9 Must-Visit Winter Waterfalls in Michigan's U.P.

Located along the Presque Isle River, Manido Falls has an ever changing crest that ranges from 50-150 feet depending on the flowing water volume. Falls drop about 15 feet here, and you can gaze in wonderment from the trail that runs alongside the Presque Isle River.

Manabezho Falls was named after a spirit god to the Ojibwe people. And we can understand why — this is the largest waterfall on the Presque Isle River, about 20 minutes north of Thomaston. In the river’s final flow to meet Lake Superior, water cascades over this final 150-foot crest and drops 25 feet below! On both sides of the river, there is a trail to view the snowy landscape over the rocky rapids.

Canyon Falls is located one hour west of Marquette in Baraga County along the main route US-41, so you won’t need to go out of your way to stop here. Just look for Canyon Falls Roadside Park to find the trailhead. The parking area is closed in the winter but there is a pull-off where you can park. A quick 15-minute walk through the picturesque forest will get you to the falls. Once there, you’ll see why it has been nicknamed “the Grand Canyon of the U.P.”

Located on the middle branch of the Ontonagon River near Paulding, Bond Falls is another wintery dream come true. The falls are made up of a series of smaller cascades and one larger waterfall with a total drop of about 50 feet. The main parking lot closes for the season in November but you can park along the street near the outpost. The trail to the falls is less than one mile and is generally packed down. The boardwalk can get very icy in the winter though so make sure you wear the proper footwear. This, too, is a pet-friendly trail.

Munising Falls at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising is one of the most easily accessible frozen waterfalls in the U.P., and it completely freezes in the winter. From the plowed parking lot, it’s less than a half-mile hike on the paved trail to reach the falls. Once you get there, you’ll be awed by the 50-foot ice column. The view of the frozen falls is even more spectacular after a fresh snowfall! This used to be a popular spot for ice climbing but now Munising Falls is closed to climbing due to hazardous rockfall.

Alger Falls in Munising becomes covered in ice formations and is a beautiful site to see when it’s surrounded by blankets of fresh snow. It’s a small waterfall with short levels but it only requires a quick stop along M-28. Since it is a roadside waterfall, no hiking is necessary.

Another scenic waterfall just outside of Munising in central Alger County is Wagner Falls. The quick and easy half-mile hike through the State Park to the falls is beautiful, and there’s an observation deck overlooking the falls to give you the best view. While these falls have a less dramatic drop height of 20 feet, the peaceful setting and mild hike make this a visitor’s favorite. The trail is pet-friendly, too.

Laughing Whitefish Falls in Sundell is one of the tallest waterfalls in the state of Michigan at a height of 100 feet. There is an initial drop at the very top followed by a long slide of small-stepped rock. This makes it a unique site unlike any of the other falls on this list. The fact that these falls can freeze completely in the right winter conditions makes this an excellent spot to visit if you want to see a frozen waterfall. Take the half-mile trail to the observation deck at the top of the falls or the 157 steps down to the bottom. The view from below is a must-see! Just be careful walking down the steps, they may be very icy and slippery. Getting to the trailhead is a little more challenging. The road leading into the scenic site isn’t plowed in the winter so you will need to park at the entrance which is roughly a quarter-mile from the parking lot and the start of the trail. There’s a chance the trail will be packed down from snowmobilers but you’ll want to bring snowshoes just in case.

Tahquamenon Falls in Luce County are the most popular waterfalls in Michigan, so there’s a good chance you’ve visited them during other seasons. But don’t be too quick to cross them off your itinerary. Seeing these famous powerful falls in the winter is a totally different experience. The Upper Falls is the easiest to access. It has an almost 50-foot drop and stretches over 200 feet across. With a heavy flow of more than 50,000 gallons of water per second, it’s rare for these falls to completely freeze; but the top layer of the river turns to a sheet of ice and the falls become partially frozen. It’s truly magical to see and listen to these majestic falls in person.