Michigan is home to more than 300 waterfalls, but almost all of them are located in the Upper Peninsula.
Luckily, there are still plenty of great waterfalls in the lower portion of the state. We’ve rounded up the best in this guide!
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend a day in Michigan, we’ve put together this handy region-based list of must-see waterfalls. Whether you’re looking for a quick stop or an all-day road trip, these waterfalls will be a highlight of your next visit to the state.
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the state of Michigan, Bridalveil Falls is located near Munising along the cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is the tallest of all Michigan waterfalls and flows down a sandstone slide into Lake Superior.
It is best viewed from the water, so you’ll want to take a pictured rocks boat cruise or kayak. Otherwise, you can also see the fall from a distance at the lower Miners Castle overlook or from the west end of Miners Beach.
The falls are fed by snowmelt and spring rains, which tend to slow down to a trickle during dry summers. You’ll want to visit in the spring or early summer when it is in full flow.
Located near Lake Superior in the eastern Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls is made up of two separate sets of waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. One set, the Upper Falls, is the largest waterfall in Michigan.
During the late spring runoff, up to 50,000 gallons of water per second flow down the falls. This makes it the third most voluminous vertical waterfall east of the Mississippi River after Niagara Falls and Cohoes Falls in New York State.
It’s a beautiful spot to visit year-round, but it’s especially stunning in the winter when the Upper Falls freeze over and the river banks become a sea of white. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling are all popular ways to explore the park in winter.
Munising Falls is a 50-foot waterfall that flows down a sandstone cliff. It’s located in the city limits and is easily accessible via a paved trail.
The trail starts near Sand Point Road and leads you down a shaded path that winds by Munising Creek. There are several viewing platforms where you can watch the water fall.
This is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit when visiting the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. It’s also one of the easiest to access.
In addition to the waterfalls, Munising is also home to many museums and historical sites. The Pictured Rocks Interpretive Center is a great place to start your tour of the area’s history. It has displays that tell the story of the community, its industry, and its people.
Jacobs Falls is a pretty waterfall that's not too far from Lake Superior in the Keweenaw Peninsula. It's a 20-foot drop that you can see from the roadside on M-26, which is 3 miles northeast of Eagle River.
It is part of a series of drops along Jacobs Creek as it rushes down to Lake Superior. This is one of our favorite waterfalls to visit on a trip to Michigan because it's so easy and accessible.
Visitors can pull over at the parking area and hike up to the main fall. Then, if you're up for it, there are several more drops in the creek that you can find from the trail.
Yellow Dog Falls is a beautiful waterfall northwest of Marquette that can be seen in the fall when the leaves turn colors. It is located in a part of the McCormick Wilderness that is popular with hikers and photographers.
A short trail leads hikers to a 20-foot waterfall that flows around a large boulder. Water also cascades through several other rapids and small falls along the Yellow Dog River.
Visiting this area is a must for visitors to the region. It is located in the northeast corner of the McCormick Wilderness and is a beautiful place to see the fall colors.
