Travel Planner

Episode #2302

“When Winter Stays Late”

Episode #2302 Travel Planner

Winter doesn’t always end when it’s supposed to and this trip takes us to some amazing waterfalls at the end of winter with the water rushing over the falls.

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Upper Peninsula, Michigan

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Rapid River Falls

Rapid River

RAPID RIVER FALLS PARK
Location:
13149 S 15 - Rapid River, Michigan

This 80-acre park is just off US Highway 41 in northern Delta County. The developed part of the park is located on Rapid River at the base of several small rapids created from limestone shelves. County residents use Rapid River Falls Park for picnics, gatherings, and outdoor weddings. A large part of the park is undeveloped. There are great examples of karst topography easy seen on the surface. There are underground rivers, sinkholes, and springs that can be explored. Be cautious if exploring the undeveloped areas of this park.

Wagner Falls

Wagner Falls

Location: 46.387526, -86.646904 - Munising, Michigan

WAGNER FALLS SCENIC SITE
Location:
M-94, .3 miles south of M-28 junction - Munising, Michigan

Wagner Falls is a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall with a height of 20 feet on Wagner Creek. Water flowing over the falls joins the Anna River below the falls, and flows into Lake Superior near Munising. This waterfall is stunning for those who enjoy photographing waterfalls, or for those who would like to find a peaceful spot to enjoy. This scenic waterfall is nestled among old-growth pine and hemlock trees. A 0.2 mile forested walk leads from the parking area along a hard-packed gravel/boadwalk trail to the viewing platform for the falls. A short staircase leads up to the platform. The parking lot is generally plowed in winter and accessible by most vehicles. This is a particularly stunning waterfall in winter, popular with local artists and photographers.

Munising Falls

Munising Falls

Location: 46.42278, -86.62139 - Munising, Michigan

MUNISING FALLS VISITOR CENTER
Location:
1505 Sand Point Road - Munising, Michigan

This beautiful waterfall is located within the city limits of Munising where Washington Street becomes Sand Point Road. Walk the paved 800-foot trail up a cool shaded canyon along Munising Creek to the base of the falls. Two sets of stairs lead to platforms for additional views of the 50-foot waterfall as it drops over a sandstone cliff. Watch for ferns, wildflowers, and an occasional mink. In winter, the falls freeze forming an ice column. This is one of the few areas of the park easy to access in winter, with plowed roads and parking lot. Please stay on the paved trail. Walking into or behind the falls is prohibited.

The Munising Falls Visitor Center features displays on the rich natural and cultural history of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Exhibits on early iron smelting, geology, forest history, rare and endangered species, logging and recreation portray the diversity of our nation's first national lakeshore. The center also includes a small bookstore. Open June through Labor Day.

Alger Falls

Alger Falls

Location: 46.3932, -86.6479 (near M-28 and M-94 junction - Munising, Michigan)

Alger Falls is a small roadside waterfall just outside of Munising. The falls consist of a series of drops, the highest of which is about 15 feet. The falls can be seen from the highway M-28. Unlike its hidden counterparts, this beauty graces the very edge of the road, where M-28 meets M-94 west. Pull over and witness the magic unfold – no need for lengthy hikes or hidden trails. Alger Falls serenades you from the roadside, its cascading waters tumbling playfully over a series of rock ledges. Time your visit right, and you'll be rewarded with a truly unforgettable spectacle. Spring, with its abundance of melted snow, transforms Alger Creek into a gushing torrent, amplifying the falls' drama to epic proportions. As summer settles in, the creek's melody softens to a gentle trickle. But fret not, Alger Falls never loses its charm. The moss-kissed rocks, the sun-dappled pools, and the whispering breeze all weave a spell of serenity that's as captivating as the roaring torrents of spring.

