical requirements of an extended crossing. We will be prepared to stay in the kayaks for the full trip.
- Confirm each participant’s ability to make the trip.
- Verify that the kayak and equipment are suitable for a Lake Superior trip.
- Practice/test paddles are listed on the Practice Paddles page.
- Other opportunities to paddle in “big water” conditions:
- Others TBD
Trip Leaders
Trip Leaders for each trip will be identified during the pre-trip briefing.
- Trip leaders will have authority over all participants on water trips or activities.
- If the trip leaders believe that due to weather or water conditions it is unsafe to proceed with a trip or activity, they may restrict or cancel that trip or activity.
- If conditions present excessive risk for paddling activities, the group will discuss alternative land-based options for group consideration.
Safety Considerations
- Water Crossings, Trips and Activities:
- No solo on-water crossings, trips or activities will be allowed.
- All on water activities will be done in groups with designated lead paddlers. Groups must be three or greater paddlers.
- Equipment
- Trip leaders have final approval of all participating kayaks and equipment.
- All kayaks, equipment and clothing must be suitable for Lake Superior paddling.
- Kayaks must have flotation or bulkheads, deck-lines and be fitted with spray skirts. If the kayak does not have bulkheads the use of and knowledge of how to use sea socks is required.
- Inflatable PFDs are not acceptable for this trip.
- Participants are encouraged to acquire and become familiar with safety equipment such as paddle floats, radios, tow ropes, spare paddle etc.
- Night paddling is not planned, however paddlers should be prepared in case a night paddle becomes necessary. Coast Guard rules require everyone to have a visual light source such as a laser flare or three traditional flares, a sound source (whistle) and a white light source (head lamp) to display in the presence of moving boat traffic.
- Paddle Clothing – Lake Superior is COLD!
- Practice self and group rescues; review the video Cold Water Boot Camp.
- Bring suitable cold water paddling gear, wetsuit, dry suit, splash jacket, gloves, etc.
- Dress to confidently function in cold weather and in case of cold-water immersion.
- Alcohol and Drugs
- NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL BE ALLOWED WHILE PADDLING.
- NO ILLEGAL DRUGS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Meals and Camping
The evening meals will have one “group meal” option Saturday night. If you wish to participate in the group meal (additional cost), a planning meeting will be held prior to the trip to make arrangements. Generally, the group will prepare the meal and clean up after. If you do not wish to participate in the group meal, you will be responsible for your own evening meal.
We plan to head into town one evening for dinner at a local establishment. The cost for this is in addition to the “group meal.”
All other meals are on your own. Generally, lunches will be packed and eaten during the daily paddles.
Trip Goal
The trip goal is to have a fun, safe outing. Because of the nature of Lake Superior, safety will be the primary factor. Due to possible weather and wind conditions on Lake Superior, there is no guarantee that events or activities will happen as planned. Participants must be flexible and be prepared for changes in events and timing.
Park Rules
All Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore rules must be followed. All participants will be expected to follow the “Leave No Trace” practices. Burning of garbage, cigarette butts or other waste is not allowed in the fire area.
Participants Must
- Be a current ACA and NEWP member.
- Have taken a NEWP class or be known by one of the lead paddlers to have the requisite skills and training for the planned trip.
- Complete the event form, ACA waiver and submit the event fee.
- The fee will cover event expenses and purchase of trip safety equipment.
- In the event a participant cannot make the outing and a qualified replacement is willing to take their place, the fee will be refunded.
- If the event is cancelled due to conditions beyond our control, any remaining funds after paying expenses will be refunded proportionately. The participant can choose to donate their refund to the club for the purchase of safety equipment.