Miners Falls is another great, relatively easy hike that can be done by all skill levels and I would highly recommend it as well during your Pictured Rocks trip, either before or after you make a stop at Miners Castle as well. Clocking it at 1.2 miles, it takes about half an hour to complete out and back. Miners Falls is way bigger and grander than Munising Falls, so it's definitely impressive and worth the hike out. You aren't able to get as close to it as you do to Munising Falls, you view it from 2 different viewing platforms across a wide river, but it's still impressive just the same. The hike is more intensive. It's mostly shallow, sometimes steeper in areas decline through forest on the way there, but that just means that you know the way back is going to be a constant uphill, which is a bit killer. Total elevation gain here is about 150 feet. Great part about this hike is that the trail is so WIDE, tons of space to walk and be distant from other people, not that this trail was even all that heavily trafficked by any means. When you get to the falls, the first viewpoint you get to really doesn't give you a good view. For both viewpoints, you are already looking down at the falls, and the first viewpoint, which is much higher up, is blocked by trees and at too high of an angle for you to appreciate much of anything. So it's imperative that you head to viewpoint #2, which is down one final series of steep stairs. From this viewing platform, you get a great, impressive view of the falls, get a moment to take pictures, catch your breath, before you embark on the not-so-long-but-sort-of-feels-long-because-it's-all-uphill journey back up to the parking lot. I was definitely breathing hard by the time I got to the parking lot, but it was a great, short hike to do! It really didn't hurt either that there was gorgeous fall foliage all along the road leading into the Miners Falls parking lot and spots of color along the entire hike as well. Can't be anything but happy when looking at fall rolling in! :) read more

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Okay so here is another decent/worthwhile waterfall to visit within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This is Miners Falls. And...it's really easy to find and hike to. From the trailhead it's a 0.6 mile walk along a gravel path. And the 0.6-mile stroll to Miners Falls takes you throughout an incredibly pleasant and tranquil forest setting. Even before I arrived at the falls, I was grabbing pictures on the walk being immersed in lush green trees and vegetations of the woodsy outdoors. Miners Falls is about a 50-foot waterfall that's one of the more majestic flowing falls you'll find in the small town of Munising, Michigan...and Munising is sort of the host town of Pictured Rocks NL. In Munising, you'll discover a bunch of other scenic waterfalls like Alger Falls, Chapel Falls, Munising Falls, Mosquito Falls and Horseshoe Falls to name a few. You can plug all these waterfalls into Google Maps on your phone to specifically locate them. Cell phone reception in Munising works just fine. Now, one of my issues with this Miners Falls and I know I'm nitpicking...is that once walk the 0.6 mile...you can only view the falls from an observation deck. And...this overlook platform had guardrails installed as high up as your waste. So...when trying to take optimal photos of Miners Falls for yourself and or family...you're sort of held hostage to these guardrails. It's sort of like you're being photobombed by a stranger but instead it's really the tiny platform and guardrails that taint the experience. Most visitors here at the overlook were taking selfie pics, which for myself...isn't worth the time. So, I gladly took a picture or two of Miners Falls before returning back towards the trailhead. I guess just in the end I'm a narcissistic person and I want myself in every picture to officially claim that I've "been there, done that", lol. Oh well, this miniscule platform vista point and the guardrails were out of my control. Here was another frustrating aspect... I was visiting back at the end of May 2021 and the parking lot and hike to the falls were pretty busy. In fact, it was congested enough to the point that there was a crowded line of people just waiting to step onto the observation area. And because the platform barely allowed tourists to step foot on it together at one time, the wait was about 10 minutes to get that photographic memory. Wow I thought to myself...this is a popular part to the Pictured Rocks NL area. And just a side note...when I was here this past summer, it was free to explore and hike to all the waterfalls. But for the 2022 travel season, starting on March 1, there'll be a $10 fee for visitors which will eventually over time get raised to $25. So, yes...people are coming. National parks, monuments, lakeshores, state parks, hikes and trails are all getting busier each year. Be prepared for maybe eventually losing that true essence for being outside in the heart of nature. Tourists are coming in droves and it's not stopping anytime soon. Anyways...finally, I got my time at the overlook deck for a quick couple of photos before yielding to the people behind me. Miners Falls was pretty impressive when looking down upon it. I just wished that the hiking path continued down towards the base of the falls because in my opinion...there's nothing like looking up at a scenic waterfall as the prime attraction within a scenic backdrop. Welp...lol, sorry for all my venting. From here at Miners Falls, I continued onto Munising Falls, about a 9-mile drive away. And yeah...once again, Munising Falls was simply a 0.5 mile walk each way to and from an observation deck, but at least the platform there allowed more space to accommodate tourists. Lastly, although I never found true fulfillment from the viewing platform looking down at Miners Falls, I still enjoyed the hike through the forest and simply getting a chance to witness another waterfall here at Pictured Rocks Lakeshore in the UP - Upper Peninsula of Michigan. read more

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Bit of a walk and some stairs but worth it. Lovely falls. This was our first time to the area .. so many lovely falls, lighthouses, beaches .. forest. cant wait to come back .. maybe in the fall. read more

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Miners Falls, when flowing, is a stunning Michigan waterfall to see. You drive down a gravel path and reach a decent parking lot that I bet fills up quickly in the summer. I visited in early October and the fall foliage was stunning! This is a bit of a walk like others have said. Largely flat and there are some benches along the way to stop. When you actually arrive at the falls, the best viewing spot is down a steep staircase. It wasn't too strenuous of a hike but definitely got our heart rates going. While in the area, drive down the road to see the famous Miner's Castle. read more

