Waterfalls of Michigan: A Guide to More Than 130 Waterfalls in the Great Lakes State

By Greg Kretovic

Find Your Way to Michigan’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls

Waterfalls create a feeling of serenity, a sense of restrained power. Their grandeur takes our breath away. Their gentle sounds complement periods of meditation. Let professional photographer and Michigan native Greg Kretovic guide you to the top-ranked waterfalls in the state. Your bucket list should include these gorgeous locales that decorate Michigan’s landscape.

The waterfalls are organized geographically and ranked by beauty. Entries include all the information you need, like directions, distance, and hike difficulty, as well as details about each waterfall, such as height, width, and the best time of year to visit. Not-to-miss sights and nearby activities are also called out, so you can make the most of every outing. Plus, Greg’s incomparable photography makes this guidebook worthy of any coffee table.

From the Porcupine Mountains area and its many impressive waterfalls to the most famous falls in the state—Tahquamenon Falls—experience them all with this wonderful guidebook. These natural wonders prove that the Great Lake State is home to some of the most picturesque sites in America!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781591937722

Book preview

EASTERN U.P. AND THE L.P.

Chapel Falls

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was established in 1966–the United States’ first National Lakeshore.

Chapel Falls

I highly recommend continuing the hike to Chapel Beach to see the unique Chapel Rock along the Lake Superior shoreline.

View from platform past small bridge

LOCATION: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

ADDRESS/GPS FOR THE FALLS: 46° 31.718’ N, 86° 26.633’ W

DIRECTIONS: Take H-58 east from Munising for 14 miles. Turn left onto Chapel Dr., and drive 5 miles to the parking area at the end of the road.

WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/piro

WATERWAY: Section Thirtyfour Creek

HEIGHT: 65 feet CREST: 10–25 feet

NEAREST TOWN: Melstrand

HIKE DIFFICULTY: Fairly flat with some small hills

TRAIL QUALITY: Good; flat, even trail

ROUND-TRIP DISTANCE: 2.6 miles

ADMISSION: No fee

TRIP REPORT & TIPS:

Centrally located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this parking area is the perfect jumping-off point when visiting the lakeshore. Besides visiting Chapel Falls, you can continue hiking to Lake Superior and Chapel Rock, or take the Chapel Loop, a great, long hike to see the towering sandstone cliffs. And finally, the hike to Mosquito Falls is to the west.

As for the Chapel Falls hike, it is a pleasant walk on a nice path through towering hardwoods. Along the way, there is a spot to see nearby Chapel Lake. Once you arrive at the falls, you’re standing at the crest, and a nearby platform gives a nice perspective from the side. Follow the creek upstream to see a picturesque, small upper falls with a footbridge. There, you can cross to see the other side of the falls and a nice view of the gorge that Chapel Falls flows into before it disappears into the wilderness. If you stay on the trail a bit farther, there is another platform view of the falls, looking back toward the south. This view gives a nice, straight-on perspective. At this point, you can either continue on the trail to Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks shoreline or head back to the parking area.

Note: The parking area has nice pit toilets but no running