Christmas, Michigan

Christmas Michigan

Location: Alger County, Michigan 2 miles NW of Munising

KEWADIN CASINO - CHRISTMAS
Location:
N7761 Candy Cane Lane - Christmas, Michigan

Christmas was established by Julius Thorson, of Munising, who built a factory for holiday-themed products there in 1938. The surrounding area took on the name of the holiday, although in 1940, a fire destroyed the factory, ending Thorson's operation. Centrally located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Christmas is in the heart of many great year-round activities and attractions. Attractions, business and street names throughout this charming town carries out the Yuletide theme all year round. Even the Kewadin Casino has a giant Santa statue outside to welcome guests. Outside Santa’s Workshop Gift Shop you’ll also find a 35 foot tall Santa cut-out.

Kewadin Casino, Christmas, is located on M-28 just west of the beautiful town of Munising. The Christmas Casino is open seven days a week. This casino's has an atmosphere that mirrors that of a Las Vegas experience, but with the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. Vegas style gaming includes slots, Blackjack, Let it Ride and 3 Card Poker. Amenities at Kewadin Christmas include Frosty's Bar & Grill, the Northern Lights gift shop, free parking, and the Northern Rewards Players Club.

Scott Falls

Scott Falls

Location: 46.436923, -86.814454 (M-28 - Au Train Township, Michigan)

H.J. RATHFOOT STATE ROADSIDE PARK
Location:
M-28 - 1 mile east of Au Train, Michigan

Scott Falls is located along highway M-28 in Alger County, near the town of Au Train and west of Christmas. This roadside fall is truly unique and special for its size. It flows 10 feet over a sandstone ledge and pools below it. You can see this waterfall from your car or you can pull over and walk behind the waterfall and under the ledge and even wade around in the small pool beneath. The falls is across the road from the H.J. Rathfoot State Roadside Park. The park offers restrooms, picnic areas and a sandy Lake Superior beach.

Lake Superior Scenic View

Scenic View

AU TRAIN BEACH
Location:
M-28 - Au Train, Michigan

Au Train Beach is located just west of Munising in Alger County. As a part of the Hiawatha National Forest, this beach provides some of the best Lake Superior scenery in the Upper Peninsula. This is a sandy beach on the shore of Au Train River where it meets into Lake Superior right along M-28. Set back from the beach is a paved parking area, and there are sandy paths that will guide visitors from the parking area to the beach.

Laughing Whitefish Falls

Laughing Whitefish Falls

Location: M-94 and Sundell Rd intersection - Sundell, Michigan

Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the Upper Peninsula's many impressive waterfalls. The falls cascade through a picturesque gorge with old-growth white pine and hemlock trees towering above. Three observation platforms can be reached via a half-mile hike through a beech-maple forest (1 mile round-trip). A wooden staircase leads to the middle (20 stairs from the top) and lower (137 stairs from the top) observation platforms. There is a charcoal grill and hand pump for water near the parking area. Please pack trash out with you as there are no trash cans in this park.

During the winter, the park is only accessible via snowshoe or ungroomed cross-country ski trails. The road leading into the park is seasonal and unplowed with no turn-around. The dirt road leading to the park may be very muddy at times.

Eben Ice Caves

Eben Ice Caves

Location: Old Frey Road - Deerton, Michigan (Rock River Canyon Wilderness of the Hiawatha National Forest)

Eben Ice Caves is a popular winter recreation destination on the Munising Ranger District of Hiawatha National Forest. It has a unique setting and challenging approach with big maples, rock outcrops, and a stream bottom leading to an icy amphitheater. Ice curtains develop as water seeps out of and drops from overhanging sandstone ledges and then freezes, forming icicles which grow until they reach the ground and begin expanding outward.

Eben Ice Caves Trail is located near Eben Junction in Deerton in Michigan’s Alger County. This is a 2.1 miles out and back trail that leads to the Eben Ice Caves, also known as the Rock River Canyon Ice Caves. While this is a popular winter attraction once the ice caves freeze up, the trail can also be utilized in the summer though you would see little to no running water. If coming to see the ice caves, it is recommended that you plan appropriately for snow and ice. Snowshoes or ice cleats and dressing appropriate for the weather.

Episode #2302