Best Pictured Rocks Yurts to Stay at in 2025
Discover the best Pictured Rocks yurts, as well as other alternatives to stay at in the area.
Pictured Rocks is one of the best places to visit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s known for its great hiking trails, waterfalls, and beaches, which make it an excellent summer destination. While many people camp or stay in a rented cabin nearby, another option is to stay in a Pictured Rocks yurt.
Staying in a yurt is a unique experience, as it is similar to camping but with modern amenities like a comfortable bed. Staying in a Pictured Rocks yurt is a great way to have a more luxurious camping experience while being surrounded by the natural beauty of this area.
While yurts are certainly gaining popularity, there are currently only 3 places that offer yurts near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Each of these yurts has different amenities, with some even having electricity and a private bathroom.
Since Pictured Rocks yurts are somewhat limited, this post also includes some incredible cabin options nearby. Staying in a log cabin is another great way to experience the area, making it an excellent choice for where to stay in Pictured Rocks.
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Best Pictured Rocks Yurts
While there aren’t many Pictured Rocks yurts, the following 3 yurt options are all highly rated and offer the unique experience of staying in a yurt.
Paddler’s Inn Yurts
⭐ RATING: 4.8/5 | WHERE? Christmas, MI | BUDGET? $279 per night
Paddler’s Inn Yurts were recently built in 2022, and are perfect for a glamping type experience near Pictured Rocks. These comfortable Yurts can sleep up to 5 people and have a lofted twin bed over a queen bed, and a full-size futon.
Paddler’s Inn Yurts has many amenities, including a mini-fridge, a microwave, comfortable
bedding, a charcoal grill, and a picnic table. These Yurts also have indoor plumbing set up so that there is a private bathroom inside, which is very convenient.
The Yurts are in a picturesque forested area, nearby the Paddler’s Inn Motel. It is close to the popular Duck Pond eatery and Beer Garden, as well as the small town of Christmas, Michigan.
Best of all, the location is just a short drive to the beaches of Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is the perfect place to stay to spend the day hiking Pictured Rocks or checking out some of the nearby waterfalls, like Chapel Falls in Pictured Rocks.
Au Train Beach Campground Yurts
⭐ RATING: 4.1/5 | WHERE? Au Train, MI | BUDGET? $179-279 per night
Au Train Beach Campground is a large campground resort that offers a variety of
accommodation options, including Regular Yurts and Grand Yurts. They also offer Tipis and Safari Tents, which are other unique accommodation options.
The Regular Yurts sleep up to 5 people with a bunk bed (double bottom and single top) and a double futon. They also have a solar light and a USB charger to charge your phone. This option is basic, yet comfortable, and gives you a feel of camping in the Upper Peninsula.
The Grand Yurts are similar to a glamping experience. These yurts have electricity with lighting and a mini-fridge. Up to 8 people can sleep in this style yurt, and it features two lofted twin beds and three fold-out futons. There is also a farm table located in the center of the yurt. On the outside, you’ll find Adirondack chairs around a private firepit, perfect for roasting s’mores over a bonfire.
One benefit of staying at Au Train Beach Resort is that they offer several activities, including kayak tours of Pictured Rocks, boat cruises, and canoe tours. There are also plenty of hiking trails, fishing spots, bird-watching areas, and more around the Au Train Beach area.
Northwoods Yurt
⭐ RATING: 4.8/5 | WHERE? Au Train, MI | BUDGET? $175-185 per night
Northwoods Yurt is a part of the Northwoods Resort in Au Train, Michigan. This cozy yurt
provides a true glamping experience near Pictured Rocks. It sleeps 2 people and has a
comfortable queen size bed.
Amenities at the yurt include cable TV, a mini-fridge/freezer, a microwave, a Keurig, a bonfire pit, and a charcoal grill. It is also just a short walk to the beach area on Au Train Lake.
Currently, they only have one yurt available for rental so it is best to book early, especially for weekends in the summer.
Best Cabins in Pictured Rocks
Although a cabin isn’t the same experience as staying in a yurt, it is still a great option for where to stay near Pictured Rocks. Staying in a cabin still provides a unique experience that is different from staying at a typical hotel. Additionally, many cabins can be stayed in year-round, unlike yurts which are only available in the warmer months.
These cabins are close to Pictured Rocks and have scenic surroundings. Many of these cabins also have indoor fireplaces, bonfire pits, and wooden decor that gives you that feeling of being up north.
Cabin on the Bay
⭐ RATING: 5/5 | WHERE? Grand Marais, MI | BUDGET? $280 average per night
This waterfront cabin has its own private beach, making it ideal for a weekend getaway to
Pictured Rocks. The cabin sleeps 6 people, with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. The inside is cozy with a fireplace, living room, and kitchen.
The real highlight of this cabin is the surrounding nature. You can enjoy a walk on the beach or take one of the provided kayaks out on the lake. In the winter, there are many snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails surrounding the cabin.
This cabin is located in Grand Marais and is only a short drive to Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore, where you can enjoy hiking, kayaking, or a boat cruise.
