Miners Falls - Pictured Rock National Lakeshore

Miners Falls is a highlight of visiting Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore if you are visiting and do not go out on a boat.  A short 1.2-mile round trip hike takes you to this 39-foot-high waterfall on Miners River.  The trail is easy and well maintained, winding its way through the forest before reaching a final set of stairs that go down to the best viewpoint for the falls.


To access the trail take H-58 our of Munising for 5 miles.  Turn left onto Miners Castle Road, drive 3.7 miles, and turn right onto the dirt road marked with a sign for the falls.  Drive 0.5 miles to the parking area.

The parking lot a good size and can handle quite a few cars.   There is a pit toilet at the parking area and signage for the trailhead.



The trail starts down from the trailhead with a little decline and eventually flattens out for most of the trail.  The hike was very peaceful.

The trail winds through the woods with lots of trees.  In the springtime, the sides of the trail are covered with wildflowers.  In the fall, the leaves changing color would really make the trail amazing.  

Some of the trees along the way have unique growths to them that help you appreciate that their life here in the harsh climate along Lake Superior has its challenges.  This tree with a huge burl would be a dream for a wood-turner to make a bowl.


This tree's root system makes you wonder what caused it.  It looked like it could just start walking on its legs like a spider in the forest.  As you begin to approach the falls, you can start to hear it before you see it.  The trail will take you to an overlook that is grown over with trees during the summer and does not provide a view, but the stairs at the trail's end will take you down to a great vantage point.


Trail Details:

Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 154 Fee
Type: Out and Back
Time: The trail will only take about 30 minutes to walk, but plan for about an hour for this stop so that you have time to enjoy the falls.
Trail Quality: ✯✯✯✯✯
Parking:✯✯✯✯✯
Fee or Pass: Yes - you must have a Pass for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ($10.00 per vehicle) or your Annual National Park Pass is displayed in your window.



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