9 Budget-friendly Things to do in Grand Marais That You Shouldn't Miss

October 17, 2021 Lashaunda Abraham

Grand Marais is an unincorporated community in Burt Township, Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located on Lake Superior, and is the eastern gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore via H-58.
Restaurants in Grand Marais

1. 12-Mile Beach

H-58 Seasonal Road, Grand Marais, MI 49839
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

12-Mile Beach

Reviewed By bandido63

We stayed for 3.5 days and 3 nights at the Twelvemile beach campground which is one of three campgrounds that are part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We arrived on Monday 7/29 and left on Thursday 8/1. We had made previous reservations and that is the only way to get a campsite here now (after 7/11/19). There is a gravel road that runs east-west through the campground and the sites are on both sides north and south of the road. The backsides of the campground to the north of the road basically back into the dunes over the beach. Each campsite has a pad for a large tent or two smaller ones, a picnic table and a fire ring. There are trash containers near every campsite. Due to black bears in the area, they ask that you out foods and smellables in your vehicle when not eating/cooking. If you came in a motorcycle or a bicycle, there are a few metal boxes through camp where you can store your food. There are pit latrines at different spots through the camp and they are nice and clean, they provide TP and hand sanitizer. The beach is spectacular and the views of the sunset are particularly stunning. Due to the roads, even though you are a little over 30 miles from Munising, it will take one hour to drive there. There are plenty of trails nearby to visit (highly recommend hiking the trail to Chapel Falls/Chapel Rock) before heading into town for the Pictured Rocks boat/kayak tours. This is a no generator camp, so it will be nice and quiet and a perfect place to enjoy nature. There are staircases that take you down to the beach if you don't feel like venturing down the sides of the dunes. We really enjoyed our time at this campsite and were impressed with how well maintained it was. Would definitely want to go back in the future.

2. Log Slide Overlook

Alger County Road H-58, Grand Marais, MI 49839 https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/scenicsites.htm#CP_JUMP_3020724
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 253 reviews

Log Slide Overlook

Reviewed By 308acec - Grand Rapids, United States

The views here are amazing and it is an easy hike from the parking lot out to the dune. There are several trails off either side that provide even more panoramic views and if you take the left path, you'll be treated to a wonderful view of the Au Sable Lighthouse! **Note there is nothing stopping anyone from running down the dune all the way to the lake, but if you do, BE PREPARED for a very physical hike back up which could take an hour or more depending on your physical condition.

3. Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum

E21739 Brazel St, Grand Marais, MI 49839-9804 +1 906-494-3000 http://www.agatelady.com/
Excellent
52%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum

Reviewed By iluvfood8

What a wonderful and delightful surprise this was! Karen took the time to engage my newly rock-obsessed children (6&8) and teach us a ton in a short time. I was so impressed with how quickly she could identify the 3 rocks we had picked up from the beach. I also REALLY appreciated that she is taking appropriate COVID-19 precautions given the influx of visitors from areas with surging numbers; most indoor establishments in Grand Marais were without masks or social distancing.

4. Sable Falls

H-58 West of Grand Marais, Grand Marais, MI 55604 http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/sable.shtml
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

Sable Falls

Reviewed By corinad302 - Grand Rapids, United States

A shop owner gave us tip that we could walk along the shoreline to get to the falls. It was not too long but you have to be prepared to walk on sand and rocks. Once we were there we could climb some stairs to see the falls which were lovely. We then decided to walk some of the trails and are very glad we did because we made it to the sand dunes and saw some of the best views of our entire vacation.

5. Chapel Falls

15 miles east of Munising off Alger County Road H-58 5 miles north to the end of Chapel Road, Grand Marais, MI http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

Chapel Falls

Reviewed By donnarA5248HG - Elliot Lake, Canada

Amazing trails, gorgeous scenery to a pretty waterfall. Plan on spending an entire afternoon the walk all the trails and enjoy some time at the beach, you won't be disappointed.

6. Au Sable Light Station

County Road H-58, Grand Marais, MI +1 906-387-3700 http://www.nps.gov/piro/historyculture/ausablelightstation.htm
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 91 reviews

Au Sable Light Station

Reviewed By LittlePaint - Urbandale, United States

We hiked from Log Slide Overlook. The views of the lake were beautiful. The trail was easy and not heavily trafficked liked many of the trails further west in the park. Highly recommend this hike.

7. Woodland Park

E21666 Brazel St, Grand Marais, MI 49839-5100 http://www.burttownship.com/recreation/woodland-park-campground
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Woodland Park

Reviewed By BryanPaul1 - Detroit, United States

Planned a last minute Labor Day Weekend adventure and was so happy to find this pace between Pictured Rocks and Tahquamenon Falls. Got their early and hoped for the best. And the best was yet to come! We landed a great spot on the water and had a great time. Love this place and will(hopefully) be back next year

8. Pickle Barrel House Museum

NE Corner of Lake & Randolph Streets, Grand Marais, MI 49839 +1 906-494-2404 http://www.michigan.org/property/pickle-barrel-house-museum/
Excellent
52%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 44 reviews

Pickle Barrel House Museum

Reviewed By Eatbugs_from_MI - Michigan, United States

It's a house shaped (mostly) like a barrel. They cheated by adding a kitchen as an extension, but that's what it is. It was built by a cartoonist and the house is full of artifacts of the old cartoons, including a scavenger hunt for kids. There is no need to spend a lot of time there, but for the price of admission and the time required to see it, it is worth it.

9. Lake Superior Brewing Company

1 Lake Ave, Grand Marais, MI 49839 +1 906-494-2337 http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/LSBC/
Excellent
38%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 80 reviews

Lake Superior Brewing Company

Reviewed By wysfam - Ada, United States

This should be listed under restaurants too, they made the side yard into outdoor dining and it was very nice, excellent pizza and brews, did a good job with the social distancing.

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