Au Train A Secret Gem Near Pictured Rocks

Au Train Beach is a perfect place to exercise a dog or enjoy an afternoon with the beach to yourself!

The town of Au Train, Michigan is my favorite home base when visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The local hotels and vacation rentals tend to be cheaper and available than touristy Munising. The nearby campgrounds are also more likely to have openings in the summer, and the sites are far less crowded than the popular sites in the park.

The last time I was there, in July 2024, I got a three-bedroom, two-bath cabin with a master suite, full kitchen, and good Wi-Fi for the same price per night as a two-bedroom dump of a hotel room in Munising. The place was so big that my dog had his own bedroom!

The money I saved, for a quiet, posh cabin in the woods, was well worth having to drive a measly 15 minutes to Munising.

Distance from Au Train to Munising

The drive from Au Train to Munising, at the doorstep of Pictured Rocks, takes about 15 minutes, and traffic is pretty light. There are some passing lanes along the way if you get stuck behind someone towing a camper.

Distance from Au Train to Popular Spots in Pictured Rocks

Here are the approximate distances from Au Train, Michigan to some of the most popular spots in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:

Munising Falls – 12 miles (20 min)

Miners Castle Overlook – 17 miles (30 min)

Miners Falls – 18 miles (30 min)

Miners Beach – 18 miles (30 min)

Chapel Rock & Beach (via trailhead) – 28 miles (45 min drive + 3-mile hike)

Mosquito Beach (via trailhead) – 27 miles (45 min drive + 2-mile hike)

Log Slide Overlook – 45 miles (1 hr)

Twelvemile Beach – 42 miles (1 hr)

Grand Sable Dunes – 50 miles (1 hr 10 min)

Sable Falls – 52 miles (1 hr 15 min)

Local Supplies

One of the great things that makes Au Train a great homebase for touring Pictured Rocks is that it has a lot of basic supplies available. You can get 80% of what you need without having to drive all the way to Munising or Marquette.

Northwoods Outpost

Au Train's Northwoods Outpost has great pizza, ice cream and pasties.

The Northwoods Outpost is another thing that makes Au Train a great home base for a Pictured Rocks adventure. They've got great New York style pizza, reasonably priced ice cream, and homemade pasties.

On my way back to the cabin from Pictured Rocks, I’d pass through Munising where cell service was good, I'd just call them up and order a pizza. I'd get there just as it was coming out of the oven. Order a double scoop of ice cream in an insulated cup and I had dinner and dessert for the evening solved!

Au Train Grocery & Motel

This local convenience store offers a variety of grocery items, fresh pastries, deli food, beer, wine, liquor, and a self-serve gas station. They also provide a 5-unit motel that’s not exactly high quality, but it can be a handy fallback option if your reservations elsewhere fall through!

Au Train Beach

Au Train beach looks like it was lifted out of the pages of a Caribbean vacation guide, yet it’s really just 15 minutes east of Pictured Rocks. Roughly two miles of white beach sand, with gentle crashing waves and a gentle sea breeze. Except the gin clear water of Lake Superior is too cold for swimming 11 months out of the year. So, it's mostly abandoned.

If Au Train beach was in Florida, it would have 10,000 people on it a day. Yet I never saw more than 10 at a time. It's also rated as dog friendly. So, I was able to wander away from the main trailheads to let my dog romp, splash, swim and dig holes in the sand with reckless abandonment.

Dog Travel Note

Au Train beach is dog-friendly, and a great place to exercise your dog before going to Pictured Rocks.

Au Train Beach was the perfect place to let my dog burn off a bunch of energy at the start of the day before adventuring deep into Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Which has much stricter dog regulations.

So, even if you’re passing through with your dog, Au Train beach is the perfect place to stop and let them burn off some energy, before forcing them to spend the rest of the day on-leash.

Au Train River

The canoe and kayak opportunities on the Au Train River are one of the most unsung gems of Michigan's UP, which is often overshadowed by Pictured Rock.  Several outfitters can set you up with everything you need.

Au Train River is a perfect scenic float near Pictured Rocks.

The current is just enough to help move you along. Yet it's still a lazy River with oxbow turns and the true sense of being immersed in the wild.

Depending on where you put-in it takes around three hours to complete a scenic float.

Au Train Michigan Lodging 

The Lodging, rental cabins, and camping opportunities around Au Train are also underappreciated. I rented a three bedroom, two bath cabin with a master suite and full kitchen for the same price as an average hotel room with two queen beds in Munising.

They don't do the best job of advertising, but you can usually find them at Au Train River Cottages on popular vacation rental websites or an organic Google search.

Northwoods Resort

Located just two miles from Lake Superior, Northwoods Resort offers a variety of cabin rentals year-round, each providing modern amenities and access to a private sandy beach on Au Train Lake. Guests can enjoy activities like swimming, boating, and easy access to nearby attractions such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Au Train River Cottages

Au Train River Cottages is a great place to stay near Pictured Rocks

Situated on the shores of the Au Train River, these rustic cottages combine modern comforts with natural beauty, providing a peaceful retreat near Pictured Rocks. This is where I stayed in July of 2024, and I can’t speak more highly of them.

Each cottage offers direct river access, making it ideal for kayaking, fishing, and watching wildlife. They’re also dog friendly, and I didn’t get one bit of guff from walking my dog around the dirt roads surrounding the cabins.  

Au Train Motel

This cozy motel in Au Train provides clean, comfortable rooms and is conveniently located near Pictured Rocks. It's an excellent base for exploring the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

It’s not great, but it usually has a vacancy. If you’re traveling to Pictured Rocks and something goes wrong with your reservations, and you desperately need a place to stay, this is an easy fallback option to find a place to sleep!

Best Campgrounds Near Au Train Michigan 

There are three main campgrounds within 10 miles of Au Train that can also serve as a great home base for exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Au Train Lake Campground

Nestled at the south end of Au Train Lake, this campground offers a serene environment favored by anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its tranquil setting is ideal for family trips, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

They have rental cabins, but they’re very spartan. You should also note that this will add another 10 minutes onto your drive time to Pictured Rocks.

Superior Times Resort and Campground

Situated on the picturesque shores of Au Train Lake, this family-owned resort provides stunning lake views, boat and kayak rentals, and well-equipped campsites with fire pits. It's an excellent choice for those seeking a blend of relaxation and outdoor activities.

You can find more of my Michigan content at travel guides at Eric Beuning's Author Page.