The Chapel Falls loop trail is located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore park.
Round-trip: 8 km
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Munising, MI
Click here for a Google Map of the route.
Chapel Falls Loop trail takes you around Chapel Lake, but you don’t end up getting too many views of the lake. You do get to see Chapel Falls, get close to Chapel Rock, and you get to walk on Chapel Beach! Dogs are not allowed on this trail because of the number of bears and wolves that inhabit this area.
From Munising, Michigan drive east on Alger County Road H-58 for 14 miles and turn left onto a gravel road called Chapel Road. Follow Chapel Road north for 5 miles to the parking lot at the trailhead. The trail starts on the north side of the parking area. There is a sign marked Chapel Falls and the trail is wide and easy to follow. Bikes are not allowed here.
As the trail winds through the forest there are overlooks and a view of Chapel Falls. The Chapel Falls are not far down the trail. Continue past the falls to the junction of the Lakeshore Trail and turn left/west. Here you will find the highlight of the trail Chapel Rock, which is a large sandstone formation at the shore of Lake Superior, with a large white pine growing on top of it. Walk west along the beach, just past the campsites the trail will head south for the return trip to the parking area.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a gorgeous hiking area. Here are some other trails to try while you are there; Sable Falls, Spray Falls Overlook, Grand Portal Point, Log Slide Overlook, Au Sable Lighthouse and Grand Sable Dunes.
Here are my photos from the hike
