10 Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls in Michigan

Written by Volia Schubiger
Published: April 22, 2022
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There are hundreds of waterfalls in Michigan – over 300, to be more exact. They are surrounded by protected wilderness reserves. Therefore, this makes their natural isolation even more spectacular. The Upper Peninsula has the highest concentration of waterfalls, as well as some of the most beautiful. However, in this list, we’ll be focusing on all of the gorgeous waterfalls throughout the state. After seeing how stunning these waterfalls in Michigan are, you’ll be adding them to your bucket list of places to visit.

Discover the most awe-inspiring waterfalls in Michigan! 

1. Ocqueoc Falls

Ocqueoc Falls

Ocqueoc Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan’s lower peninsula.

©Richard345/Shutterstock.com

Ocqueoc Falls
Located In:Presque Isle County, MI 
Nearby Attractions:Hoeft State Park
Animals to See:Blue-spotted heron, American goldfinch

Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is home to the country’s first universally accessible waterfall, the Oqueoc Falls. In addition to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, Ocquoec boasts three defined loops, offering approximately six miles of recreational activities. Therefore, for a longer stay, consider staying at a nearby state forest campground overnight and returning the following morning. Since the loops can be pretty long, this allows you to better enjoy more of the Michigan waterfalls.

Now, let’s find out more about one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Michigan.

2. Hungarian Falls

hungarian falls

The mighty Hungarian Falls of Tamarack is a spectacular cascade of falls tumbling over the Keweenaw Peninsula.

©SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

Hungarian Falls
Located In:Houghton County, Michigan
Nearby Attractions:Keweenaw National Historical Park
Animals to See:Bats, Moose

The Keweenaw Peninsula’s most beautiful waterfall is the Hungarian Falls in Hubbell near Escanaba. Hungarian Falls consists of three waterfalls: Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls. Upper Falls cascades 20 feet down the rock face into a valley and flows in various portions. Because of the way the water here flows, the best time to see these falls is when the water level is high.

3. Bond Falls 

bond falls

Bond Falls has a fifty-foot drop across a large strip of cracked rock, resulting in multiple tiny cascades.

©SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

Bond Falls
Located In:Ontonagon County, MI
Nearby Attractions:Ottawa National Forest
Animals to See:Coyotes, Wolves 

Bond Falls, in Paulding in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is one of the most gorgeous and iconic waterfalls in Michigan. One of the unique things about this waterfall is that it is not a single cascade falling into a pool. Bond Falls, on the other hand, is a succession of waterfalls tumbling over jagged rocks, with many smaller falls dropping roughly 50 feet on their way to the bottom. Generally speaking, Bond Falls’ popularity stems in part from its ease of access. The falls are accessible through a boardwalk and six designated viewing areas.

4. Spray Falls

spray falls

Spray Falls cascades 70 feet from the cliff’s edge into Lake Superior.

©Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock.com

Spray Falls
Located In:Munising Township, MI 
Nearby Attractions:Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 
Animals to See:Songbirds, Butterflies 

One of the most isolated and magnificent waterfalls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is Spray Falls. This is because water cascades for 70 feet through the cliffs at Pictured Rocks and into Lake Superior. As a result, you can reach the falls by hiking 1.5 miles back on the North Country National Scenic Trail from Little Beaver Lake Campground. Or, if you’re not in the mood to hike, then you can take advantage of some of the boat tours in the area. 

5. Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls is the Eastern United States’ second-largest waterfall.

©Weidman Photography/Shutterstock.com

Tahquamenon Falls
Located In:Paradise, MI
Nearby Attractions:Tahquamenon Falls State Park 
Animals to See:Bald eagles, Porcupines 

The upper falls of Tahquamenon Falls are 200 feet wide and 50 feet tall, making it the largest waterfall in Michigan. The lower falls are about 4 miles downstream and consist of five smaller falls encircling a small island. Because of its large size, around the peak of spring runoff, Upper Tahquamenon Falls has 50,000 gallons of water gushing over the edge every second. As a result, it’s the second most spectacular waterfall east of the Mississippi, right after Niagara Falls.

Following the most spectacular waterfall east of the Mississippi, we have one that has been known to hold tons of mineral deposits.

6. Miners Falls

miners falls

These falls take their name from the Miners River.

©Craig Sterken/Shutterstock.com

Miners Falls
Located In:Alger County, Michigan
Nearby Attractions:Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Animals to See:Red fox, Opossums 

Miners Falls is one of the most beautiful and accessible waterfalls in Michigan. The waterfall is in Munising, which is part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This park’s most impressive waterfall is formed by the Miners River, which drops about 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop. Another fun fact is that the trail to the waterfall is a particularly lovely walk in the spring. This is because this is the time of the year when wildflowers abound.

7. Horseshoe Falls

horseshoe falls

Horseshoe Falls, located in Munising, is a beautiful, privately owned waterfall.

©John McCormick/Shutterstock.com

Horseshoe Falls
Located In:Munising, MI 
Nearby Attractions:Sand Point Beach
Animals to See:Eastern Chipmunk, Common Snapping Turtle 

Unlike most of the other major waterfalls in Michigan, Horseshoe Falls is privately owned, so it requires an admission fee. However, it is quite worth it as many visitors continue to rave about this waterfall. The breathtaking Horseshoe Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is fed by springs and located near Munising. While there are several other waterfalls in the area, Horseshoe Falls is the only one that’s always flowing due to the spring that feeds it. Given that the water here is always flowing, Horseshoe Falls is a great waterfall to visit no matter the season.

8. Manabezho Falls

Manabezho Falls

Manabezho Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the Presque Isle River.

©Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock.com

Manabezho Falls
Located In:Gogebic County, Michigan
Nearby Attractions:Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Animals to See:Black bears, River otters 

At the end of the Presque Isle River, in the Porcupine Mountains, is Manabezho Falls, the largest waterfall in this area. It’s got a 25-foot drop and a 150-foot crest, so it’s one of the biggest waterfalls on the river. Water cascades down rock levels into the water below at varying depths, which makes the waterfall a vibrant scene. The foliage around Manabezho Falls in the fall is especially gorgeous, providing a beautiful framing around the water. Therefore, make it a priority to visit during the fall weather!

9. Rock River Falls

rock river falls

This untamed waterfall can be found in the Rock River Wilderness Area, north of Chatham.

©Craig Sterken/Shutterstock.com

Rock River Falls
Located In:Alger County, MI 
Nearby Attractions:Hiawatha National Forest
Animals to See:Monarch butterflies, Rabbits 

Rock River Falls is located in the Hiawatha National Forest’s Rock River Wilderness Area, about north of Chatham. Although the falls are not well marked, they are not difficult to find. With the running water hurling off the rocks, the falls have a 15-foot drop and a fanned-out effect. Because this waterfall is more isolated and harder to reach, it is recommended that you wear a comfortable pair of shoes. Above all, give yourself plenty of time to get there, so you don’t feel rushed.

10. Potawatomi Falls

potowatomi falls

Potawatomi Falls is one of five waterfalls on the Black River in Gogebic County, Michigan.

©James W. Thompson/Shutterstock.com

Potawatomi Falls
Located In:Gogebic County, MI
Nearby Attractions:Black River Scenic Byway
Animals to See:Whitetail Deer, Waterfowl Birds

Finally, on its way to Black River Harbor, the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway is home to five beautiful waterfalls. As a result, on the way over, there are signs explaining the unique rock formations that the water frequently rushes over. However, the easiest to get to is Potawatomi Falls in Ironwood, but there are still a lot of stairs to climb – so don’t say we didn’t warn you! 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Volia Schubiger is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half.

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