Our Top 10 (Munising Area) Waterfalls
Ah, spring. Hands down the most optimistic time of year. The couple of weeks prior to everything ‘popping green’ tend to be the best; the last days of really looking forward to what’s ahead; a UP summer. (and yard work, bugs, etc. -eh)
Spring always draws the lens toward flowing falls, too. The raging thaw, flowing to Superior. It’s interesting reading the waterfall reviews, countless articles opining each falls’ worth.
Well then, here’s our opinion – in order of ‘awesome’ based upon accessibility and photo-friendliness. (In the MUNISING AREA)
You can CLICK ON THE PHOTO for larger view.
1. Twin Memorial Falls
Why is it the most awesome?
The hike in is really cool. You walk along cliffs, looking down into a ravine flowing toward the lake. It’s literally right off the road- but you’d never know it. You can walk behind, stand in it, and capture awesome photos. Not more than a stones throw away is the unnamed ‘twin’. You can see the twin through a portal opening in the cliffs, or walk around a massive tree on an easily traversed trail to catch a peak.
The only downfall?
The twin dries up in early summer. But it’s still an incredible space to explore.
BONUS:
Epic in winter, too.
Memorial Falls
It’s pretty much ‘rain forest’ awesome…
Memorial Falls
2. Munising Falls
It’s big. It’s super easy to get to. You’re ‘not supposed to’ walk around it, but people do. Photo composition is as easy as it gets, and BONUS, it’s epic in winter, too.
Munising Falls
Seriously, about that “awesome in winter” thing, too. You won’t believe your eyes.
Munising Falls Frozen
3. Miners Falls
Force. This falls has a presence – always misty, very wild. You get the sense that you’re in a very ‘raw’ part of the UP when you’re looking out over Miners Falls. It’s a hike- not a difficult one, but further than some people may realize. The best photos are taken from the river, which is really, really hard to do and not advised. If you’re a hardcore winter explorer- this ravine is worth it in winter.
Miners Falls
4. Elliot’s Falls – Miners Beach
Picture Perfect. What this falls lacks in height or volume it makes up for in being one of the most photogenic in the area. Catch it with evening light and the sandstone layers will add to an amazing setting.
Elliot’s Falls
5. Spray Falls
Flowing over a cliff into Lake Superior. It’s so perfect it almost doesn’t make sense when you’re looking at it. The only downside is the challenge of hiking the shoreline or boating- out to see it.
Spray Falls
6. Wagner Falls
Easy hike, easy pictures – a cascading waterfall; it’s not the tallest or fastest. But it makes for a great photo in all four seasons.
Wagner Falls
7. Rock River Falls
A considerable drive and hike make Rock River Falls something you’ll want to plan for. It’s totally worth it, the setting is awesome and the picture-worthiness is tops.
Rock River Falls
8. Chapel Falls
It’s a drive, it’s a hike, and it’s relatively hard to see the entire thing from one vantage point. But, it’s big and it casts the sense of being isolated. It’s a place to imagine what the UP would’ve been like hundreds of years ago.
Chapel Falls
9. Sable Falls
The only reason we rank Sable below most on this list would be the steps- it’s not really that bad, but imagine bringing some of your older friends (hey, no offense) hiking into this falls and the walk back out is LEGIT. A close eye on the rapids and you’ll see lamprey stuck to the stone.
Sable Falls
10. Horseshoe Falls
You’ll pay to see it. It’s privately owned, but affordable and worth it. Probably the best place aside from Twin Memorial to bring kids to experience a waterfall.
Horseshoe Falls
Ok, Ok. Honorable Mention –
Alger Falls
It’s right off the highway, and frankly pretty sketchy to stop and get pictures of. You need to pay attention to traffic on the highway. Cars coming down the hill into Munising are almost always doing more than 55mph. It’s easy to see from the car, and serves as a solid “welcome to town” waterfall.
Alger Falls
EDIT*
Went ahead and updated the title to point out that this list is focused on the Munising area.
Seems some readers didn’t quite pick up on the theme.
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