The 42 miles between the attractive fishing villages of Grand Marais and Munising form the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore , a splendid array of multicolored cliffs, rolling dunes and secluded sandy beaches. Rain, wind, ice and sun have carved and gouged arches, columns and caves into the face of the lakeshore, all stained different hues. Hiking trails run along the clifftops and the partially unpaved Hwy-58 takes you close to the water, but the best way to see the cliffs is by boat . Pictured Rocks Cruises offers a three-hour narrated tour that leaves from the left of the City Pier in Munising (July & Aug 5-7 trips daily; June, Sept & early Oct 2 trips daily; $22; tel 906/387-2379). Less than a mile farther along the lake at 1204 Commercial St, Shipwreck Tours gives two-hour narrated cruises in a glass-bottom boat with surprisingly clear views of three shipwrecks - one intact (June to early Oct 2-3 trips daily; $20; tel 906/387-4477). Those in a hurry can get a glimpse by visiting the Miners Castle Overlook , just east of Munising, or Munising Falls , one of half a dozen nearby waterfalls, near the village's well-posted visitor center (tel 906/387-2138). In Munising, Scotty's Motel , 415 Cedar St (tel 906/387-2449; $50-75), and the Munising Motel , 332 E Onota St (tel 906/387-3187; $75-100), are comfortable enough places to stay.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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