Why visit Michigan? There are many reasons to visit the Great Lakes State, from tree-lined trails to fishing fun. Not many visitors to the Mitten State know that Michigan is also a great place to enjoy waterfalls in relaxing settings. In fact, there are hundreds of waterfalls in Michigan, and you can see a great many of them when you go on an RV road trip.
Since there are so many waterfalls in Michigan, it can be hard to choose which to visit first. To help you make a decision, here’s a guide to the top waterfalls in Michigan to explore on your next road trip.
Michigan’s many waterfalls offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, but where to go first? Here are a few waterfalls in Upper Michigan and Lower Michigan you owe it to yourself to visit the next time you’re in the area.
The Best Waterfalls in Upper Michigan
Most of Michigan’s waterfalls can be found in the Upper Peninsula, which should be no surprise given how it is situated between three different Great Lakes and crisscrossing waterways.
Tahquamenon Falls (Paradise, MI)
The Upper Tahquamenon Falls are Michigan’s largest waterfalls, at 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide. Fed by the Tahquamenon River, these falls are not only the largest in Michigan but are also amongst the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. A few miles downstream on the Tahquamenon River, you can find the Lower Tahquamenon Falls, split into two halves, each clocking in at 22 feet tall and 100 feet wide.
One bit of trivia about Tahquamenon Falls is that poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow mentioned the Tahquamenon River (the source of the falls) in his poem "Hiawatha".
If you’re keen on going RV camping in Michigan, then Tahquamenon Falls State Park is where you want to be; this state park is considered to have some of the best RV camping in Michigan!
Interested in hiking at Tahquamenon Falls? Here’s how to make the most of a trekking adventure when checking out the falls.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising, MI)
On the south shore of Lake Superior (on the Upper Peninsula, near Munising), you’ll find Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. About a dozen lakes can be found at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with some of the most popular and most-visited waterfalls being Sable Falls, Wagner Falls, Spray Falls, Miners Falls, and Munising Falls.
The Sable, Wagner, and Munising Falls are all easily accessible via reasonable hikes, while the best views of the nearly 70-foot-tall Spray Falls can be found by taking a boat out onto Lake Superior. Like the other popular falls, though, you can also reach Spray Falls by a short hike.
Rock River Falls (Alger County, MI)
If you crave adventure, head out into the Rock River Wilderness Area in search of Rock River Falls. You’ll have to drive a bit into the forests and then trek a bit on for the best views, but it’ll definitely be worth your efforts to make it there.
Potawatomi Falls (Ironwood, MI)
Along the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway, in the extreme western section of Michigan’s upper peninsula, you’ll come across the five waterfalls that are sure to catch the eye. Of these, the Potawatomi Falls is the easiest to access for visitors, so be sure your hiking shoes are laced up, and your camera battery is charged — you’re in for a treat!
The Best Waterfalls in Lower Michigan
The only recognized waterfalls in Michigan’s lower peninsula are the Ocqueoc Falls, a hidden gem at the northern tip of “the mitten.”
Ocqueoc Falls
Visitors to Ocqueoc Falls benefit from the relative obscurity of these waterfalls since most people flock to the Upper Peninsula’s aquatic wonders. Fall is a fantastic time to visit Ocqueoc Falls, with the trees changing colors, picnic tables at which you can sit and enjoy a meal, and six miles of trails you can hike or bike in warmer weather and cross-country ski after a winter’s heavy snowfall.
Visit Michigan's Top Waterfalls With Cruise America
Michigan’s unique geography and waterways mean there are plenty of opportunities to visit waterfalls throughout the state. How can you check out waterfalls in Michigan for yourself when in the Great Lakes State? The best way to see all of these Michigan waterfalls on a road trip is in an RV rental. Whether you’re headed to the Upper or Lower Peninsula, Cruise America has the perfect RV for a Michigan waterfalls camping trip.
Cruise America has a fleet of rental RVs in various lengths and floor plans sure to satisfy the needs of travel parties of any size. Get in touch with Cruise America today to get on the road to waterfalls in Michigan in an RV!
