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Photo: Gregg Bruff, Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore NPS
The Sand Point Marsh Trail is a 1/2-mile
barrier-free boardwalk that provides visitors access through a scenic
wetland area at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This trail is merely
the tip of the iceberg. There is a tremendous variety of visually
spectacular natural resources to be enjoyed at this large, beautiful
National Park Service area. The park encompasses 42 miles of jagged
sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches and sand dunes, plus inland lakes,
waterfalls, and the Lake Superior forest
from Munising to Grand Marais. Because of its location within the
transition zone between the boreal and eastern deciduous forest biomes,
the lakeshore contains plants and animals found in both forest types.
Hardwood forests are prevalent, but conifers dominate some sites.
Wetlands are common throughout the lakeshore. Many wildlife species live
permanently or seasonally within the lakeshore. The cold maritime climate
along the shore
of Lake Superior
greatly influences physical conditions and hence the biotic communities.
The unique and ancient ridge and swale
topography of Sand Point creates a variety of wet and dry habitats at the
Marsh Trail. Conifers dominate the drier ridges, while low swales support
wetland vegetation. Beavers are active in the wetland of the Sand Point
Marsh Trail. These aquatic mammals are mostly active at night, but you
may see them at dawn and dusk, and evidence of their presence is all
around. Waterfowl, herons, wetland-related and edge habitat songbirds all
may be seen in and around this marsh area. Numerous spring migrants pass
through and nest here, including the common yellowthroat, black-and-white
warbler, American redstart, yellow-rumped
warbler, plus many more. The trail is even useable in the winter by
snowshoe, when you might see tracks of the pine marten, coyote, snowshoe
hare, red fox, and other winter-active mammals. Sixteen interpretive
exhibits relate the natural and cultural history along the trail. A
large-print trail guide is available for the visually impaired. Be sure
to stop at the visitor center in Munising to pick up trail maps,
interpretive brochures, and additional information about the excellent
wildlife watching opportunities available throughout this 73,000+ acre park.
Please stay on the boardwalk trail. Do not disturb native plants or
wildlife. Pets and bicycles are not permitted on the trail.
Directions
The visitor center is located at the intersection of M-28 and
H-58 in Munising. To get to the Sand Point Marsh Trail, follow H-58
northeast from the visitor center to Washington Street. Turn north on Washington and
proceed past the hospital, where the street name changes to Sand Point Road.
Continue for 2 miles on Sand
Point Road to the parking area adjacent to the
SandPointBeach.
Ownership:
National Park Service - P.O.
Box 40, Munising, MI49862;
(906) 387-3700; wwwNPS.gov/piro Size: Sand Point
Marsh Trail site is 25 acres. Closest Town:
Munising
Restrooms
– pit toilets across the road from the trailhead, also serve the SandPointBeach.
Restrooms also found at most major developed sites in the park. Trails – 111 miles
of trails within the park. Some trails have interpretive panels and/or
brochures; check at the Munising visitor center for details. Picnic – throughout
the park, including SableLake, SableFalls, Hurricane River Campground,
Twelvemile Beach Campground, MinersCastle,
Sand Point. VisitorCenter
– Six visitor information centers: Interagency Visitor Center with US
Forest Service/Hiawatha National Forest in Munising, GrandSableVisitorCenter, GrandMaraisMaritimeMuseum, MinersCastle, MunisingFalls,
and the Au Sable Light Station. Drinking Water – at
all developed sites in the park. Fishing – yellow perch,
northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, and brook trout (special
regulations on brook trout, see details in DNR Fishing Digest). Entry Fee – the
only fees are for backcountry camping and drive-in campgrounds. Barrier Free – All
major developed sites in the park are barrier free.
Wildlife
Viewing 
