7 Stunning Waterfalls Near Mackinaw City
Discover the best waterfalls near Mackinaw City.
Mackinaw City is one of the best destinations to visit in Michigan. When visiting, you should of course check out some of the top sites in the area, such as the Mackinac Bridge and Mackinac Island. However, what many people don’t realize is that there are also beautiful waterfalls near Mackinaw City. These scenic waterfalls are worth visiting as a day trip to explore more of Michigan’s natural beauty.
As a local Michigander, I’ve traveled across the state exploring many of the incredible places around Mackinaw City. Based on these experiences, I’ve put together this list of some of the best waterfalls that are within driving distance of Mackinaw City.
These waterfalls include a mix of everything, from Michigan’s largest waterfall Tahquamenon Falls to Ocqueoc Falls which is a hidden gem waterfall in the Lower Peninsula.
Waterfalls near Mackinaw City
While there aren’t any waterfalls directly in Mackinaw City, there are plenty of them that are within driving distance. All the waterfalls listed below are a 2-hour or less drive from Mackinaw, so you could easily visit as a day trip or stay 1-2 nights to further explore the area surrounding the falls.
1. Tahquamenon Falls
WHERE? Paradise, MI | ENTRY FEE? Yes
Tahquamenon Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan, and it is an incredible place to visit
year-round. Two waterfalls make up Tahquamenon Falls, the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls.
The falls are located in Tahquamenon State Park, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is around 84 miles from Mackinaw City, so it is possible to visit as a day trip or stay a few days and explore more of the Upper Peninsula.
The Upper Falls is the most famous of the two waterfalls. It is an impressive 200 feet wide and drops about 50 feet. During the spring, there can be up to 50,000 gallons of water flowing through it per second, making it one of the most voluminous waterfalls on the eastern side of the United States.
The Lower Falls is also quite beautiful and consists of 5 small cascading waterfalls that flow around an island. At the Lower Falls, you can view the waterfall from the Rainbow Bridge or even rent a rowboat to see the waterfall closer.
To get to the Upper Falls, you will follow a paved path to the viewing area. The path is relatively short and is less than a half mile long. For a closer look, you can also descend 94 steps to another viewing area. About 4 miles down from the Upper Falls, you will reach the Lower Falls.
In addition to seeing the impressive waterfalls, there are also many hiking trails in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, so it is a great place to spend time in nature. You can also take a riverboat tour of the falls, go fishing, or stop by the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub for a bite to eat.
2. Ocqueoc Falls
WHERE? Ocqueoc, MI| ENTRY FEE? No
Ocqueoc Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The falls are located
around a 50-minute drive southeast of Mackinaw City, in the town of Ocqueoc.
You can easily visit this waterfall on a day trip from Mackinaw City or if you want to stay longer you can check out the Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground which has rustic campsites.
This is a cascading waterfall that drops around 5 feet over 3 different ledges. While this waterfall is pretty small compared to many of the Upper Peninsula waterfalls, it is worth checking out as it is one of the only ones in the Lower Peninsula.
One of the best parts about visiting this waterfall is that you can dip your feet in the water
around it or even go for a refreshing swim, which is perfect for a warm sunny day.
Another great aspect of Ocqueoc Falls is that it is accessible for those with limited mobility, and wheelchairs can even access the water through a deck ramp.
Around the waterfall, there are a few different hiking and biking trails that are between 3 to
6-mile long loops. There is also a picnic area near the falls which is a perfect place to bring a lunch.
This waterfall is open year-round, and it is possible to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the trails during the winter.
3. Sable Falls
WHERE? Burt Township, MI | ENTRY FEE? Yes
Sable Falls is located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which is one of the most visited destinations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As Pictured Rocks is so popular, there is an entrance fee of $20 per vehicle for a 7-day pass to the park.
This waterfall is located in the easternmost portion of Pictured Rocks, near the town of Grand Marais. It is around a 2-hour drive from Mackinaw City, so it might be a good idea to stay 1-2 nights in the area and explore this part of the Upper Peninsula.
Sable Falls is a beautiful waterfall that cascades down 75 feet over Munising and Jacobsville sandstone. Nearby the waterfall is also Sable Beach, which is a sandy beach on Lake Superior.
To access Sable Falls, there is a short trail from the parking lot that goes to a set of stairs. The stairs are around 168 steps but will lead you to a viewing platform with an excellent view of the waterfall.
The best time to visit Sable Falls is during the summer, as the area is filled with lush greenery and you can also enjoy visiting the beach.
4. Munising Falls
WHERE? Munising, MI | ENTRY FEE? Yes
Munising Falls is a scenic waterfall that drops about 50 feet over a sandstone cliff. It is located within the city limits of Munising, which makes it easy to access.
