Waterfalls

Bridalveil Falls, east of Miners Beach

NPS photo

Why So Many Waterfalls?
Michigan's Upper Peninsula abounds with waterfalls! Many of those found within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are the result of water running over a shelf or cliff of hard limey sandstone called the Au Train Formation. This geologic formation resists erosion better than the softer sandstone layers just below it.

Most of the park's main waterfalls can be accessed on foot. Please use caution while hiking to waterfalls. Stay on the trails and watch for uneven footing. Where permitted, pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Pets are not permitted at all waterfalls.


MAIN PARK WATERFALLS

 

Munising Falls

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Munising Falls

Located within the city limits of Munising where Washington Street becomes Sand Point Road, near Munising Memorial Hospital.

Walk the paved 800-foot trail up a cool shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the falls. Two sets of stairs lead to platforms for additional views of the 50-foot waterfall as it drops over a sandstone cliff. Watch for ferns, wildflowers, and an occasional mink. In winter, the waterfall exhibits dramatic ice formations.

Please stay on the paved trail, which is wheelchair accessible. Walking into or behind the falls is prohibited. Pets are allowed on the trail.

 

Miners Falls

NPS photo

Miners Falls

The parking lot is located about four miles north of H-58 off Miners Castle Road. The walk from the parking area to the waterfall is 1.2 miles round-trip.

A gently rolling gravel path through the northwoods leads to two overlooks. Enjoy the Miners Falls Nature Trail and views of the Miners Basin along the way. The fast-flowing Miners River drops about 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop, creating the park's most powerful waterfall.

There are 64 steps down to the lower viewing platform at the falls. This is an especially beautiful trail in the springtime with abundant wildflowers. Pets are allowed on the trail.

 

Bridalveil Falls

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Bridalveil Falls

Located about a half-mile northeast of Miners Beach along the Pictured Rocks cliffs.

Bridalveil Falls is viewed best from the water, but can be seen at a distance from the lower Miners Castle overlook or from the west end of Miners Beach. The falls cannot be seen from atop or from the North Country Trail.

This is a seasonal waterfall that usually slows to a trickle in mid-summer. Bridalveil Falls is often featured on postcards and publications about Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

 

Mosquito Falls

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Mosquito Falls
Located about 15 miles east of Munising off H-58, then about 5 miles north to the parking area at end of Chapel Road. Chapel/Mosquito area map (pdf)

Walking toward Mosquito Beach, a side trail leads almost a mile to the falls, which drops over an 8-foot high rock shelf on the Mosquito River. Watch for river otter and beaver in the stream. This is a lovely springtime trail through the forest carpeted with wildflowers.

Pets are prohibited on all trails in the Mosquito area.

 

Chapel Falls

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Chapel Falls
Located about 15 miles east of Munising off Alger County Road H-58, then about 5 miles north to the end of Chapel Road. Chapel/Mosquito area map (pdf)

After a brisk 1.2 mile walk, hikers can view the 60-foot high Chapel Falls as it cascades toward Chapel Lake.

The trail is on an old roadbed with several small hills. Two viewing platforms along the way provide views of the scenic Chapel Basin. The trail continues to Chapel Rock and Lake Superior.

Pets are prohibited on all trails in the Chapel area.

 

Sable Falls

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Sable Falls
Located about one mile west of Grand Marais on Alger County Road H-58.

Sable Falls tumbles 75 feet over a cascading slope of Munising and Jacobsville sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior. The best viewing is from the bottom of a long staircase of 168 steps. The trail from the parking area to this staircase is a short one.

The trail continues past the falls for a short walk to a rock beach where Sable Creek flows into Lake Superior.

Pets allowed on the steps and trail to the falls and out to the beach.

 

Spray Falls

NPS photo

Spray Falls
Located about 1.75 miles northeast of Chapel Beach.

Spray Falls plunges about 70 feet over the Pictured Rocks cliffs directly into Lake Superior. This remote waterfall is best viewed from the water as there is limited viewing access from the North Country Scenic Trail (from the Chapel trailhead it's a 9.6 mile round trip hike; from the Little Beaver trailhead, it's just under 8 miles round trip.) The 1856 shipwreck "Superior" lies at the base of the falls in 20 feet of water.

Pets are prohibited on all trails in the Spray Falls area.

 

Nearby Waterfalls
Estimates differ regarding the number of waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula, ranging from 150 to 300. Since waterfalls may be on private as well as public land; please be respectful of the area you are visiting. For information on other area waterfalls, check out the links below or stop at one of Munising's tourist centers.

Laughing Whitefish Falls Scenic Site (Michigan DNR)
Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Michigan DNR)
Wagner Falls Scenic Site (Michigan DNR)

Map of Alger County Waterfalls
Michigan Nature Association - Memorial/Tannery Falls
Munising Area Waterfalls
Waterfalls of the U.P.

 

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