Hiawatha National Forest Forest Road 2258 Chapel Rock Backcountry Access

Forest Road 2258 winds 14 miles through the Hiawatha’s deep woods to reach Chapel Rock, Lake Superior’s most photographed sea stack. This sandy two-track follows old logging roads past beaver ponds and through dense maple-birch forests that explode in color each October. The route’s final three miles navigate loose sand that’ll bog down anything without proper deflation, leading to a clifftop overlook of the iconic rock formation crowned by a solitary pine tree.

Moderate difficulty if you understand sand driving — air down to 15 psi and keep momentum steady. High-clearance is essential for deep ruts and seasonal washouts. Best tackled May through October when the worst mud has dried. No dispersed camping allowed due to wilderness boundaries, but Grand Marais offers full services 20 miles east. The route delivers one of Michigan’s most spectacular Lake Superior vistas without the Pictured Rocks crowds. Bring a shovel and maxtrax for sand recovery.