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Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore
Michigan

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/ Waterfalls

Waterfalls

Why So Many Waterfalls?

Most of the waterfalls in this area 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.

The Waterfalls site bulletin lists the major waterfalls in

and around the national lakeshore. 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

NPS photo / Brenda St. Martin

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 the cool shaded

sandstone canyon along Munising Creek to the base of
the falls. Two sets of stairs lead to platforms to view 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.

Pets are permitted on the trail to Munising Falls.

Miners Falls

NPS photo / Ed Lasich

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

A 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 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. Miners Falls Trail
Guide (pdf)

Pets are not permitted on the trail to Miners Falls, but

are allowed in the parking lot and picnic area.

Bridalveil Falls

NPS photo

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 slows to a trickle in the

summer and fall. Bridalveil Falls is often featured on
postcards and publications about Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore.

Mosquito Falls

NPS photo

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

NPS photo

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 1.5 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

NPS photo

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

Sable Falls tumbles 75 feet over several cliffs of

Munising and Jacobsville sandstone formations on its
way to Lake Superior. The first viewing platform is
down a long staircase of 169 steps. The walk from the
parking area to this staircase is a short one.

The trail continues past the falls for about a half-mile

down to a rock beach where Sable Creek flows into
Lake Superior.

Pets are not permitted on the Sable Falls trails or

staircase, but are allowed in the parking lot and picnic
area.

Spray Falls

NPS photo / Gregg Bruff

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 Trail.
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.

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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Last updated: June 2, 2018

CONTACT THE PARK ›

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 40
Munising, MI 49862
Phone:
(906) 387-3700

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