The Waterfalls of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

As an inhabitant of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as well as a photographer, I have been graciously blessed with a myriad of outdoor activities that me and my family have been privileged to enjoy all year round. One of my families favorite beloved outdoor activities are chasing waterfalls. They are to be revered and have provide us with a place to resting place to get in-tune with nature, and the scenes for numerous memorable picnic sites we have had throughout the years.

I wish to share with you this comprehensive litany of 197 document-able waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The waterfalls listed here within can be enjoyed during all seasons adding a different aspect of the seasonal beauty they hold. My suggestion for viewing these waterfalls are in the Spring, where the flow of water from the ice and snow-melt provides the full power of these waterfalls to be adorned. Some of these waterfalls are in locations that are very remote and treacherous here in the Upper Peninsula forest, and caution should be heeded. The forest in the Upper Peninsula is also inhabited by many woodlands creatures, both large and small. I also ask that you respect the land and enjoy with your eye's and leave only foot-prints behind.

Some of these waterfalls are as small a trickle of water from a narrow woodland creek, and some as large as 200 feet wide with a 50 foot vertical drops like the jewel of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Tahquamenon Falls, which is one of the largest waterfall's east of the Mississippi River. All of the following waterfalls have not been visited by me personally and have given more details of the ones that I have.

Agate Falls

Seven miles southeast of Bruce Crossing at the roadside park on a unimproved trail, and the walking time will take about 15 minutes or less. It displays a 80 foot vertical drop.

Ajibikoka Falls

Four and half miles northwest of Watersmeet on nothing more than a foot-path and will take about 45 minutes to reach the 20 foot vertical drop.

Alder Falls

Two and half miles southeast of Big Bay where you may follow small signs which lead to small foot-path and will require a five to ten minute walk. This one may be tricky to find, however you may ask for directions at the Lumberjack Tavern which was filmed during the making of 'Anatomy of a Murder", staring Jimmy Stewart. The 'Big Bay Outfitters" also provides map and guided waterfall tours.

Alger Falls

One mile south of Munising at intersection of M-94 & M-28 on a improved trail and the walking time will be at least fifteen minutes to see the 20 foot vertical drop.

Algonquin Falls

9 1/2 miles north of Bessemer.

Au Train Falls

8 miles south of Au Train or 1 mile north of M-94 on Power Dam Road located on a improved trail with walking time around 15 minutes or less to view the vertical drop of 5-20 feet.

Bathtub Falls

21 miles north of Thomaston on a improved trail with walking time of 45 minutes or more to view the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Big Eric's Falls

From L'Anse Michigan it is 20 miles northeast of Skanee Road, then turn right on Eric's Road, go 1 mile more to the falls from there with only a foot-path and requires a walking time of 15-45 minutes to view the 5-20 feet vertical drop.

Big Falls

7 miles southeast of Skanee.

Big Pup Creek Falls

4 miles south of Big Bay on a unimproved trail and a 15 minute required walking time to view the vertical 20 foot drop.

Black River Falls

8 miles southwest of Ishpeming on a unimproved trail where a required walking time of 15 minutes it will take to view the 20 foot vertical drop.

Bond Falls

3 1/2 miles east of Paulding Michigan on a improved trail and a 45 minute walking time until you can view the almost 60 foot vertical drop.

Boney Falls Dam

9 1/2 miles west of Perkins.

Brule Island Dam

12 miles southeast of Crystal Falls.

Canyon Falls

From L'Anse Michigan go 8 miles south on US-41 eight miles to the Canyon Falls Roadside Park and the walk is less than 15 minutes on a improved trail to view the 20 foot drop.

Carp River Falls

2 1/2 miles southwest of Marquette Michigan on a unimproved trail and a required walking time to reach the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Cascade Falls

6 1/2 miles west of Bergland on a improved trail with a required walking time of 15 to 45 depending upon health and skill to view the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Cataract Dam Falls

3 miles northwest of Princeton.

Chandler Falls

3 miles southwest of Gladstone.

Chapel Falls

Off of H-28 in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore between Miners & Sable Falls it is on a improved trail and a rigorous walk of 45 minutes or more until you may view the vertical drop of 20 feet and over depending upon the season.

Chappee Rapids

5 miles northwest of Menominee.

Chicagon Falls

7 miles northwest of Crystal Falls.

Chipmunk Falls

6.5 miles northwest of Amasa.

Chippewa Falls

9 miles north of Bessemer.

