The Best Waterfalls Near Munising, MI | Our Picks from Hiawatha Snow'd Inn
When guests ask us what to do during their stay, waterfalls are almost always at the top of the list and for good reason. Alger County has 17 named waterfalls, and from Hiawatha Snow'd Inn you're perfectly positioned to explore them all. We've visited plenty of them ourselves and put together this list of our personal favorites, organized by how much effort you want to put in. These aren't all of them just the ones we think are worth your time.
The Easy Wins (Little or No Hiking Required)
Wagner Falls is our top recommendation for a quick stop. Just follow M-94 out of Munising and the parking area is only a quarter mile from the M-28 and M-94 intersection. A short walk on a gravel path leads to a viewing platform where Wagner Creek flows over numerous rock ledges. It's beautiful, never crowded, and perfect if you have kids or just want to stretch your legs between drives.
Alger Falls is even simpler. It's a roadside waterfall pull off on the shoulder of M-28 near the M-94 turnoff and look back among the trees to see the stream cascading over the rocks. You don't even need to get out of your car. That said, it's worth a two-minute stop if you're passing by.
Scott Falls is another easy roadside gem. Drive 10 miles west on M-28 from Munising to the roadside park on Lake Superior. The falls is slightly hidden on the south side of the road a straight 10-foot drop viewable right from the highway.
The Classics (Short Hikes, Big Payoff)
Munising Falls is probably the most visited waterfall in the area, and it earns that reputation. Walk a paved 800-foot trail up a shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the 50-foot falls. This one is accessible year-round. Go early morning to beat the crowds and catch the best light.
Miners Falls is our personal favorite for the wow factor. It's about 9 miles outside Munising heading northeast via H-58 and Miners Castle Road, and requires a 0.6-mile walk to reach. Of all the waterfalls in the area, this one might be the most powerful. Plan for a National Lakeshore pass ($25 per car for 7 days or grab the America the Beautiful annual pass if you visit multiple national parks each year).
Chapel Falls is stunning, especially in fall. After a 1.2-mile walk on an old forest roadbed, you'll reach a 60-foot-high waterfall with two viewing platforms along the way offering views of the scenic Chapel Basin. Pair it with the Chapel Loop trail for a full half-day adventure.
The Hidden Gems Worth Seeking Out
Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls in all of Michigan. The stream plunges over a lip and then cascades down hundreds of tiny stairstep ledges of a layered sandstone formation. After a 20-minute downhill hike, this beautiful 100-foot cascading waterfall flows into a deep limestone gorge, with a winding wooden staircase and viewing areas leading to the bottom. It requires a DNR day pass or annual state park pass.
Sable Falls out near Grand Marais is worth the drive if you're exploring the east end of Pictured Rocks. It tumbles 75 feet over a cascading slope of sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior, and the trail continues past the falls for a short walk to a beautiful rock beach.
Spray Falls is the one waterfall on this list you truly can't reach by foot alone. It drops approximately 70 feet directly to Lake Superior and is best viewed from the water, either on the Pictured Rocks boat cruise or by kayak. Kayakers can actually paddle underneath it one of the more memorable things you can do in the UP.
Tips from Your Hosts
Best time to visit: Spring and early summer bring the most water volume after snowmelt. Fall brings incredible color around every waterfall our absolute favorite time of year here.
What to bring: Waterproof shoes or boots (trails get muddy), bug spray from May through mid-June during mayfly season, and a National Lakeshore pass if you're hitting the Pictured Rocks falls.
Pick up a free waterfall map at the Munising Visitor Center on M-28 when you arrive in town. It makes planning your days much easier and shows all 17 Alger County waterfalls so you can decide which others might suit your group.
Combine your waterfall day with a stop at Midway General Store, just a mile north of Hiawatha Snow'd Inn on FH-13. They sell fishing licenses, gas, firewood, ice cream, and all the snacks you'll need for a day on the trails.
Staying at Hiawatha Snow'd Inn puts you 25 minutes from Munising and within easy reach of everything Alger County has to offer. Check our availability and make it your home base for the Upper Peninsula: https://www.hiawathasnowdinn.com/book