Yellow Dog River Falls
As far as waterfalls go near Big Bay, Yellow Dog River Falls is probably the most popular. The falls and surrounding chunks of the river are owned by the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the entire watershed of the Yellow Dog River and its surrounding areas in their natural state. Because of their hard work, we can enjoy falls like Yellow Dog River Falls.
The trailhead for the waterfalls is located on CR 510—a dirt road that completes a long oval between Marquette and Big Bay. Whereas CR 550 is a paved and well-maintained road, the main purpose of CR 510 is to service the logging operations along it. Plus, it allows folks with homes and camps on the rugged landscape can access their property. The road is dirt, bumpy, and rocky in places, but more than doable in a standard sedan.
The trailhead is easy to find but doesn't have a ton of markings along the roadside. From the entrance to the trail, Yellow Dog River Falls is roughly a mile out and a mile back to your car afterward. The woods on the hike are quite pristine, and there are several beautiful views of the Yellow Dog River along the way. While we were there the first time, there were volunteers planting trees, which was cool to see. Most of this area looks the way it does thanks to the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.
The falls themselves are quite a treat. A large outcropping of rock splits two falls, with the water coming together once more, only to fall over smaller falls and rapids before landing in a large, slow-moving pool. There are many vantage points to utilize here, and the pool is a popular place for swimming in the summer.
The Yellow Dog River dumps into Lake Independence (on the opposite side of Perkins Park & Campground). After the main falls, there are a handful more waterfalls–none of which are as significant as those pictured here. We didn’t have time to venture further down the river on this trip—but it’s on our list for next time.
Although I found nearby Alder Falls to be more serene, I did enjoy visiting Yellow Dog River Falls. It’s a unique fall, and we were one of two groups there for the half hour we spent enjoying its beauty. Given the short hike and picturesque landscape, it’s a great place to meditate, have a picnic, or pass the time.
