The Ultimate Michigan Waterfall Road Trip Will Take You to 9 Scenic Spots in the State

You've been planning a road trip in the Upper Peninsula for the longest time, but you just haven't quite figured out how to maximize your time. Do you zigzag from one quaint mining town to the next? Do you focus on one specific area? How about touring one of Michigan's unsung heroes, our state's gorgeous waterfalls? All but maybe one of the 200 waterfalls in the Mitten are in the Upper Peninsula, which means that you'll have an up close and personal view of some of the best waterfalls in Michigan. This epic Michigan waterfalls road trip will help you do exactly that.

We've identified some of the best cascades, which will take you from close to the Wisconsin border east to nearly the entire length of the UP, all in a day-long trip. The trip takes just under eight hours to complete. We have included a link to Google Maps so you can follow along.

1. Potawatomi Falls - Ironwood Charter Township

We start our waterfall road trip in Michigan in Ironwood Township, a short distance from the Wisconsin border. The Potawatomi Falls are part of the Black River Scenic Byway and have long been considered one of the best waterfalls in Michigan.

2. Gabbro Falls - Bessemer Township

Also on the Black River is Gabbro Falls, a wild fall with three separate drops. It's an impressive waterfall, and it's caught in a large crack of rock just outside the city of Wakefield, Michigan. Check out this stunning 4k video of Gabbro Falls:

3. Manabezho Falls - Wakefield Township

Next, we head to Porcupine Mountains State Park, where we find Manabezho Falls, which sits on the Presque Isle River. It's no mystery why this is one of the most popular waterfalls in Michigan.

4. Manido Falls - Wakefield Township

Are you looking to continue your waterfall hikes in Michigan? Manido Falls is also located on Presque Island, boasting an impressive 15-foot drop.

As this waterfall is nearly halfway through this Michigan waterfall tour, perhaps you'd like to spend the night in Wakefield. Check out this 40-acre, Off-Grid Wakefield Retreat that can sleep up to seven guests.

5. Bond Falls - Haight Township

Continuing our scenic Michigan waterfall tour, we travel east to Bond Falls, located on the middle branch of the Ontonagon River. This natural wonder is awe-inspiring in all seasons.

6. Munising Falls - Munising

Munising Falls is next on the best Michigan waterfall road trip, and it can be found nestled in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It's one of the most popular destinations in the UP. It features a 50-foot drop, and although the amount of water tends to be small, it's still an exceptional addition to this Michigan waterfall road trip.

Watch this video to see why we love this area of Michigan so much:

7. Miners Falls - Munising Township

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is home to several waterfalls, as you can see. Miners Falls is another beauty there. Keep in mind that there are 77 steps down to the viewing platform, even though Miners Falls is only a half-mile from the parking lot. The falls drop over 40 feet from an incredible sandstone outcrop. Even if it's not considered the best waterfall in Michigan, it is one of the most unique.

8. Sable Falls - Burt Township

Sable Falls is also located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. and is found in the easternmost portion of the park. The falls tumble a solid 75 feet over a fractured series of sandstone formations, which results in one of the most stunning forested views in the state.

9. Tahquamenon Falls - Paradise

Finally, we head to Tahquamenon Falls State Park, where you find perhaps some of the most stunning waterfalls in all of Michigan. It's one of the most massive waterfalls east of the Mississippi and remains a local favorite as well as a nationally known darling. This fantastic drone footage shows what this epic waterfall looks like at its most amazing:

There it is, folks, a beautiful Michigan waterfalls road trip. We've covered so much ground in the UP, including some gorgeous falls on Lake Superior, some stops at the popular state and national park spaces, and some inland waterfalls that are no less beautiful to gaze upon.

Michigan's warm-weather months are a great time to travel. However, many of these waterfalls look amazing when frozen in winter. We encourage you to plan your next outdoor adventure soon. Who knows? You may just stumble upon brand-new hidden waterfalls in Michigan!