Upper Peninsula Waterfall Wanderers

Winter’s Frozen Masterpieces Are Calling You!

Have you joined the Upper Peninsula’s Waterfall Wanderers Club? If you haven’t, now’s the time to do so because winter adventures — and prizes  — await. If you are already in the Club, then we invite you to take videos of as many of our 10 featured frozen masterpieces as you can before they roar back to life with the spring thaw!

Top Waterfalls to Visit this Winter

You know nature is powerful when it stills the mightiest waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula. Yet, these giants are never completely silent. The ice cracks, the flowing water whispers and the wind talks to you from the surrounding trees. If you want a break from your life, go waterfall wandering this winter. Any of our 10 Challenge waterfalls are must-see destinations, but you won’t want to miss these six. We recommend wearing cleats or snowshoes with metal teeth to safely traverse icy sections. 

1. Tahquamenon Falls State Park | Paradise and Newberry
   One of the most tremendous sights is seeing Michigan’s largest waterfall, the Upper Tahquamenon Falls, and five smaller cascades of the Lower Falls frozen in time on the rootbeer-color Tahquamenon River. Both are must-sees. 

2. Munising Falls | Munising
   This 50-foot waterfall drops over a cliff right in the city! The hike along the paved path is less than a half-mile round trip.

3. Alger Falls | Munising
   This is one of the easiest falls to see. Pull over where M-28 meets M-94 west and this frozen beauty is right there! No hiking is needed. 

4. Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park | Rumely
   These impressive falls cascade through a picturesque gorge with old-growth white pine and hemlock trees towering above. This magical, winter wonderland, however, is only accessible by snowshoes or cross-country skis on an ungroomed trail. But oh, is it worth it! 

5. Bond Falls Scenic Site | Paulding
   Discover why this is one of the most videoed and photographed falls in the Upper Peninsula. It’s 100 feet wide with a 50-foot drop which freezes into a spectacular site. The main parking lot is closed during the winter months so you will need to use the free roadside parking on Bond Falls Road if you visit then. 

6. Manabezho Falls | Thomaston
   If you have ever recorded this roaring giant along the last mile before the Presque Isle River enters Lake Superior, you know its majesty. But see how nature creates a new ice sculpture every winter.

How to Take the Challenge

Join the Waterfall Wanderers Club to claim prizes.

Use our Waterfall Wanderers form to join the club, receive a link to upload your video(s) and claim your prize. Be sure to provide your mailing address to receive your sticker! 

Visit the U.P. This Winter or Submit Videos from the Previous Two Years.

Venture this winter to at least one of the 10 designated waterfalls above and capture it on video. Or, if you have already explored any of the featured waterfalls during the winter in the previous two years (2022 and 2023), upload the winter videos you took of them.

Your Rewards Await!

• Every submitted video enters you for a grand prize, which includes an exclusive U.P. Travel day hiking backpack, trekking poles and other U.P. Travel merch. One grand prize will be awarded per waterfall, so you have a new chance to win with every new challenge! 
• The first 150 submissions per challenge earn a limited-edition Waterfall Wanderers sticker. Please note that stickers are limited to one per person regardless of how many waterfalls you visit. But each submission earns you another chance to win the grand prize, so keep exploring! 
• All participants will have the chance to win random prize drawings for U.P. merch throughout the challenge!

Why Join?

• Traverse diverse landscapes, searching for cascading giants to hidden gems.
• Immerse yourself in the U.P.'s unique culture and charm.
• Become part of a community of passionate explorers.
• Challenge yourself and discover the true essence of living free.

Ready to Answer the Call of the Waterfalls?

• Follow @uptravel on Instagram and Facebook for social media for new waterfall challenges and other info.
• Submit your video through the Waterfall Wanderers form in our bio.
• Start your journey today and become a Waterfall Wanderer!
• Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay updated on all Upper Peninsula information.