11 Wheelchair Accessible Waterfalls in Michigan (With Map)
When most people think of Michigan’s picturesque, often rugged, waterfalls, they don’t consider wheelchair accessibility. However, numerous waterfalls in Michigan are wheelchair accessible, and the Michigan DNR is working to make more natural places in the Great Lake State more attainable for people with disabilities.
Almost all of these waterfalls are completely accessible to those in wheelchairs, but we’ve included a few that are viewable from the car, too. Though experiencing a waterfall from the car isn’t the most ideal situation, we think that the ones on this list are still worth a stop, at least until more falls are accessible!
Like the creekbed underneath Michigan’s most triumphant waterfalls, the conditions of the trails listed below are constantly changing. If something isn’t up to date, please get in touch with us so we can keep this page current!
Interactive Map of Wheelchair Accessible Waterfalls in Michigan
If you click ‘Details’ on any of the map pins, you’ll jump to that location in the article below.
Wheelchair Accessible Waterfalls
Trail Accessibility: 7.5/10
View Rating: 7/10
Eagle River Falls is one of the most triumphant waterfalls in the Keweenaw Peninsula and one of the most accessible, too. The parking area is right off M-26, and the viewing area is from the Old Lake Shore Drive Bridge, which was replaced by the new one next to it in 1990. The bridge is just feet from the parking area, so access is easy. The view of the modern timber bridge is fantastic, but the waterfall is even better! There are barriers to keep cars and ATVs off the bridge, which could stop some wider chairs from coming through, though the gaps are pretty wide. Depending on when you visit Eagle River Falls, there may be a crowd; however, for much of the year, you’ll likely be one of a few people enjoying the falls!
Trail Accessibility: 7/10
View Rating: 6/10
Munising Falls, located on the outskirts of downtown Munising, is readily wheelchair accessible thanks to the construction of a paved and wooden boardwalk trail out to the waterfall. The falls are accessible year-round, though they aren’t fully maintained in the snowy months. There’s a large parking area for the falls, thanks to the Munising Falls Visitor Center, and room for buses and RVs, too. The pathway is inclined in places, though not too steep, and the trek in total is less than a half mile there and back. At the falls, there are stairs to get a higher look, but the main viewing area is flat, and there are benches throughout. This is a great place to stop and enjoy the view or eat a pasty for lunch.
Trail Accessibility: 8/10
View Rating: 8/10
Bond Falls is one of the most popular waterfall stops in the Upper Peninsula. The boardwalks offer a panoramic view of the falls. Though wheelchair users can’t go everywhere, this is one of the better examples of making a waterfall handicapped accessible in Michigan. The trail forms a U-shaped ring around the falls, offering unique vantage points from every angle imaginable. The falls are ferocious in the springtime, but water flows year-round thanks to a controversial dam upstream. There’s ample parking here, though no spaces for larger RVs. The waterfall draws a crowd year-round, but you can have a more isolated experience with Bond Falls in the early spring and late fall, which is when we recommend visiting!
Trail Accessibility: 10/10
View Rating: 6.5/10
Though not actually the only waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Ocqueoc Falls is the most known and, by far, the most accessible. With a wide, paved trail from the large parking area to the viewing platform, it’s easy for anyone to view the tumbling rapids of the Ocqueoc River. There are recycled plastic deck ramps, too, and flat, tiered rocks that enable those in a wheelchair to get into the water below. Ocqueoc Falls is the perfect place for a picnic, to dip your toes in the water, or to enjoy the natural sounds of Michigan’s waterways. The falls are significantly closer to most of Michigan’s population than the rest of the waterfalls on this list. Plus, you might see an angler catch a trout or bass while enjoying the water.
