Upper Peninsula Waterfalls: One Day of Chasing Waterfalls on Michigan’s UP

Planning a trip to see the Upper Peninsula waterfalls and not sure where to start? I felt the exact same way. If I’m being totally honest, I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary from Michigan’s UP, and then it absolutely blew me away. The Upper Peninsula has more than 300 waterfalls, and it’s home to every one of Michigan’s waterfalls except one. The best part? You can see some of the best waterfalls in the UP in a single day, most of them along one scenic road through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Here’s my one-day UP waterfall road trip from Grand Marais to Marquette, with trail lengths, passes, dog rules, and what’s closed right now.

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The Best Upper Peninsula Waterfalls at a Glance

• Sable Falls: 75-foot cascade near Grand Marais, 168 stairs, dog-friendly
• Miners Falls: 40-foot drop in Pictured Rocks, easy 1.2-mile hike
• Wagner Falls: five-minute boardwalk stroll just outside Munising, free
• Laughing Whitefish Falls: fan-shaped cascade between Munising and Marquette
• Tahquamenon Falls: over 200 feet wide, with a new accessible boardwalk
• Munising Falls: closed until the trail rebuild is finished (expected end of 2027)

Before You Go

Almost every waterfall on this list sits along or just off scenic county road H-58, which runs through Pictured Rocks between Grand Marais and Munising. It’s now fully paved along the Pictured Rocks corridor (it used to be a rough gravel road), so the drive is smooth for cars, RVs, and motorcycles.

You’ll need two different passes for this route: a Pictured Rocks entrance pass for the National Lakeshore falls and a Michigan Recreation Passport for the state park falls. I’ve broken down prices in the planning section at the end.

I stayed in Newberry, so my route ran from Newberry to Marquette. Your starting point may be different depending on where you base yourself.

And for the pups: I didn’t have Loki and Freya with me on this trip, but I’ve flagged dog-friendliness at every stop. Most of these waterfalls welcome leashed dogs, but a few of the bonus hikes don’t allow them at all, and rangers do issue fines.

Steal My One-Day UP Waterfall Road Trip Route

Here’s the order I’d drive it, east to west:

1. Newberry to Tahquamenon Falls: About 30 to 35 minutes up M-123. Do this the day before or first thing in the morning.
2. Newberry to Grand Marais: About 45 minutes up M-77 to start the Pictured Rocks stretch.
3. Grand Marais to Munising along H-58: About an hour of driving, stopping at Sable Falls, the Grand Sable Dunes, Log Slide Overlook, Miners Falls, and Miners Castle along the way.
4. Munising to Wagner Falls: About 5 minutes.
5. Munising to Laughing Whitefish Falls: About 30 to 40 minutes west.
6. Laughing Whitefish Falls to Marquette: About 30 minutes, for a well-earned dinner.

Pictured Rocks Waterfalls

Many of the most famous waterfalls on the Upper Peninsula are inside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and three of them sit right along the H-58 corridor.

Sable Falls (Grand Marais)

Sable Falls is one of the best waterfalls on the Upper Peninsula for the effort: a short, stair-heavy walk to a 75-foot cascade that ends at a Lake Superior beach.

• Location: About one mile west of Grand Marais on H-58, at the eastern end of Pictured Rocks
• Distance: About 0.6 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Easy (but lots of stairs)
• Stairs: 168 steps down to the base
• Fees: Pictured Rocks entrance pass required
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets are allowed on the trail and stairs

This short hike leads to one of my favorite waterfalls of the entire day. Sable Falls tumbles over a cascading slope of sandstone on its way to Lake Superior. There are roughly 168 stairs down to the best viewing area (and yes, 168 back up), but they aren’t difficult.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 5 out of 5

Other things to do near Sable Falls: The trail continues past the falls for a short walk to a rocky beach where Sable Creek meets Lake Superior. This stretch of shoreline is gorgeous, and you can spend ages watching the smooth stones tumble in the surf. The Grand Sable Dunes and Log Slide Overlook are close by and worth a stop, but pets aren’t allowed at either.

Miners Falls (Munising)

Miners Falls is one of the most powerful Pictured Rocks waterfalls, dropping about 40 feet at the end of an easy 1.2-mile round-trip hike through the northwoods.

• Location: Off Miners Castle Road, about five miles north of H-58
• Distance: About 1.2 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Easy
• Stairs: 64 steps down to the lower viewing platform
• Fees: Pictured Rocks entrance pass required
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets allowed

This easy trail follows a gently rolling gravel-and-dirt path to two waterfall overlooks. I hiked this one in the rain and had zero issues with the trail getting slippery. The rushing Miners River pours over a sandstone outcrop, and there are about 64 steps down to the lower platform. The climb back up is easy.

Heads up: Miners Falls is open, but the park has had occasional short trail closures for engineering work ahead of a new staircase, so check the park’s current conditions page before you drive out.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

Other things to do near Miners Falls: Miners Castle is about four minutes down the road. It’s one of the most famous landmarks along the Pictured Rocks shoreline, and it’s the only cliff area in the park you can reach by car (you have to see most of Pictured Rocks by boat). The paved trail to the overlooks is dog-friendly. The Pictured Rocks cliffs hold deep spiritual significance for the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people, who have lived in this area for thousands of years. I always find myself imagining what it must have felt like to paddle up to these cliffs in a birch-bark canoe. No wonder this place meant so much.

Munising Falls (Currently Closed)

Munising Falls is a 50-foot waterfall at the end of a short, shaded walk just outside downtown Munising, but it’s closed until at least the end of 2027.

• Location: Just off Sand Point Road, about two miles northeast of downtown Munising
• Distance: About 0.4 miles round trip (when open)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Fees: Pictured Rocks entrance pass required
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets allowed (when open)

⚠️ Important update: Heavy rain and snowmelt washed out about 75 feet of the paved trail on April 28, 2025, and there’s currently no safe way to view the falls. The National Park Service is rebuilding the trail as an accessible route to the lower overlook, so visitors of all abilities can reach the falls once it reopens. Completion is expected by the end of 2027. The Munising Falls Visitor Center stays open for restrooms, information, and buying your park pass.

When it does reopen, it’s a lovely, easy stroll up a cool, shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the falls, with viewing platforms on each side. On my visit, I took the platform to the right and was so glad I did.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5 (for when it reopens)

A happy accident: As I was leaving Munising Falls, a ranger told me about another waterfall on my way to Marquette, where I was headed for dinner. It wasn’t on my list at all, and it ended up being one of my favorites of the entire day. (Keep reading for Laughing Whitefish Falls!)

Waterfalls Near Munising and Marquette

Wagner Falls (Munising)

Wagner Falls is the easiest waterfall near Munising, a free five-minute boardwalk stroll to a pretty 20-foot cascade, and it’s the perfect swap while Munising Falls is closed.

• Location: About 1.5 miles south of Munising, just off M-94
• Distance: About 0.2 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Easy
• Fees: Free
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets allowed

A short packed-gravel path and boardwalk (with a few stairs at the very end) lead to an observation platform overlooking the falls, tucked among old-growth pine and hemlock. It’s a quick stop for a genuinely beautiful waterfall. Be careful pulling in and out, because the little parking lot sits right on a curve of M-94.

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 out of 5

Laughing Whitefish Falls (Between Munising and Marquette)

Laughing Whitefish Falls is a wide, fan-shaped cascade at the end of an easy one-mile round-trip walk through an old-growth forest gorge, and it’s the most underrated waterfall on this list.

• Location: Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, near Sundell off M-94, about 30 miles west of Munising
• Distance: About 1 mile round trip
• Difficulty: Easy
• Stairs: Upper platform has no stairs; middle platform about 20 stairs; lower platform about 137 stairs
• Fees: Michigan Recreation Passport required
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets allowed

This is the ranger’s recommendation that stole the show. An easy half-mile walk through a picturesque gorge, with old-growth white pine and hemlock towering overhead, leads to the falls. There are three observation platforms at different levels. The upper platform has no stairs, the middle has about 20, and the lower has about 137. Don’t let that stop you, because the view from the bottom is worth every step.

Note: the dirt road into the park can get muddy, cell service is spotty, and the road isn’t plowed in winter (snowshoe or ski access only).

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 5 out of 5

Tahquamenon Falls: The UP’s Most Famous Waterfall

Tahquamenon Falls is the most famous waterfall on the Upper Peninsula: the Upper Falls is over 200 feet wide with a drop of nearly 50 feet, making it one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.

• Location: Tahquamenon Falls State Park, between Newberry and Paradise
• Fees: Michigan Recreation Passport required
• Dog friendly: Yes, leashed pets allowed on park trails

If you’re staying near Newberry or Paradise like I did, Tahquamenon Falls is a must and easily its own half-day. It’s nicknamed “Root Beer Falls” for its amber, tannin-stained water.

Good news: The old 94-step staircase to the brink of the Upper Falls has been replaced by a new 1,100-foot, fully accessible boardwalk that opened in May 2026. Many visitors who couldn’t manage the stairs can now reach the brink for the first time. Optional stairs are still available if you want the closest gorge views.

The Lower Falls, about four miles downstream, is a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. You can walk across a pedestrian bridge or rent a rowboat. And yes, there’s a brewery: Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub sits near the Upper Falls, open daily in season, with dog-friendly outdoor seating. Try the whitefish or a UP pasty.

More Upper Peninsula Waterfalls Worth Adding

If you’re speedy, here are a few more UP waterfalls to fit in.

By foot:

• Mosquito Falls (no dogs allowed, fines enforced)
• Chapel Falls (no dogs allowed, fines enforced)

By boat with Pictured Rocks Cruises:

• Bridalveil Falls
• Spray Falls, which plunges about 70 feet straight into Lake Superior

Planning Your Upper Peninsula Waterfall Trip

How to Get to the Upper Peninsula

Driving is your best bet, because you’ll absolutely need a car once you’re here. Everything is spread way out.

By car: The UP connects to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula by the nearly five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge. The toll is $4 per passenger vehicle, and you can pay with cash, credit/debit (there’s a small card fee), Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a MacPass transponder.

By air: Airports up here tend to be small and pricey. On the UP you can fly into Sawyer International Airport (MQT) near Marquette, Delta County Airport (ESC) in Escanaba, or Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) near Sault Ste. Marie. Traverse City (TVC), down in the Lower Peninsula, is another option.

Passes and Fees

Michigan Recreation Passport (for Tahquamenon, Laughing Whitefish, and other state parks):

• Michigan residents: About $15 for an annual pass added at license-plate renewal; motorcycles about $7
• Non-residents: About $42 annual or about $12 daily

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore entrance pass (for Sable, Miners, and Munising Falls):

• 7-day vehicle pass: $25
• 7-day motorcycle pass: $20
• Per person (walk, bike, or boat in): $15
• Pictured Rocks Annual Pass: $45
• An America the Beautiful pass also covers entry, kids 15 and under are free, and the park is cashless (credit or debit only).

Best Time to See Upper Peninsula Waterfalls

• Spring (mid-April to early May): Peak flow. Snowmelt makes even the smallest falls roar, so this is when they’re most dramatic. Some trails and roads stay muddy or closed into May.
• Summer: Warm, easy hiking weather and long daylight. Flow can drop at the smaller falls in late summer.
• Fall: Waterfalls framed by incredible color. This might be the most beautiful time of all.
• Winter: Many falls freeze into stunning ice formations, but access often requires snowshoes and unplowed roads.

Tips for Your UP Waterfall Road Trip

• Wear waterproof hiking boots. Trails and stairs get slick near the falls, especially after rain.
• Dress in layers. A fleece, rain jacket, beanie, and good hiking socks go a long way up here, even in summer.
• Bug spray is non-negotiable in late spring and summer.
• Cell service is unreliable. Download offline maps and tell someone your plans.
• Check current closures on the park websites before you drive out, because trails here really do close on short notice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Peninsula Waterfalls

How many waterfalls are on the Upper Peninsula?

There are more than 300 waterfalls on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The UP is home to every one of Michigan’s waterfalls except one: Ocqueoc Falls, in the Lower Peninsula.

Where is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

The Upper Peninsula is Michigan’s northernmost part. It’s a wild, forested region bordered by three of the Great Lakes, stretching east from Wisconsin, and it connects to the Lower Peninsula by the Mackinac Bridge.

Why are there so many waterfalls on the Upper Peninsula?

Many UP waterfalls, especially in Pictured Rocks, form where water runs over a shelf of hard sandstone called the Au Train Formation. The softer rock beneath it wears away faster, leaving a hard ledge for the water to tumble over.

What is the best waterfall near Munising?

Miners Falls, Wagner Falls, and Sable Falls are all easy, high-payoff stops near Munising. Munising Falls is normally a favorite, but its trail is closed for reconstruction through at least the end of 2027.

Is Munising Falls open?

No. A washout on April 28, 2025 destroyed part of the only trail, and the falls remain closed while the park rebuilds an accessible trail, expected to finish by the end of 2027. The visitor center stays open.

Do I need a pass to see Upper Peninsula waterfalls?

Often, yes. Falls inside Pictured Rocks (Sable, Miners, Munising) need a Pictured Rocks entrance pass. Falls in state parks (Tahquamenon, Laughing Whitefish) need a Michigan Recreation Passport. Wagner Falls is free.

What is the tallest waterfall on the Upper Peninsula?

Douglass Houghton Falls on the Keweenaw Peninsula is Michigan’s tallest at about 110 feet. The widest is the Upper Tahquamenon Falls, at over 200 feet across.

Are Upper Peninsula waterfalls dog friendly?

Many are. Sable, Miners, Munising, Wagner, Laughing Whitefish, and Tahquamenon all allow leashed dogs. Mosquito Falls, Chapel Falls, the Grand Sable Dunes, and the Log Slide do not allow pets, and they enforce fines.

When is the best time to see UP waterfalls?

Spring snowmelt (mid-April to early May) brings peak volume, and fall brings the color. Summer is easiest for hiking, and winter brings frozen ice formations.

No matter which waterfalls you make it to, you’re going to be blown away by the UP. Have you been? What was your favorite waterfall? Let me know below.

Love chasing waterfalls? Check out my guide to the 11 Must-See Waterfalls in the Smokies, the Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains, and my Ultimate Dog Hiking Gear List for the pups.

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