The Ultimate Michigan Waterfall Road Trip Will Take You To 9 Scenic Spots In The State
By Serena Maria Daniels|Updated on January 11, 2023(Originally published January 08, 2023)
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Serena Maria Daniels
Author
Serena Maria Daniels is an award-winning freelance journalist in Detroit, by way of Chicago, by way of the West Coast. She writes about Michigan for OIYS. Serena enjoys learning about language and culture and taking road trips with her beagle Ralph.
You’ve been planning a road trip in the Upper Peninsula for the longest time, but you just haven’t quite figured out how to maximize your time. Do you zigzag from one quaint mining town to the next? Do you focus on one specific area? How about touring one of Michigan’s unsung heroes, our state’s gorgeous waterfalls? All but maybe one of the 200 waterfalls in the Mitten are in the Upper Peninsula, which of course, means that you’ll have an up close and personal view of some of the best waterfalls in Michigan. This epic Michigan waterfall tour will help you do exactly that.
We’ve ID’d some of the very best, which will take you from close to the Wisconsin border, east to nearly the full length of the UP, all in a day-long trip. The trip takes just over eight hours to complete. We have included a link to the Google Map so you can follow along.
We start our journey here in Ironwood Township, a short distance from the Wisconsin border. The Potawatomi Falls are part of the Black River Scenic Byway, and have long been considered one of the best waterfalls in Michigan.
Also on the Black River is Gabbro Falls, a more wild falls that features three separate drops. It's an impressive waterfall, and it's caught in a large crack of rock just outside the city of Wakefield, Michigan. Check out this stunning 4k video of Gabbro Falls:
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3. Manabezho Falls
Manabezho Falls, Wakefield Township, MI 49938, USA
Next, we head to Porcupine Mountains State Park, where we find Manido Falls, which sits on the Presque Isle River. It's no mystery as to why this is one of the most popular waterfalls in Michigan.
Munising Falls is next, and it can be found nestled in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It's one of the most popular destinations in the UP. It features a 50 foot drop, and although the amount of water tends to be small, it's still an exceptional addition to this Michigan waterfall road trip.
Pictured Rocks is home to a number of waterfalls, as you can see... Miners Falls is another beauty there. Keep in mind, there are 77 steps down to the viewing platform, even though Miners Falls is only a half mile from the parking lot. The falls drop over 40 feet from an incredible sandstone outcrop. Even if it's not considered the best waterfall in Michigan, it is one of the most unique.
Sable Falls is also located in Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore, and can be found in the easternmost portion of the park itself. The falls tumble a solid 75-feet over a fractured series of sandstone formations, which results in one of the most stunning, forested views in the state.
9. Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls, McMillan Township, MI 49768, USA
Finally, we head to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where you find perhaps some of the most stunning waterfalls in all of Michigan. It's one of the most massive waterfalls east of the Mississippi, and remains a local favorite as well as a nationally known darling. This amazing drone footage shows what this epic waterfall looks like at its most amazing:
There it is, folks. A beautiful waterfall road trip in Michigan. We’ve covered so much ground in the UP, including some gorgeous falls on Lake Superior, some stops at the popular state and national park spaces, and some inland waterfalls that are no less beautiful to gaze upon.
While it’s still early in the year, we encourage you to plan ahead for your next springtime adventure. Who knows? You may just stumble upon one of the best waterfalls in Michigan.
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