Trail Accessibility: 4/10
View Rating: 6/10
Located just outside of Munising, Wagner Falls is accessible to most in a wheelchair via a quarter-mile trail consisting of pavement, boardwalk, and hard-packed gravel. All portions of the trail are well-maintained, so we’ve included it on the list. However, after a heavy rain, it’s essential to have someone check out the trail prior, though we’ve never visited when it wasn’t accessible. The waterfall is picturesque and a fan-favorite for those in Munising and tourists passing through town. In the winter, the falls are accessible, but the trail is not maintained, so it’s often packed with ice and snow.
Trail Accessibility: 5/10
View Rating: 4/10
Agate Falls is one of the Upper Peninsula’s most majestic waterfalls. It’s picturesque and steeped in history thanks to the railroad trestle above it. There’s a paved path to the viewing platform, which runs under two bridges, including the Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railway Bridge. The viewing platform doesn’t offer a fantastic view of the waterfall, but you can feel its triumph and see it crashing over the crest of the falls. There’s a large parking area, which sits next to the river and has bathrooms. Though the view isn’t perfect, this is an excellent place to get out of the car and see, hear, and feel Michigan’s natural beauty.
Trail Accessibility: 8/10
View Rating: 7/10
Tahquamenon Falls is one of the most developed waterfalls in Michigan, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the most stunning falls in the Midwest. Often regarded as Michigan’s ‘root beer falls’ thanks to the tannins in the water looking like a frothy cup of root beer, the pathways to the falls are paved, and numerous viewing areas are accessible in a wheelchair. Some areas require stairs to access, but the Upper Falls are more than worthy of a visit, even without the ability to take the stairs to the lower decks. This is likely the most crowded waterfall destination in Michigan, so keep that in mind when planning. After all, this is Michigan’s crown jewel waterfall. In the fall, you’re really in for a treat!
Trail Accessibility: 6/10
View Rating: 6/10
Though less mighty than the Upper Falls, Tahquamenon Falls Lower Falls is well worth visiting. Consisting of numerous rapids and minor falls, the Lower Falls is accessible via multiple paths and boardwalks, giving you all access to many of the waterfall areas within the State Park. The boat rental area isn’t wheelchair accessible, but the rest of the trails and paths are well-maintained. The park can get crowded during peak tourist season, which is worth noting. Still, the falls and rapids are well worth the view, and the park continues to expand with accessibility in mind, so there may be more places to go soon!
Waterfalls in Michigan You Can See From the Car
View From Road: 8/10
Haven Falls is a small, picturesque waterfall located on the shores of Lac La Belle. There’s a roadside park here, and the falls are visible from most of the parking spots. This park rarely bustles with people, so you won’t have to worry about crowds obstructing your views. The water flows triumphantly in the spring and fall; however, it’ll flow most year-round with various flowage. The falls are off the beaten path in the Keweenaw Peninsula; however, the route has some stellar views to make it worth the trip!
View From Road: 5/10
Jacob’s Falls is incredibly popular for three reasons. First, it’s extremely picturesque. Second, it’s located right next to M-26. You can see it as you drive by or park and check it out while on your journey through the Keweenaw Peninsula. Third, it’s right next to the Jam Pot, a bakery known for its jams run by monks. Jacob’s Falls, as mentioned, is easy to see while driving by. However, there’s a small parking area across the street. A couple of spots closest to the river offer a view of the falls, so you don’t have to get out of the car to see them! Things do get crowded some times of the year, so getting those couple of spots isn’t a guarantee. However, most folks don’t spend much time here, so you can wait for the right spot.
View From Road: 6/10
Power House Falls are perched next to an old powerhouse, hence the name. The Falls River has numerous waterfalls in L’Anse, though this is the only one viewable from the parking area. Pulling to the end of Power House Road, there will be a dirt parking area. When you pull into the parking area, you might not think you’re in the right place. However, if you park on the left side, you’ll be able to see the falls from your car. You can hear them, too, and feel the mist from the water in the spring or after a significant rain. This is a popular fishing spot, too, so you might be able to see someone catch a brook or rainbow trout while you’re enjoying the falls!
To see more waterfalls in Michigan, check out our complete guide.
If anything on this page is out of date, please let us know.
