This Epic Road Trip in Michigan Hits 5 of the State’s Best Waterfalls

We’re starting this waterfall road trip off strong with the largest waterfall in Michigan—Tahquamenon Falls. Not only does this waterfall take the gold for the state, but the 200-foot-wide Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The water gets its iconic amber color from tannins that are leached from the cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees that grow along the river bank. This beautiful cascade is one of the most popular waterfalls in Michigan, and if you want to avoid the crowds, I'd recommend arriving early.

Both the Upper and Lower Falls have their own parking lots and restroom facilities. 

Tumbling for 75 feet, Sable Falls is just one of the many beautiful waterfalls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This road trip covers a few different waterfalls in this area, but we'll get to those in a moment.

The trail to Sable Falls is about 1.2 miles, and it includes about 200 steps to get you to the base of the waterfall. The waterfall flows into Lake Superior, and you can continue on the trail for about 0.5 miles to reach the lake if you’d like.

Both Sable Falls and Miners Falls are located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but on opposite sides. Miners Falls, on the western side, is a powerful 40-foot fall that pours over a sandstone outcrop. The trail to Miners Falls is about 1.25 miles and includes about 80 steps that lead down to the viewing platform. 

Food stop: The Bear Trap Inn. This popular, laid-back restaurant serves American comfort food and has plenty of daily specials. It's the best place to stop and fuel up before tackling even more wonderful waterfalls.

Of course, we’re keeping the waterfront views going with a stay at this waterfront cottage in Au Train. The five-bedroom cottage boasts a large, wrap-around deck that offers unparalleled views of Lake Superior. This is one spot you’ll want to wake up early to watch the sunrise for—I promise. Whenever I'm staying anywhere that has a front-row seat to a spectacular sunrise (or sunset), I'm taking full advantage of Mother Nature's show.

Our final waterfall in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is Munising Falls. This Michigan waterfall really comes to life in the spring once the snowmelt gives it a nice push, although truth be told, it's also really mesmerizing in the winter. A short and sweet 800-foot-long paved trail leads to this 50-foot waterfall, and boy, oh boy, is she a beaut.

Munising, Michigan, is a charming town in the UP that’s perfect for strolling around. While you’re exploring, be sure to visit Miners Pasty Kitchen, home to some of the best pasties in Michigan.

Our final stop on this waterfall road trip is Pinnacle Falls. This is one of the more remote waterfalls in the UP, but it is well worth the trip. You'll find Pinnacle Falls on a wild stretch of the Yellow Dog River; it's named for the huge pinnacle of rock on the right side of the waterfall. The trail to Pinnacle Falls is just shy of two miles, and although AllTrails rates it as easy, it might be slightly more challenging than you would expect.