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

by Greg Kretovic

Overview

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!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591937715
Publisher:	Adventure Publications, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Series:	Best Waterfalls by State
Pages:	232
Sales rank:	1,023,434
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Greg Kretovic is a proud Yooper who lives in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since moving to the U.P. to attend Northern Michigan University, where he earned a BFA in Art and Design, he has enjoyed living in this special part of the state as well as seeing and doing all that the area has to offer. Along the way, he started photographing the landscapes, waterfalls, seasons and more. Greg is also known for his photographs of the mighty Lake Superior—the greatest of the Great Lakes. He has sold prints throughout the U.S. and has had his work published in magazines, television, news media and advertising. When Greg isn’t out photographing he works as a freelance graphic/web designer. He also enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including cross-country skiing, running, fishing, hiking and camping with his family.

Read an Excerpt

Sturgeon Falls
Sturgeon Falls is remote, so for those looking to avoid the crowds, this one is for you.

Location: Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, Ottawa National Forest

Address/GPS for the Falls: 46° 38.561’ N, 88° 41.634’ W

Directions: From M-28 in Sidnaw, drive north on Forest Road 2200 for 12.5 miles, and turn left on Forest Road 2270. Drive for 0.6 mile, and look for parking on the right side of the road. The marked trailhead for the falls begins across the road.

Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ottawa/recarea/firecid=12322

Waterway: Sturgeon River

Height: 15 feet Crest: 22 feet

Nearest Town: Sidnaw

Hike Difficulty: Difficult with steep hills and rocks

Trail Quality: Well-maintained trail

Round-trip Distance: 1.8 miles

Admission: No fee

Trip Report & Tips:

After visiting this waterfall for the first time, I wondered what took me so long to visit! It has it all: remoteness, a fun adventurous hike, and thundering falls. Your adventure begins with a hike along the edge of the mile-wide, 350-foot-deep gorge that stretches across the landscape. After a quarter mile, the trail starts the descent down into the gorge, with a narrow path and a switchback to help make the steep hill easier to navigate.

The approach to the falls is from above and upstream, so you can see the progression of the 100-foot-wide Sturgeon River being squeezed through a narrow, volcanic outcropping that’s only 25 feet wide. During my late-autumn visit, the river was low, but the sound and mist created by the falls was still impressive. (During the spring season, the falls are roaring!) You’ll want to use extra caution hiking near the base of the falls, where the rocks and moss are wet and slippery. Beyond the falls, I also hiked downstream a short distance to take in the sight of the towering cliffs and hills across the river.

Because of the challenge and remoteness, I would recommend carrying a supply of snacks and food and only attempting this trek with a decent level of physical fitness. Take your time and enjoy the views!

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Michigan Waterfalls

Seasonal Variations

Trespassing/Private Land Info

Safety Info

What to Bring

Photographing Waterfalls

How to Use This Book

Map of Michigan’s Waterfalls

Eastern U.P. and the L.P.

Central U.P.

The Huron Mountains

Southern U.P.

Western U.P.

Keweenaw Peninsula

Black River Scenic Byway/The Porcupine Mountains

21 More Waterfalls to Explore

Michigan Waterfalls Checklist

About the Author