Pictured Rocks Lodge
⭐ RATING: 4.8/5 | WHERE? Christmas, MI | BUDGET? $185 average per night
Pictured Rocks Lodge is a spacious log cabin surrounded by the Hiawatha National Forest. It sleeps up to 7 people, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This cabin offers plenty of amenities including a cozy indoor fireplace, an outdoor patio with seating, a hot tub, and plenty of fun board games.
The cabin is perfect for a family vacation to Pictured Rocks, and there are plenty of activities to do nearby including hiking, kayaking, or boat cruises around Pictured Rocks. Although it is only a 5-minute drive to downtown Munsing, the cabin is surrounded by trees and feels secluded and peaceful.
Log Cabin Retreat
⭐ RATING: 4.9/5 | WHERE? Shingleton, MI | BUDGET? $410 average per night
The Log Cabin Retreat is ideal for larger groups or families visiting Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore. The cabin can sleep up to 16 people as it has 5 different bedrooms. It is also very spacious and features wooden decor and furnishings, along with a cozy indoor fireplace.
Log Cabin Retreat is only a 10-minute drive from Pictured Rocks and downtown Munsing. There are plenty of activities nearby, including ATV/snowmobiling trails, hiking paths, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and more.
Pictured Rocks Vacation Rental
⭐ RATING: 5/5 | WHERE? Shingleton, MI | BUDGET? $300 average per night
If you are looking for a Pictured Rocks vacation rental, this is a perfect choice. This cabin is
located a short drive away from the best attractions in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore,
including hiking trails, waterfalls, and beach areas.
This 3-bedroom cabin has a modern feel to it, which also means it has plenty of modern
amenities like air-conditioning, a washer & dryer, and a TV. There is also a firepit, grill, picnic table, and lawn chairs to enjoy while being outside.
The Woodford Cabin
⭐ RATING: 4.9/5 | WHERE? Grand Marais, MI | BUDGET? $230 per night
This secluded log cabin sits on a 45-acre inland lake and is surrounded by forest. It is the
perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in nature after spending the day exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
The Woodford Cabin is a great option for families, as the log cabin sleeps up to 8 people. It has 2 bedrooms and a loft space with 3 twin beds, which is a perfect place for kids to sleep and hang out. Other amenities include a full kitchen, living room with a TV, indoor fireplace, grill, and an outdoor bonfire pit.
Camping Near Pictured Rocks
There are three campgrounds in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, however, these
campgrounds only offer rustic camping and there is no electricity, sewer, or water hookup. If you decide to visit one of these campsites, you’ll need to make reservations in advance.
The biggest difference between camping and staying at a yurt is that with camping you will need to bring all of your supplies, such as a tent and sleeping bags. A yurt on the other hand will be set up for you and have a comfortable bed with blankets already.
When to Visit Pictured Rocks
The best time to visit Pictured Rocks is in the summer when you can enjoy the warm weather and explore one of the many hiking trails in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Summertime is also when you can go kayaking or canoeing near Pictured Rocks, or even take a boat cruise.
Fall time is also a great time to visit Pictured Rocks, because of the vibrant fall colors that cover the forested areas. Typically October is the best month for seeing the colorful fall foliage.
If you plan to stay in one of the Pictured Rocks Yurts, you will need to visit between May through October. This is because the yurts aren’t insulated and don’t have central heat, so it is only possible to stay in them in the warmer months.
It is possible to visit Pictured Rocks in the winter, and although you can’t stay in a yurt you can stay in a cozy log cabin. There are many great winter activities near Pictured Rocks such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and more.
Pictured Rocks Yurts: FAQ
It is possible to camp at Pictured Rocks in Michigan. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has 3 different drive-in campgrounds. These are rustic campsites with no electricity or water hookup, but there are vault toilets and well water available. To camp at one of these sites, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance.
Yes, there are bears at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The bears in this area are Black Bears, not Grizzly or Brown Bears. So if you are camping it is best to store food or items with a scent in a bear box. If you run into a Black Bear, the best thing to do is to either slowly back away or make yourself appear large and make lots of noise as this typically scares Black Bears away.
Yurts are circular structures that are similar to a tent, but typically larger and more spacious. Many yurts also have a metal frame and are covered with thicker fabric than tents. Yurts can be basic or they can offer a glamping type of experience, as some yurts even offer amenities such as electricity, mini-fridges, and a bathroom.
Basic yurts do not typically have toilets. However, it is possible to add plumbing to a yurt and add a bathroom area. As yurts have grown in popularity, more of them are starting to include modern amenities such as electricity and a bathroom area. So a yurt can have a toilet, but you may want to check before booking if you are concerned about this.
Conclusion: Pictured Rocks Yurts
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an incredibly scenic place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There is so much to see and do there, especially for those who love spending time outdoors. From hiking to waterfalls or kayaking on Lake Superior around the cliffs of Pictured Rocks, spending time here is guaranteed to be a memorable getaway. Whether you choose to stay in one of the Pictured Rocks yurts or a cozy log cabin, you are sure to have an amazing time exploring the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula.
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