Stay Awhile: Munising
This fall, transport yourself to a small Northern
town that boasts perhaps the state ’s
boldest seasonal views.

By Jim DuFresne

What could be more beautiful than scenic waterfalls, colorful cliffs and the azure blues of Lake Superior? Waterfalls, cliffs and the world’s largest lake outlined in blazing shades of autumn.

In October, Munising offers both: Alluring natural scenery and hardwood forests that frame it in fiery fall hues. This town of 2,500 in the middle of Alger County is best known as the home of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but in reality is an ideal base for those who like to pair fall color tours with a dose of adventure.

To see the Pictured Rocks, those famed sandstone bluffs bordering Lake Superior for 12 miles east of Munising, most visitors book passage with Pictured Rocks Cruises (800-650-2379; www.picturedrocks.com), which has been offering the two-hour boat tours for more than 50 years. But for a closer look, the adventurous hop in a kayak with Paddling Michigan (877-228-5447; www.paddlingmichigan.com) or Northern Waters (906-387-2323; www.northernwaters.com) and then spend the day skirting the base of the 200-foot high cliffs, paddling close enough to dip into sea caves and feel the mist of waterfalls plummeting into Lake Superior.

Landlubbers who want nothing to do with Lake Superior can enjoy the Pictured Rocks by driving to its most famous formation, Miners Castle, or even better, hiking the portion of Lakeshore Trail that winds around Grand Portal Point. Arguably, it’s the most beautiful day hike in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov/piro), if not Michigan.

Hiking is the best way to see the area’s other renowned attractions as well: Waterfalls. In Alger County, there are 17 cascades (www.munising.org/munising/waterfalls.html), with many only a short drive from Munising followed by a short hike. The most intriguing are those that leap into small rock amphitheaters, landing on a stage of their own, such as Munising Falls and Memorial Falls, both on the edge of town. Cascading water and fall colors can also be seen at the end of trails to Miners Falls and Chapel Falls in the national lakeshore, and Laughing Whitefish Falls, a state scenic site south of Au Train.

Autumn is an ideal time to survey sunken vessels from a glass-bottom boat with Shipwreck Tours (906-387-4477; www.shipwrecktours.com) as well, or to mountain bike the 22-mile Rim Trail on Grand Island with transportation and bike rentals from Grand Island Ferry Service (906-387-3503; www.grandislandmi.com). For a mellow afternoon, canoe the meandering Au Train River; several resorts along the river, including Northwoods Resort (906-892-8114), offer both canoes and cabins.

To tame your appetite during the day stop, by Muldoon’s (906-892-8300) in Munising for a pasty, that unique Yooper meat pie served with gravy or ketchup. In the evening, you may feast on Jamaican whitefish while sipping a pint of ale at the classic Brownstone Inn (906-892-8332; www.brownstoneinn.net) near Au Train.

Ready to rest? End the day nearby at Pinewood Lodge (906-892-8300; www.pinewoodlodgebnb.com), an 8,400-squre foot log lodge with rooms, decks and a gazebo overlooking Lake Superior. Well-fed and tuckered out, enjoy the sunset and then turn in for the night. Tomorrow’s adventure is just around the bend.

Jim DuFresne is a Clarkston-based travel writer and a contributor to www.MichiganTrailMaps.com. For more spring adventures throughout the state, turn to Michigan BLUE Spring 2010’s Excursions department.