Chapel and Mosquito Loop: Exploring Michigan's Pictured Rocks

Tucked away in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Chapel Loop shows off exactly why Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a Midwest gem. With stunning views of Lake Superior, lush forest trails, dramatic cliffs, and iconic formations like Chapel Rock, it’s one of those hikes that will have you planning your return visit before you’ve even finished the loop.

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Trail Info

Trailhead Name	Mosquito Falls / Chapel Rock Trail
Distance	10 miles / 16 km (loop)
Estimated time	4-6 hours
Elevation gain	750 ft / 230 m
Highest point	800 ft / 244 m (Chapel Lake Overlook)
Permits / fees	No
Parking	Partially paved lot, dirt shoulder
Toilets?	Yes
Dog friendly?	No

• AllTrails link

• Parking lot location

Know before you go

• The trail is fairly well-marked, but there are numerous junctions. I found it helpful to stop and check my map a few times to ensure I stayed on the full outer loop.

• The bugs can be vicious—especially in late spring and summer. When I hiked in early July, I hit a full swarm near sunset. Bring gear or choose your timing wisely.

• The road to the trailhead is unpaved and can close during winter. It’s usually fine for sedans in good conditions, but check the NPS site for updates.

• It gets busy. This is one of the park’s most popular hikes, and the main lot can fill early. If it does, you may end up parking over a mile from the trailhead.

Trail Modifications

You can shorten the loop in a few ways, but each option means skipping a highlight:

• Interior paths: Save ~1.25 miles, but skip both Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls lookout.

• Mosquito River route (instead of Mosquito Falls Trail): Save ~1 mile.

• Chapel Beach Trail (instead of Chapel Rock Trail): Save ~0.25 miles, but miss the cliffside section along Lake Superior.

• Chapel Beach Loop only: See Chapel Rock but miss the lakeshore cliffs.

• Mosquito Falls Loop only: See Mosquito Beach and Falls in a shorter loop but skip the most stunning coastal views.

SS Take: If you’ve got the time and energy, do the full loop. It’s 100% worth it.

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The Trail

I hiked the full loop clockwise, starting with Mosquito Falls → North Country Trail → Chapel Rock Trail. The second junction is where I veered left to stay on the Mosquito Falls.

The trail was well-maintained, with periodic boardwalks and bridges like this.

Most of it looks like a classic dirt forest path. There was some light overgrowth brushing against my legs, but not a big deal. Long pants though wouldn't hurt, especially with the bugs buzzing around.

The first big landmark: Mosquito Falls. A peaceful cascade surrounded by vibrant green. Worth a short pause and a few photos.

At the junction with the North Country Trail, go right to stay on course. But a short detour to Mosquito Beach awaits if you go left for a few minutes

Getting to the beach involves scrambling down this fun rope ladder.

The beach itself was wild. It had huge, colorful rocks that looked like supersized pebbles. It felt like nature had used a magnifying glass on them.

Foot for scale. 🦶

Back on the main loop, you’ll hit what I think is the prettiest part of the hike—the trail winds through trees and hugs the cliffs, with jaw-dropping views of Lake Superior.

The emerald blue of the lake from above is truly captivating.

While the trail does parallel the cliff, it never gets too close to the edge with the exception of the section pictured above.

Or this "optional" cliff section. (The official trail stays in the trees.) I ventured out for the views, but definitely don’t get too close to the edge.

As this picture shows, some sections of cliff have collapsed. A sobering reminder that nature doesn’t mess around.

Eventually you’ll reach Chapel Beach, a major landmark. Take the ladder down for a dip (if your blood can handle those icy waters).

Just beyond the beach lies Chapel Beach Falls, flowing straight from the forest into the lake.

And then—Chapel Rock. A single white pine clinging to an eroded pedestal of stone. One of the most surreal formations I’ve seen.

You can walk closer for a better look. I stood there for several minutes just taking it in.

There’s still more to see on the way out. First up: Chapel Falls. Not the tallest falls around, but still a powerful, flowing cascade.

Lovely forest waterfall vibes.

And then: Chapel Lake Overlook. It’s wild how many bodies of water are packed onto this small peninsula.

After that, it was time to finish the loop as the sun started dipping behind the trees. I had to rest up, because tomorrow, I’d be seeing this entire area again... from the water.

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SS Reflections (and a bonus story!)

This was my first time in Michigan and my first time seeing the Upper Peninsula. I made the detour during a cross-country move to Colorado, not really expecting much. But Pictured Rocks (and later, Sleeping Bear Dunes) blew me away. Standing along these cliffs, staring into the vivid blues of Lake Superior—it was absolutely magical.

But the moment that really stuck with me didn’t happen on the hike. It happened the next day during a guided kayak trip. While paddling under the cliffs, we heard a strange, repeated cry. When we discovered the source of the sound saw something heartbreaking: a baby deer stranded on a tiny rocky alcove. It had fallen from the cliffs and somehow swam to safety... but it was trapped.

What followed was a wild rescue attempt. Our guide coordinated with a nearby pontoon boat to try and retrieve the deer. At first, she tried loading it onto her kayak...but the waves and rocky shoreline made it impossible.

Then, one of the pontoon passengers did something bold. He stripped off his shirt, jumped into the freezing lake, and swam to the alcove. For ten minutes, he chased the panicked deer back and forth, until finally, the exhausted animal gave in. The man picked it up, swam it back to the boat, and helped hoist it aboard.

It was a jaw-dropping moment of spontaneous teamwork and compassion, and a moment I’ll never forget. It was also a reminder that while nature provides the beauty, it's often people who create the most unforgettable memories.

Other Helpful Resources

• Official NPS page covering all the trails at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore