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October 12, 2021

One Day Of Chasing Waterfalls On The Upper Peninsula

Upper Peninsula

Are you planning a trip to the Upper Peninsula but don’t know where to start when it comes to waterfalls? The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a wild and wonderful escape, but if I’m being totally honest, I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t anticipating anything extraordinary, but the UP absolutely blew me away.  There are more than 300 waterfalls scattered across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and it is home to all of the waterfalls in the Great Lakes State except for one. If you want to make a day of waterfall chasing while in the Upper Peninsula it’s incredibly easy and all of the waterfalls are beautiful! So which waterfalls should you see on your one day of chasing in the Upper Peninsula?

One Day Of Chasing Waterfalls On The UP Of Michigan
 [show]
  • The Basics: Upper Peninsula Of Michigan 
    • Where Is The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan?
    • How Do I Get To The Upper Peninsula?
      • Driving:
      • Air: 
    • Why Are There So Many Waterfalls On The Upper Peninsula?
    • How Do I Get To The Waterfalls?
  • One Day Of Chasing Waterfalls In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan
    • Sable Falls – Grand Marais 
      • Sable Falls Trail 
    • Miners Falls – Munising 
      • Miners Falls Trail 
    • Munising Falls – Munising 
      • Munising Falls Trail 
    • Laughing Whitefish Falls – Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park 
      • Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail 
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This article may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see the affiliate disclaimer here.

The Basics: Upper Peninsula Of Michigan 

Where Is The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan?

Exactly where it sounds like – The Upper Peninsula is the northernmost portion of Michigan. It is a forested region bordered by 3 of the Great Lakes (peninsula) and it extends outward from Wisconsin. 

Upper Peninsula

How Do I Get To The Upper Peninsula?

Your best bet for the Upper Peninsula is driving because you will need a car once you are there. Everything is incredibly spread out. 

Driving:

The UP is connected to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula by the nearly 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge, which spans the Straits of Mackinac.

  • Cost: $4 toll per car 

Air: 

There are several airport options but all will be costly and most are small. On the UP, you can fly into Marquette Airport (MQT), which is roughly 50.5 miles away from the Mackinac Bridge. 

Other nearby options include Escanaba (ESC), 50.8 miles, Sault Ste Marie (YAM), 90.4 miles,  and Traverse City (TVC) at 110.2 miles.

Yes, you will need a rental car in the UP. 

Why Are There So Many Waterfalls On The Upper Peninsula?

Many of the waterfalls in the UP are found in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. And for good reasons, they are the result of water running over a shelf or cliff of sandstone (called the Au Train Formation).  This particular geologic formation resists erosion better than the softer sandstone layers that are just below it. 

Upper Peninsula

How Do I Get To The Waterfalls?

Most of the waterfalls can be explored on foot (and all of the waterfalls on this list can be), and honestly the trails are easy and short for the payoff of these amazing waterfalls.

Here are a few tips: 

  • Wear Waterproof Hiking Boots – like these or these
  • Dress In Layers – My favorites: Sweatshirt/Fleece, Rain Jacket, Beanie, Hiking Socks

All of the following waterfalls can be found along route H-58…

Keep In Mind: I stayed in Newberry and the starting point may be different depending on where you stay. My route was from Newberry to Marquette.

Also, if you have your pups with you, this list will work for you! I didn’t have Loki and Freya with me but all of these trails are dog friendly! 

One Day Of Chasing Waterfalls In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan

Sable Falls – Grand Marais 

Upper Peninsula

Sable Falls Trail 

  • Distance: .6 Miles 
  • Rating: Easy 
  • Elevation Gain: 101 Ft 
  • Dog Friendly

This trail is good for all skill levels and the payoff for this short hike was one of my favorite waterfalls of the day! Sable Falls tumbles over 75 feet on a cascading slope of sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior. The trail features roughly 168 stairs (as many of the trails on today’s list do) but they aren’t difficult to navigate. 

Upper Peninsula
Well Worn Shoes Rating: 5 Out Of 5

Other Things To Do At Sable Falls: 

Upper Peninsula

The Sable Falls trail continues past the falls for a short walk to a rock beach where Sable Creek flows into Lake Superior. This lakeshore of Superior is gorgeous and you can spend hours looking at the smooth stones that tumble up with the tide. 

Miners Falls – Munising 

Miners Falls Trail 

  • Distance: 1.2 Miles 
  • Rating: Easy 
  • Elevation Gain: 154 Ft 
  • Dog Friendly 
Upper Peninsula

This easy trail features a gently rolling gravel and dirt path through the northwoods that leads to two waterfall overlooks. I hiked this in the rain and had no issues with the trail becoming slippery. You can enjoy the views of Miners Basin along the trail. The rapidly flowing Miners River drops about 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop, creating one of the Painted Rocks National Lakeshore’s most powerful waterfalls. There are about 64 steps to the lower viewing platform and it’s an easy climb down. 

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 Out Of 5

Other Things To Do At Miners Falls: 

Miners Castle – Drive Time: 4 Minutes 

Upper Peninsula

Just 4 minutes down the road from Miners Falls you will find Miners Castle. This is one of the most famous landmarks along the Pictured Rocks shoreline, and it is the only cliff area in the park accessible by vehicle. Most of the Pictured Rocks need to be viewed by boat. This is another dog friendly option.

Interestingly, this area and the Pictured Rocks cliffs hold a spiritual significance to the indigenous people who once called this place home, the Ojibwa (or Chippewa). Does anyone else ever imagine canoeing or exploring and finding these beautiful places? Or what they must have thought seeing those cliffs in their birch bark canoes? It’s not wonder this gorgeous place held spiritual significance. 

Munising Falls – Munising 

Upper Peninsula

Munising Falls Trail 

  • Distance: .4 Miles 
  • Rating: Easy 
  • Elevation Gain: 39 Ft 
  • Dog Friendly 

On this easy trail you stroll about 800-feet up a cool shaded canyon path along Munising Creek to the base of the falls. There are two sets of stairs leading to viewing platforms on each side of this 50-foot waterfall as it drops over a sandstone cliff. I chose the viewing platform to the right and I was so glad that I did! 

Upper Peninsula

As I was leaving Munising Falls a ranger told me about another waterfall on my way to Marquette where I was planning to grab dinner. Laughing Whitefish Falls, and while it wasn’t originally on my list, it ended up being one of my favorites of the entire day. 

Well Worn Shoes Rating: 4 Out Of 5

Laughing Whitefish Falls – Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park 

Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail 

  • Distance: 1 Mile 
  • Rating: Easy 
  • Elevation Gain: 121 Ft 
Upper Peninsula

This easy hike through a picturesque gorge with old-growth white pine and hemlock trees towering above takes you to a beautiful cascading waterfall. There are three observation platforms to view the falls from different levels and these do have stairs. The upper platform only has about 20 stairs, while the lower has about 137. Don’t let that stop you because the views from the bottom are worth a few stairs! 

Upper Peninsula
Well Worn Shoes Rating: 5 Out Of 5

These 4 waterfalls along with other stops along the way, I highly recommend: Grand Sable Dunes and Log Slide Overlook, will take up your entire day of chasing waterfalls! Honestly, it’s a leisurely day worth of easy waterfalls that is perfect!

But if you are speedy and get through them quicker then I did here are a few more options: 

By Foot: 

  • Tahquamenon Falls
  • Wagner Falls
  • Mosquito Falls
  • Chapel Falls 
Upper Peninsula

By Boat: 

  • Bridalveil Falls 
  • Spray Falls 

No matter what waterfalls you get to see on your trip to the Upper Peninsula, you are sure to be impressed by these gorgeous cascading features. Whatever you do, don’t skip a day of chasing waterfalls on your next trip to the Upper Peninsula! Have you been to the UP? What was your favorite waterfall?

