TRAVEL IN MICHIGAN

A new series of getaways for 2026.
From the upcoming book:
UP NORTH - DAY TRIPS & TRAILS

FROZEN MINER'S FALLS - PICTURED ROCKS LAKESHORE

Miner's Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and that is saying something as the area stretches from Munising in the west to Grand Marais in the east. During the warm months this is an easy afternoon excursion. The drive to the trailhead, on H-11 from H-58, is just a few miles. H-11 is also known as Miners Castle Rd. The actual walk to the waterfall viewing area is just over half a mile on a groomed trail. Sounds nice, all in all, a simple side trip to a beautiful waterfall, but it is a whole different ball of wax in the winter.

If you decide to make the hike in the winter, there are a few things to plan for. First, H-11 is a seasonal road which means it doesn’t have regular snow plowing. You may not be able to drive to the trailhead. On one trip we couldn’t get within 3 miles of the trailhead without 4-wheel drive and even that may not be enough. So it is a long hike possibly requiring snowshoes or you can go via snowmobile. Second, there are no facilities out there in winter. Third, cell service may be sketchy. Fourth, the actual trail is short, but it can be narrow and icy. Fifth, there are more than 60 stair steps down to the main viewing platform. In winter, those steps can be caked with snow and ice making the climb quite treacherous.