Spring is Here – It’s Time to Visit Our Waterfalls

So much has changed in just a week, Iron County has been experiencing 40 and 50 degree weather and it has been marvelous!  Nearly all of the snow is gone and it is time to start doing your favorite spring activities.  With all of the snow melting, now is a great time to visit waterfalls in the area.  There are 199 waterfalls in Michigan, 198 of them are located in the Upper Peninsula!

Horserace Rapids: Horserace Rapids is south of Crystal Falls, east on US 2. Follow the road toward the Iron County Airport and follow the road south to the rapids.  It is a short walk from the parking lot along a well-marked trail to these beautiful rapids.

Chicaugon Falls: Take US-2 to Long Lake Road, which is just west of Bewabic State Park entrance, head north on Long Lake Road 3 miles until you see a Big Brown Barn on the right side of the road.  Take Raymer Drive and look for the signs.

Mexi-Mini Falls: Mexi-Mini Falls is located at the US Forest Service Burnt Dam Campground.  From Iron River head west on US 2 about 23 miles to US Forest Service Road 3960.  Turn right and travel about 5.7 miles to Old US 2.  Turn right on Old US 2 and proceed .5 miles to USFS Road 4500.  On 4500 travel north (left) about .5 miles to the Burnt Dam Campground.  This fall is well worth visiting and has easy drive up access.

Duppy Falls: Duppy Falls is located just west of Forest Highway 16 in northwest Iron County on the Ottawa National Forest.  Duppy Falls can be reached from intersection of US 2 and Forest Highway 16 by traveling north on FS 16 - about 19 miles to USFS Road 3610 is just a landmark to indicate you are getting close. Continue on Forest Highway 16 about .7 miles to the first trail road to the left.  Travel .2 miles down Forest Service trail road 3645 to a grass clearing next to State Creek. An unmarked trail crosses the creek on a small wood bridge.  The falls can be found by walking a trail southwest about .5 miles to the falls.

Jumbo Falls: Jumbo Falls is located just south southwest of Kenton.  From Duppy Falls just travel north on Forest Highway 16 - 5.6 miles to Kenton.  Turn left on M-28 and travel 1.7 miles to Golden Glow Road just past eh Jumbo River stream crossing.  Turn left and travel 1.6 miles to Golden Glow Road W. Turn left and travel .3 mile to USFS Road 4589-b and turn right.  Travel just over one mile to a parking area for the falls.  A short trail takes you upstream to the falls through old growth conifer trees.

Outside of Iron County

Bond Falls: Bond Falls is located north of Watersmeet and east of Paulding.  There are picnic facilities and a store available here.  To view the falls, take the path on the left side.  There are many places to stop and take pictures.  It is possible to cross the river on a small foot bridge and come back up the right side.  This is a more difficult climb back to the top.  you can now enter the State Park with sticker or small fee for easy access to view the falls.

Agate Falls: To get to Agate Falls, continue past Bond Falls to M-28 and turn right.  Watch for a roadside facility on the  Park there and follow the path to the falls. There is a gift and ice cream shop on the north side of the road.  Ask for permission to walk back to the trail that runs behind their building.  From there you can turn left to the bridge that spans the spectacular, especially in the fall.

Canyon Falls: Canyon Falls is located south of the town on Alberta on US 41 south of L'Anse.  There is a picnic site here.  The falls are about a quarter of a mile from the roadside park.  For the truly adventuresome, there are two more falls beyond the main falls.  The hiker will need to pick their way along the river.