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Love chasing waterfalls? Check Out: 11 Can’t Miss Waterfalls In The Smokies

Posted In: Dog Friendly, Hiking, One Day In, United States · Tagged: Dog Friendly, Michigan, One Day In, Upper Peninsula

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Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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If your dog had thumbs, they’d book the trip the If your dog had thumbs, they’d book the trip themselves. 

This is your proof that Acadia isn’t just for lobster rolls and lighthouses—it’s a pup’s paradise too.

Acadia is basically a VIP playground for pups:
🐕 Carriage Roads = 45 miles of tail-wagging freedom
💦 Jordan Pond = picturesque vibes + hydration station
🌲 Forest trails = 14/10 sniffability
🪑 Picnic spots = ideal for treat negotiations

My adventure sidekick gave it two paws up and one muddy belly.
Because the only thing better than chasing views?

Watching them chase squirrels (and dreams).

Whether you’re leash-training a trail newbie or rolling with a seasoned wilderness woof, Acadia is a doggo-approved escape that doesn’t skimp on the wow.

Save this post for your next pup-friendly adventure 🐶⛰️ and tag your favorite trail buddy below!

Got a national park recs for dogs? Drop it—I’m building the ultimate paw-approved list. 🗺️🐾
Happy 5th Birthday to my beautiful wolfy princess Happy 5th Birthday to my beautiful wolfy princess Freya!! 

Aka Bean, Beany, Frey Bean, Puffin, Puffin Butt, Puff, Frey, Frey Baby! 

Our champion digger, dancing for dinner, will never pass up people food girly! 

Frey is the the sweetest, most sassy, funny girl! We love you Frey, how is this girl 5? 🥹🥰
If you’ve ever set a 4:45 AM alarm on purpose, t If you’ve ever set a 4:45 AM alarm on purpose, this one’s for you.
You might be turning into a full-fledged sunrise chaser if:
1. You have a favorite gas station coffee stop. And you defend it like it’s a Michelin star.
2. You’ve whispered “worth it” while watching the sky catch fire over a canyon rim.
3. You pack snacks, layers, and existential gratitude.
4. You’ve cried at the quiet. Not like sobbing—more like a one-tear, “wow this planet” moment.
5. You don’t see the sunrise—you feel it. Especially when the trail’s still cool and your boots are the only ones around.

Sunrises make the world feel brand new. They’re chaotic good energy for your soul and free therapy wrapped in golden light. ✨

📍Swipe for some of my favorite sunrise moments (featuring that sunrise glow, quiet trails, and questionable early morning decision-making)
If You’re Weekend Plans Include: 
✔️ Wande If You’re Weekend Plans Include: 
✔️ Wander barefoot through powdery white dunes
✔️ Pretend you’re on the moon
✔️ Eat snacks like it’s a competitive sport
⁠
White Sands is a VIBE. And yes, it’s worth every single granule of sand you’ll find in your shoes (or camper) for the next 3 months. 🤍🏜️

🐾 It’s also incredibly dog friendly!! That’s right - the pups can join you in this epic park!
⁠
Drop a 🌙 if you’re craving a little otherworldly adventure.

👣 Follow @thewellwornshoes for more places that feel too dreamy to be real

🛑🛑🛑 We always follow leash laws and our dogs are leashed in National Parks (some leashes edited out of photos - some just hidden)

🐾 Peep baby Cal on her first trip to White Sands 😍
Nature called—and it’s sending you bear hugs a Nature called—and it’s sending you bear hugs and turkey struts. 🐻🦃🦌
⁠
Cades Cove is basically Disney’s Bambi... but in real life and with more scenic roadblocks.
⁠
🎯 Pro Tip: Early mornings = all the wildlife sightings (and fewer crowds - we had maybe 6 cars in front of us). Sunset is juts as beautiful but you’ll be dealing with larger crowds. 
⁠
🐾 Drop your dream wildlife sighting below 👇

👣 Follow @thewellwornshoes for more “WHAT. A. DAY.” energy
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