Waterfalls in Michigan??
Sure, they speckle distant corners of the upper Peninsula, with icons like Miners Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the mighty Tahquamenon Falls. But what about the lower peninsula?
I’ve heard the lore about an area in North East Michigan where you could visit a waterfall for the longest time but never had the opportunity to truly dig into it. While visiting my sister and her boyfriend near Alpena this past Labor Day weekend, we decided we wanted to take a day trip.
We are all avid outdoor explorers and were looking for something we hadn’t done yet. After thinking about it for a minute, I realized the recipe for success we had just stumbled upon. The waterfall I had always heard about was just an hour’s drive away from our cabin.
Enter Ocqueoc Falls, the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula! Located just west of Roger’s City, this spot is the perfect weekend escape…. or in our case, weekday splendor.
The cascading falls seem to go on forever separated by tiny whirlpools to swim in and wade. At the head of the falls, near the parking lot, there’s a picnic area to set up for the day. Or, if you’re more adventurous, there’s a trail that follows the river into the dense cedar forest that borders the park.
We chose this route, finding a private embankment to set up our hammocks, chairs, and cooler for the afternoon. Though we didn’t stray too far from the river’s edge it is important to mention the two trails systems that stem from this park.
The Ocqueoc Falls trail is a fully accessible trail starting right in the parking lot of the park, taking you down to the falls, and maxing out at just 0.3 miles. To extend the hike (For people with a wheelchair, please keep in mind you will lose full accessibility), you can take the short loop through the woods and back to the parking lot.
Interested in something a little bit more involved? The Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway is a 6.1-mile loop that takes about 2 hours to complete. After that loop, you’d definitely want to cool off in the falls.
If you’re coming from way out of town, no worries! You can stay right across the street from the falls at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground. A pathway through the woods conveniently takes you right down the falls so you never have to drive anywhere.
Sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis so no reservations. With 15 sites for tent or small trailers use, you’ll need to be hasty in the summer months to grab your spot.
We had the best afternoon at the falls. It gave us the sweet taste of adventure that comes with traveling to the UP without the pricey gas fill-ups and 7-hour drive. We’re already making plans for next summer to bring more friends and family along!
If you’re looking for an exciting experience in the lower peninsula I truly recommend you make a stop at Ocqueoc. And don’t forget your water shoes!
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Your Michigan Girlfriend 