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Miners Falls is a great hike for all ages and abilities in Painted Rocks National Seashore. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. Along the way, you will be treated to beautiful forests and peaceful surroundings. When you get to the end of the trail the best viewpoint of the falls is down the set of stairs to your left. It is well worth the climb back up. The falls is 39 feet high and it has a pretty good water flow. The total distance on this hike is 1.2 miles. The parking is large and there are pit toilets at the trailhead. Signage is also good at the trailhead. We enjoyed our hike out to the falls, in all we took about 50 minutes on this hike, stopping along the way for pictures of cool trees and also taking a bunch of pictures of the falls. read more

Excellent walk through beautiful woods to reach this. Spectacular. Nice trail. ONLY THING is, if it's warm / wet, wear mosquito netting (which we wore everywhere in the woods). Everybody we passed complimented us on being prepared for the bugs. Two couples bailed quickly because they were getting eaten up. But we loved it. read more

The trails are well maintained and great for any level hiker. Easy walk to falls (maybe mile each way) and plenty of parking. Absolutely beautiful scenery...especially this waterfall! One of the best in our visit in my opinion! read more

Miners Falls - Hiking Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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The hike was nice and fairly flat. The flowers were beautifully lined almost the entire trail. It was beautiful to see, worth the hike! read more

Miners Falls - Hiking Near Me - Munising, Michigan

Gorgeous! Bit of a walk on the trail before getting to the falls but nothing too strenuous. Stairs were a bit steep, but conveniently enough there are benches along the way if you need to take a break. The platform is a little small if there are a lot of people but worth it for the view. Many people were going off this platform to make their way down to the falls. I don't think that is encouraged and it looked pretty steep but many were doing it. Bug spray is a must. Highly recommend! read more

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This was the highlight of our second half day in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We arrived mid morning to a parking lot with only one other car, and took a leisurely hike (about 6/10ths of a mile, or 1.2 miles round trip) down to the falls. Because we have two children, 11 yo daughter and 9 yo son, who we try very hard to cultivate an interest in nature, we grabbed the Miners Falls Trail NPS flyer that was at the trailhead in the box, and stopped at all 12 stations along the way and learned just a little about this habitat. It was actually quite was fascinating. Adult or children, this 12 stop self guided brochure is a nifty little treat that I'd enthusiastically recommended if you are that kind of nature explorer, and you like to stop and learn what you are passing through. The falls themselves were the best of the inland falls we visited, which was only Musining and Alger Falls besides Miners. Miners Falls had a great approach, around 50-60 stairs down, and as the falls were revealed between the leaves of the trees, it was spectacular. Of the falls we visited on this trip, Miners Falls has the greatest water volume going over it, and thus it is most captivating. I found the falls from the viewing platform to be grand enough, but a number of folks arrived after we did and went off trail, they said, to get a better view. I would enthusiastically discourage that approach so this area can be preserved for generations into the future, which is our responsibility. When we got back to the parking lot it was completely full with cars waiting to find a parking spot. So very glad we arrived early, as we did. Because this is an easy drive, and a "walk up" bit of scenery, everyone tries to stop here and the current parking lot probably does not offer enough parking for high demand days. Plan accordingly. Besides our boat cruise to see Pictured Rocks from the lake, this was a highlight of our trip, and if you have time for just ONE stop, make this the one, it is a natural joy. read more

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Lovely little stop. Short hike, peaceful gardens. Gift shop with ice cream. Bring quarters and feed the fish!

Researching the UP trip, it was recommended to see the local falls in Munising, as well as the Tahquemanon Falls in Paradise. Miners Falls was recommended along with Munising Falls & Memorial Falls. The falls are beautiful and many people go off path to the bottom. Be careful going down! After visiting the Pictured Rocks and the T. Falls, I definitely recommend also visiting some of these or other local falls bc it's worth it. It's quiet & peaceful, and you can get up close for some wonderful views. read more

Miners Falls - Hiking Near Me - Munising, Michigan

Easy hike for most. My mother has a bad hip and in her 60s had a difficult time heading back to the parking lot. But there were benches for her to take breaks. I wouldn't suggest this hike for anyone who has any difficulties walking up hills. Otherwise, it was a beautiful fall and I enjoyed the short hike to it. read more

Enjoyed a little hike to see the falls. The trail to get to the falls does include some stairs; however, there are areas to stop and take a rest as needed. With this said, the falls are beautiful and definitely worth the effort to go see! There is a convenient parking lot near the falls to park. Recommend checking these out while visiting Munising. read more

It was a long yet Beautiful hike through the woods to get to the waterfall but it was definitely worth the work. The waterfall was pretty big. I was with my dad and we both just sat and watched the water poor into the river. read more

Awesome falls with a short hike considering how good this waterfall actually is. If you are in the area, why wouldn't you make this hike. If my 4 year old can do it and you can walk, then you should do this Falls. read more

Very pretty waterfall with a clear entrance and exit. My only complaint was that I almost watched a kid slip in because he was walking around the side and nobody seemed to care. Either way, very easy hike with very pretty views along the hike. Would go again! read more

Gorgeous!! Bit of a walk, and if you want to go really close, you'll have to climb and be somewhat fit. Just be forewarned!

This is the best set of falls in the area. It's a good hike in but its worth it. Be careful going all the way down.

Would have given a 5 but dogs not allowed. Otherwise a 2 mile, well worth it hike. Easy, rolling trail with some stairs at the end but with a bench half way if needed. Spent a day going to the Taqhmeneon Falls (dogs allowed though) the day before. If I knew this he munising falls were so easy and beautiful would have skipped that long, out the way drive. I guess this reminds me that Michigan is a dog friendly state but Pictured Rock is a National Lakeshore and not so dog friendly. Thanks Michigan from a Wisconsin neighbor! read more