Enchanting Waterfalls

For Your Next Pure Michigan Adventure

Each season, Michigan’s waterfalls take on distinctively different personalities. Come autumn, they are framed by colorful foliage. In winter, they are frozen into ice sculptures as stunning as art— and great for recreational climbing. Spring brings the roar of winter's melt, and summer is perfect for falls-focused picnics and more. Add a splash to your next trip by stopping by one of more than 300 Michigan waterfalls.

Eastern Upper Peninsula Tahquamenon Falls – Paradise

Tahquamenon’s Upper Falls stand at 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide as Michigan's largest waterfalls. It's the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, with Niagara being the largest. During spring, more than 50,000 gallons of water drop each second via the Upper Falls. That translates to a low rumble in the parking lot and thundering roar as you reach the path's end. Four miles downstream are the Lower Falls which are split into two halves, each more than 100 feet wide and 22 feet tall. You can rent a rowboat for a better look from the water. The state park also offers some of the best camping in the state, notable for both wildlife sightings and the on-site brewpub and restaurant.

Central Upper Peninsula Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Munising

Waterfalls are clustered in this area of the state in part due to the Munising Formation, a shelf of sandstone that runs from Tahquamenon to Laughing Whitefish Falls. Head to any visitor center at Pictured Rocks to pick up waterfall maps that denote about a dozen of the largest falls, some reached by solitary treks into seemingly untouched wilderness, others well marked and right along the roadside.

Rock River Falls – Alger County

About 25 miles from Munising near Chatham these falls are hidden in the Rock River Wilderness area. This outing is perfect for those wanting a backcountry waterfall adventure since it takes driving on old logging roads and a mile-long hike to reach them. Nearby Laughing Whitefish Falls is worth the trek for the name alone; it's also easily accessible and located on a particularly scenic stretch of the Rock River Wilderness. 67

Photo credit Pure Michigan

Keweenaw Peninsula Hungarian Falls – Hubbell

Hungarian Falls are nestled in the Keweenaw Peninsula that extends out into Lake Superior. The nature area includes a pond, a dam, and woodland trails, but the highlight is the uppermost falls located on the Keweenaw Fault, a billion-year-old geological feature. The falls cascade over the tough conglomerates and basalts for about 30 feet, then flow through a short gorge formed out of the softer Jacobsville sandstone layers below. Downstream of the dam and pond lie three more waterfalls to explore. Hemlocks and white pine ring the gorge and shade it from the summer sun and winter winds.

Jacob's Falls – Eagle River

Don't blink or you might miss Jacob's Falls as they flow along a 40-foot drop along the south side of M-26 some three miles northeast of Eagle River. Pull over and hike the trails that run along the steep rock into the woods upstream. Be careful to watch for the mythical “Scoofies” that neighboring monks at the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Society of St. John, say live in the falls. The nearby monk-run store, Jampot, is a great place to pick up snacks that include fresh baked goods, chocolates, and fresh preserves.

Five striking waterfalls dot the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway on its way to Black River Harbor, and signs along the route explain the fascinating rock formations over which the water so frequently flows. Potawatomi Falls in Ironwood are one of the easiest to access but has quite a few stairs to the overlook.

Cascade Falls – Ironwood

True to its name, Cascade Falls tumble down a pristine rocky slope. Half the fun of this waterfall is exploring Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the way. Take the Valley Trail for a shorter hike, or, if you’re up for a challenge, Bluff Trail provides a more demanding climb.

Bond Falls – Paulding

Further west near Paulding, Bond Falls have it all. The scenic site is wheelchair accessible and is one of Michigan’s most spectacular waterfalls with its cascades totaling to about 50 feet in height. Those in the know stop for ice cream at the Paulding General Store and later at night watch for the "Paulding Lights." People have reported seeing these mysterious lights for 40 years.

Lower Peninsula Ocqueoc Falls – Ocqueoc

When you're the only publicly accessible waterfall in all of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, you sometimes get overlooked. But Ocqueoc Falls is a must-visit. The Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway gives you the best view, with hikes of different lengths so it’s perfect for a quick trip or a day-long adventure. Ocqueoc Falls is also universally accessible, so everyone can enjoy this natural wonder of the Lower Peninsula. The scenic landscape is especially brilliant in early October, featuring towering pine trees and hardwoods. There's also a picnic table with grills, and the area is wheelchair accessible.

Discover more waterfalls and plan your next adventure at michigan.org