Michigan
When to catch Pictured Rocksat its best
Pictured Rocks through the year: wildflowers (local timing: anytime between mid-April and early June) and fall foliage (usually either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.
RIGHT NOW · SEP 30
- Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
- This weekend (NWS)Sat widespread frost then slight chance rain showers, 62°F · Sun chance showers and thunderstorms, 57°F
- Park alerts2 current NPS alerts: Sand Point Road Closed 10/1-10/14
When are you going?
Fall at Pictured Rocks
- USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEPictured RocksEither the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of OctoberMichigan
“either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in fall
- Boat tours
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter at Pictured Rocks
Nearby in winter
- BEST VIEWING · WINTER WILDLIFESeney RefugeSept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birds35 mi
“Sept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birds” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Next peak here after winter
“either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October” · National Park Service ↗
Spring at Pictured Rocks
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSPictured RocksAnytime between mid-April and early JuneMichigan
“anytime between mid-April and early June” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Spring wildflowers
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October” · National Park Service ↗
Summer at Pictured Rocks
Good in summer
- Black flies
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“either the last week in September or at some point during the first ten days of October” · National Park Service ↗
Where to go at Pictured Rocks
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Best spots
Wildflowers
- Grand Sable DunesOrchids in sheltered pockets, then hoary puccoon and Lake Huron tansyNational Park Service ↗
- Sand Point Road and the trail to Munising FallsDense stands of tall cow-parsnip in early to mid-summerNational Park Service ↗
- Sand Point Marsh TrailBright pink water smartweed above the water, from mid-summer into fallNational Park Service ↗
Fall foliage
- Miners CastleThe only cliff area you can drive to, with overlooks of Lake SuperiorNational Park Service ↗
- Chapel-Mosquito loop10-mile hike along the cliffs, which rise 50 to 200 ft above the lakeNational Park Service ↗
- Grand Sable Dunes0.6-mile round trip to the top of open dunesNational Park Service ↗
Next 7 days at Pictured Rocks
- TodayMostly Sunny74° / 55°11% rain
- ThuMostly Cloudy65° / 39°4% rain
- FriMostly Sunny58° / 31°2% rain
- SatWidespread Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers62° / 39°54% rain
- SunChance Showers And Thunderstorms57° / 33°54% rain
- MonAreas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny54° / 32°13% rain
- TueAreas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny62° / 41°18% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 31°F): Friday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night; Windy (winds up to 20 mph): Sunday; Park closure: Sand Point Road Closed 10/1-10/14 and 1 more.
Today: sunrise 7:44 a.m., sunset 7:30 p.m., light until 8:00 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Visitor reports, not verified
Been here in the last week? Tell us how the trees looked.
What color were the trees?
Tap the one that looks most like what you saw.
One report per place for each day you saw it, no name or email · How reports work · Terms · Privacy
Nearby, and when they peak
- BEST VIEWING · WINTER WILDLIFESeney RefugeSept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birds35 mi
“Sept. and Oct. are the best months for fall migratory birds” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- USUAL PEAK · FALL FOLIAGEHarbor Island RefugeThe first two weeks of October141 mi
“the first two weeks of October” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · FALL FOLIAGEHiawatha National ForestStarting in late September37 mi
“starting in late September” · US Forest Service ↗
Towns nearby
- Green Bay, WI146 mi
Pictured Rocks in pictures
Questions people ask
What blooms after spring?
Early to mid-summer brings shade-tolerant forest flowers, water-lilies on inland lakes and orchids; mid to late summer and early fall is the time for goldenrod, joe-pye-weed, milkweed and asters in fields and meadows.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I pick the flowers?
No. Picking isn't permitted, and several species are protected by the state. Use the boot-brush stations at trailheads so you don't spread invasive plants.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Will there be bugs in spring?
Black fly season generally runs from mid-May through mid-June.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks FAQ ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Should I go early or late in the season?
Earlier rather than later, says the Park Service: the peak weekend is hard to predict, and one heavy rain or windy day can knock down many of the leaves.Source: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks FAQ ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How we know
- Sep 27Park ServiceSpring wildflowers between mid-April and early June; Grand Sable Dunes, Sand Point Road, Sand Point Marsh TrailSource (opens National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceColor usually peaks the last week of September or the first ten days of October; Chapel-Mosquito loop; black fliesSource (opens National Park Service, Pictured Rocks FAQ in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.