Getting to the waterfall is simple and there is a visitors center and parking lot on site. From the visitors center, it is just a short walk along an 800 ft paved trail to reach the waterfall. At the end of the trail, you will find 2 sets of stairs that lead to the viewing platforms.
Munising Falls can be visited year-round. In the spring and summer, the area surrounding the waterfall is filled with greenery and wildflowers, while in the fall there is colorful fall foliage to see.
Winter is also a unique time to visit this waterfall as it can freeze and form dramatic icicles. The snow-covered landscape and frozen icicles make this spot turn into the perfect winter
wonderland, and it is worth checking out.
5. Miners Falls
WHERE? Munising, MI | ENTRY FEE? Yes
Miners Falls is another waterfall that is located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This waterfall is on the western portion of the park, not far from Munising, Michigan. It is around a 2-hour drive north of Mackinaw City.
Miners Falls is a fast-flowing waterfall that drops 50 feet over a sandstone cliff. It is a very
beautiful waterfall and is one of the more popular waterfalls in Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore.
To access the waterfall, you will walk a little over a half mile to the viewing platform. There is an upper viewing platform, or you can take the stairs down to the lower viewing platform. Both will give you a scenic view of the waterfall.
The best time to visit Miners Falls is in the late spring and early summer, as the spring runoff makes the waterfall full of volume. There are also lots of wildflowers at this time of year, which add to the natural beauty of the area.
6. Chapel Falls
WHERE? Munising, MI | ENTRY FEE? Yes
Chapel Falls is one of the more remote waterfalls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but it is still a very popular waterfall to visit. In fact, during the summer months, the parking area for this waterfall can fill up quickly so it is best to go early in the morning.
Chapel Falls is a 60-foot-tall waterfall, and the water eventually flows into Lake Superior. The area is surrounded by forest, which makes it very scenic in the summer and fall time.
To get to this waterfall, you will need to do a 1.2-mile hike from the parking area to the waterfall.
After seeing Chapel Falls, you can choose to continue on the trail for another 1.8 miles to
Chapel Beach which is on Lake Superior.
Read more about visiting Chapel Falls here.
7. Au Train Falls
WHERE? Au Train, MI | ENTRY FEE? No
Au Train Falls is a wide, slow-flowing waterfall located on the Au Train River in the Upper
Peninsula. The waterfall has a set of two drops, an Upper Falls which drops around 40 feet, and a Lower Falls which drops around 10 feet.
One benefit of visiting this waterfall is that it is less touristy and more secluded than some of the more popular falls in the area. This means that you are likely to be able to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing visit at Au Train Falls.
To get to the falls, you will park in the small parking area and then follow a gravel path down a hill. It is a short walk but going back up the hill after seeing the falls can be a bit tiring.
Au Train Falls can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring. During the springtime or after heavy rain, the waterfall is more full and has a better flow compared to other times of the year.
Waterfalls Near Mackinaw City: Notable Mention
Bayfront Park: Located in Petoskey, Bayfront Park has a small waterfall and a picnic area.
While the waterfall is very small, it is a hidden gem, and it is likely there won’t be too many other people around. It is a perfect spot for a relaxing picnic lunch. This small waterfall is only a 45-minute drive from Mackinaw City.
Waterfalls Near Mackinaw City: FAQ
Tahquamenon Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan. The Upper Falls of Tahquamenon is 200 feet wide, with a drop of almost 50 feet. During the late spring, the Upper Falls can have up to 50,000 gallons of water going down per second which makes it one of the most voluminous waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.
Tahquamenon Falls is located 84 miles north of Mackinaw City, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. On average, it is around an hour and a half drive to reach the falls from Mackinaw City. Since it isn’t too far, Tahquamenon Falls can be visited as a day trip from Mackinaw City or you could choose to stay a few days and explore more of the Upper Peninsula.
Yes, there is a small entrance fee for Tahquamenon Falls State Park. If you are a Michigan resident with a State Parks Recreation Pass, you can access Tahquamenon Falls for free. Michigan residents can add a State Park Recreation Pass to their vehicle for $14 for the year. Non-Michigan residents can pay $9 for a daily pass to a Michigan State Park, including Tahquamenon Falls.
Conclusion: Waterfalls Near Mackinaw City
There are many incredible waterfalls near Mackinaw City, from the scenic falls found in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to the thundering Tahquamenon Falls.
Most of the waterfalls near Mackinaw City are in the Upper Peninsula, which is considered one of the most scenic parts of Michigan for its untouched natural beauty. These waterfalls are worth taking a day trip or a few days to visit.
If you don’t want to travel to the Upper Peninsula, you can visit Ocqueoc Falls in the Lower
Peninsula. This waterfall may be much smaller than the Upper Peninsula waterfalls, but it is still very scenic and is less than an hour away from Mackinaw City.
No matter which waterfall you decide to visit, you are sure to love exploring one of these
beautiful waterfalls.
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