Heavy spring runoff damaged the path to Munising Falls and forced the National Park Service to close the easy-to-view cascade, but Michigan still offers stunning views at waterfalls across the state that are just as easy to visit.
The National Park Service has indefinitely closed the Munising Falls area after weather damage washed away about 75 feet of the trail to the falls. However, with more than 300 waterfalls statewide, Michigan continues to provide options to explore the cascading natural wonders, according to Pure Michigan.
“Spring brings the roar of winter’s melt, and in summer, weather that’s perfect for falls-focused picnics and more,” Pure Michigan’s website says.
Here’s what to know.
What is Munising Falls?
The 50-foot tall waterfall dives over a sandstone cliff in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The walk up to the falls is an 800-foot paved trail in a canyon along Munising Creek, and a viewing platform with two flights of stairs offers further views.
The area includes benches, parking for cars, buses and RVs, toilet access, pet access and trash and recycling services.
Why is Munising Falls closed?
Heavy rains and melting snow washed away roughly 75 feet of the paved Munising Falls trail on April 28, according to the National Park Service. Due to the damage, there is currently no safe path to the 50-foot waterfall, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Damage to the Munising Falls trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Bond Falls features nearby parking area, boardwalk across river
Bond Falls is on the middle branch of the Ontonagon river, with a 50-foot-tall drop of several cascading layers. Located in southern Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula, the site provides a scenic tourist destination.
Access includes roadside parking and picnic tables near the top of the falls and a paved trail to a 600-foot wooden boardwalk with multiple viewing locations.
Ocqueoc Falls offers Lower Peninsula viewing
Ocqueoc Falls lies on the Ocqueoc River in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. To access the falls, park at the day-use area and walk the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway to the viewing area.
The Alpena Michigan website calls the falls the nation’s first universally accessible falls. There’s a paved trail from the parking lot to the waterfall, two accessible picnic areas and several accessible benches.
The area includes around 6 miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, and a state forest campground with a hardwood forest.
Wagner Falls Scenic Site south of Munising
The 20-foot waterfall lies south of Munising in the Upper Peninsula. The site provides an accessible viewing spot just off M-94. Wagner Falls is accessible from a packed-gravel trail, boardwalk and steps leading to an observation platform 0.1 miles from the parking area.
The site does not include restrooms or water access. Pets are allowed on a 6-foot leash under the control of their owner. The area includes a portion of the North Country Trail, which runs along M-94 and enters the Hiawatha National Forest 2 miles west of the site.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
The popular tourist destination includes the 200-foot wide, 48-foot tall upper Tahquamenon Falls, with the five lower falls about 4 miles downstream.
Nicknamed the “root beer falls” due to the water’s amber color, the waterfalls lie in the nearly 50,000-acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Peninsula.
Upper Tahquamenon Falls is shown in this 2018 photo. The 200-feet-wide Upper Falls, located in Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the rural community of Paradise in the Upper Peninsula, is one the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.
The state park features campgrounds, a boat launch, over 35 miles of trails and a variety of wildlife species.
At the falls, there is parking within easy walking distance, as well as paved, wooden boardwalk and some natural trails. A new bridge above the lower falls allows visitors to access an island in the river without renting a boat.
Scott Falls along M-28
Within the Hiawatha National Forest, Scott Falls lies along M-28 in Alger County in the Upper Peninsula — easily visible from the road if you’re watching for the small sign.
The 10-foot-tall waterfall drops over a sandstone edge into a pool below right next to the highway.
The falls are easily accessible from the highway and located across the road from H.J. Rathfoot Roadside Park.
Canyon Falls drops into dramatic box canyon
South of L’Anse, in Baraga County, Canyon Falls lies on the Sturgeon River. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Upper Peninsula, the site includes a 30-foot tall waterfall and slate gorge below the cascade.
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The falls can be reached from U.S. 41 at a roadside park, by hiking a short trail. The North Country Trail continues through the park and along the river. Parts of the trail are natural while others are wooden boardwalk.
Presque Isle River waterfalls
The Presque Isle River Waterfalls Loop Trail features three waterfalls within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula. All three falls are within a short walk from the road, there is a bridge over the river downstream and a state park campground nearby.
Manabezho Falls
These 25-foot-tall falls lie on the Presque Isle River within the state park.
The site can be accessed from the Presque Isle entrance of CR-519 from the western end of the park. A walking path leads to steps at different levels, including an overlook at the top of the falls.
Manido Falls
These falls feature a total 20-foot drop along the Presque Isle River in the park. The name derives from the Ojibwe word meaning spirit or ghost.
The site can be accessed from a hiking trail to a set of stairs with an overlook above the falls.
Nawadaha Falls
These falls along the Presque Isle River within the park reach a height of 15 feet, low falls cascading over several layers of a rocky shelf. A short hiking trail and viewing platform provides access to the falls. There is parking at the falls.
Miners Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Located within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, these 50-foot tall falls can be found 10 miles northeast of Munising in the Upper Peninsula. The falls dive off the side of a cliff, surrounded by a forested area.
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This waterfall is a 0.6 mile walk from the parking lot, located half a mile off Miners Castle Road. The area includes parking, a restroom, trash and recycling services, an information kiosk and more.
The Detroit Free Press contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Best waterfalls to visit in northern Michigan in 2025