Cliff Falls

12 miles west of Big Bay on a unimproved trail and a 15 minute walk to view the 20 foot vertical drop.

Daults Falls

2 1/2 miles southeast of L'Anse.

Dead River Falls

3 miles northwest of Marquette on a unimproved trail and a 15 minute walk to view the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Deer Creek Falls

7 miles northwest of Bergland.

Duppy Falls

5 miles south of Kenton off Forest Highway 16 on barely a foot-path and a required walk of at least 15 minutes to view the 5 foot or less at times vertical drop.

Eagle River Falls

Located on a improved trail and a 15 minute walk to view the 20 feet vertical drop.

Falls River Falls

From downtown L'Anse you go 2 blocks west of the blinker light where a improved trail and 15 minute walking time will lead you to the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Frohling Falls

6 miles north of Little Lake on a unimproved trail with a required walking time of 15 minutes or less will lead you to the little 5 foot vertical drop.

Fumee Falls

Just off US-2 in Quinnesec you will find a improved trail and a walking time of 15 minutes to find the 20 feet or more vertical drop.

Garbo Falls

2 miles North or Ramsay.

Gorge Falls

10 1/2 miles north of Bessemer on a improved trail with a walking time of 15 to 45 minutes to view the vertical drop of 20 feet.

Granite Rapids Falls

2 miles Southwest of Ramsay.

Great Conglomerate Falls

North of Bessemer on a improved trail and a 15-45 minute walk will take you to a vertical drop of 20 feet, sometime more depending upon the time of the year and rainfall.

Greenstone Falls

Located within the beautiful Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on a improved trail and a walking time of 15 to 45 minutes to discover the 5 to 20 foot vertical drop.

Greenwood Falls

4 miles north of White Pine on a unimproved trail with a required walking time of 15 minutes to witness the 5-20 foot vertical drop.

Haven Falls

8 miles southeast of Eagle Harbor

Haymeadow Falls

8 1/2 miles north of Rapid River.

Hemlock Falls Dam

11 miles north of Crystal Falls.

Hemlock Rapids

2 1/2 miles southwest of Amasa.

Horserace Rapids

7 1/2 miles southeast of Crystal Falls.

Hungarian Falls

1 mile southwest of Lake Linden on barely a trail with a 20 to 45 minute walk to view the 5 to 20 foot drop.

Hydraulic Dam Falls

East of Kingsford

Iagoo Falls

11 miles north of Thomaston.

Interstate Falls

2 miles northwest of Ironwood.

Irish Rapids Falls

2 miles northwest of Rockland.

Jacobs Falls

About 3 miles northeast of Eagle Harbor on a unimproved trail and a 15 minute walk to view the 20 foot vertical drop.

Judson Falls

6 miles east of Marenisco.

Jumbo Falls

1 1/2 miles west of Kenton on M-28, then 1 1/2 miles south of FR-4580 approximately 1/2 miles east on a gravel road, then turn south to the adjacent gravel pit where barley a trail on a 15 minute walk will lead you to the waterfall.

Kakabika Falls

From US-2 go about 14 miles west of Watersmeet, then take County Road 527 north 1/2 miles where a improved trail and a required walking time of 15 minutes will lead you to a vertical falls drop of 5 to 20 feet.

Laughing Whitefish Falls

2 miles south of Sundell on a unimproved trail and walking time of 15 to 45 minutes where a great 30 foot vertical drop awaits you.

Lepisto Falls

10 miles north of Thomaston.

Little Bull Dam

6 1/2 miles southeast of Crystal Falls.

Little Falls

4 miles southeast of Paulding.

Little Garlic Falls

11 miles northwest of historic Marquette on a unimproved trail and a 45 minute walking time will lead you to a 5 to 20 foot vertical drop.

Little Rapids

3 miles east of Sault Ste. Marie.

Little Trap Falls

6 1/2 miles north of Bergland.

Little Union Gorge Falls

2 1/2 miles southwest of Silver City.

Lower Dam Falls

4 1/2 miles southwest of Sidnaw.

Lower Falls-Gratiot River

3 1/2 miles northwest of Ahmeek with barely a trail to follow after a 45 minute or more walk a 5 foot drop can be viewed.

Lower Falls-Montreal River

5 1/2 miles east of Bete Grise with barely a trail to be had and a long 45 minute walking time a 20 foot vertical waterfall can be viewed.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

10 miles west of Paradise on M-123 a improved trail and a 10 minute walk you can discover a 5 to 20 foot vertical drop.

Look for part II coming soon...