Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park

Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the most beautiful and underrated waterfalls in the central Upper Peninsula, where the Laughing Whitefish River spills and cascades roughly 100 feet down a broad face of terraced rock in a quiet state park near Sundell, east of Munising. The wide, multi-tiered cascade fans out over mossy ledges in a graceful sheet, especially full and lovely in spring.

Protected as a Michigan state park scenic area, the falls are reached by an easy forest trail of about half a mile, ending at a stairway and viewing platforms that descend alongside the cascade. Peaceful and far less crowded than the famous falls of nearby Pictured Rocks, Laughing Whitefish Falls rewards visitors with a serene forest walk and one of the tallest, most graceful waterfalls in the region.

The main activity is the easy walk to the falls — a forest trail of about half a mile leads to a stairway and viewing platforms that descend alongside the tall cascade. Hiking, photography and taking in the peaceful setting are the draws. The quiet park offers a serene alternative to the busy Pictured Rocks falls, ideal for a tranquil outing, and the surrounding central-U.P. country adds more waterfalls and forest to explore.

Spring snowmelt brings the falls to their fullest and most spectacular. Summer offers a cool, shady forest walk and easy trail conditions. Fall frames the broad cascade in brilliant color. Winter turns the falls into dramatic ice for prepared visitors. The shaded trail is pleasant on hot days, and soft or overcast light is best for photographing the wide, terraced cascade without harsh glare.

Laughing Whitefish Falls and its river carry an evocative name translated from the Ojibwe, and the area lies in the timber and mining country of the central Upper Peninsula. The falls were set aside as a state park scenic area to protect the cascade and its fragile setting while giving visitors easy access. It has long been a quiet favorite among those exploring the many waterfalls of the region east of Munising.

Laughing Whitefish Falls descends a broad face of terraced limestone and dolomite, the river fanning out over the stepped ledges to create its graceful, wide cascade — a different character from the sandstone falls of nearby Pictured Rocks. The soluble, layered rock and the river’s erosion have shaped the falls’ distinctive form. The surrounding forested terrain reflects the glacially worked landscape of the central U.P.

The hardwood and conifer forest around the falls shelters white-tailed deer, black bear, porcupine, snowshoe hare and a variety of woodland birds, while the river draws kingfishers, mergansers and songbirds. The cool, oxygenated Laughing Whitefish River supports aquatic life, and the quiet park and surrounding central-U.P. forest make for fine, peaceful wildlife habitat away from the crowds.

The shaded, spray-moistened falls and gorge support lush communities of moss, fern and northern forest, with the limestone rock hosting its own specialized plants. The river and surrounding woods form a healthy riparian and forest ecosystem within the protected park. Keeping to the trail, stairway and platforms protects the fragile rock-face vegetation and the streambanks from erosion and trampling.

Laughing Whitefish Falls is a cherished quiet gem of the central Upper Peninsula, valued for its height, grace and serenity. While the nearby Pictured Rocks falls draw crowds, this state park offers a peaceful forest-and-waterfall experience that has made it a favorite of photographers, waterfall lovers and those seeking a calmer corner of the U.P.’s waterfall country.

Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park is reached via county roads off M-94 near Sundell, east of Munising in Alger County. A forest trail of about half a mile leads from the parking area to the stairway and viewing platforms beside the falls. The walk is easy, though the stairway is steep; a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry. Check the DNR for current access and conditions.

The DNR manages the state park scenic area to protect the falls, its fragile rock-face plants and the river while providing public access. Visitors protect Laughing Whitefish Falls by staying on the trail, stairway and platforms, keeping off the rock and vegetation, and packing out everything they bring. The built stairway and platforms concentrate foot traffic to preserve the delicate setting.

Stay on the trail, stairway and platforms — the rock and streambanks are slippery and erode easily, and climbing on the falls is prohibited and dangerous. The stairway is steep; watch your footing, especially when wet. Keep back from edges, particularly with children. In winter the trail and stairs are icy and the falls a destination for the well-prepared. Dress for the cool, damp setting even in summer.

A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry. Stay on the designated trail, stairway and platforms; climbing on the falls or rock is prohibited. Pets must be leashed. Pack out all trash, as facilities are limited. Collecting plants or rock is restricted. Respect posted signs at this state park scenic area, and check the DNR for any seasonal access information.

Munising and the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore lie to the west, with Munising Falls, Wagner Falls, Miners Falls and the painted cliffs all close. The Hiawatha National Forest, Au Train, and the wider central-U.P. waterfall country surround the park, offering still more cascades, trails and Lake Superior shoreline to explore on a U.P. waterfall tour.

Pair Laughing Whitefish Falls with the Munising-area waterfalls and Pictured Rocks for a full U.P. waterfall tour, while enjoying its quieter setting. Come in spring for the fullest flow or fall for color. Wear sturdy shoes for the trail and steep stairway, and shoot in soft light to capture the wide, terraced cascade. Bring a Recreation Passport for park entry.