Before you go
The Munising Falls Trail and the whole canyon have been closed since April 28, 2025, when storm runoff washed out about 75 feet of trail. NPS awarded a repair contract on September 3, 2026, with work expected to finish by the end of 2027; there is no safe place to view the falls until then. The visitor center remains open.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.3 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
50 ft
About Munising Falls
Munising Falls is a 50-foot waterfall that drops over a sandstone cliff into a shaded canyon on Munising Creek, inside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at the edge of Munising. A paved 800-foot trail normally leads from the Munising Falls Visitor Center to the base of the falls and two viewing platforms. The trail has been closed since a washout in April 2025, and there is currently no access to view the falls.
The Setting
Munising Falls sits at 741 feet within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 50 feet.
Height: 50 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Tannery Falls (40 ft) lies 0.6 miles to the southwest. Also nearby: Wagner Falls (20 ft, 2.7 mi) and Alger Falls (15 ft, 2.4 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy 0.3-mile out-and-back trail gains 50 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
When open, a paved 800-foot trail follows Munising Creek up a shaded canyon to the base of the falls, with two sets of stairs leading to viewing platforms. The trail is closed for repairs until at least the end of 2027.
What to Expect
The falls drop 50 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Munising Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets are allowed on the Munising Falls Trail and at its viewing platforms.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Munising Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Munising Falls is beautiful year-round, but spring offers the highest water flow, while fall provides vibrant foliage. Winter visitors can enjoy unique ice formations.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Stay on designated trails and viewing platforms to avoid slippery or unstable areas. In winter, the trail may be icy, so wear appropriate footwear. Do not climb on or near the waterfall.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Munising hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Munising Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Munising Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 41°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Michigan.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 101 feet of descent through Munising Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 50 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 740 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 16 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 31 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 740 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 101 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Munising Falls Visitor Center is within Munising city limits, where Washington Street becomes Sand Point Road, across from Munising Memorial Hospital.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is at the Munising Falls Visitor Center lot, which is normally plowed in winter. During trail reconstruction, contractors will stage materials in the lot, so space may be limited.
Elevation
741 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.422679° N, -86.621233° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit early in the morning or during weekdays to avoid crowds. In winter, wear appropriate footwear as the trail may be icy. Bring a camera to capture the beauty of the falls.
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For this easy 0.3 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Kahtoola MICROspikes
Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Where to Stay
Comfort Inn & Suites Munising-Lakefront
Quality Inn & Suites Munising
North Star Hotel Pictured Rocks
Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels - Munising
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Munising Ranger District
1.6 miles away · 0 sites
Munising Ranger District is located on the northern part of the west side of the Hiawatha National Forest. Stop by for up-to-date information and suggestions for your trip.
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other nearby attractions include Miners Castle, Miners Falls, and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The town of Munising also offers restaurants and shops.
Wildlife
Visitors may see birds, squirrels, and other small woodland animals. Be cautious of ticks in warmer months.
Cities near Munising Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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