Best dog-friendly waterfall hikes in Michigan
48 verified hikes from our directory of 227 Michigan waterfalls.
What we mean by dog friendly
Dog-friendly means the land manager allows leashed dogs on this specific trail. State parks and National Forests usually do; National Park trails almost never. We mark dog_friendly only when we've confirmed the policy applies to the trail, not just the parking lot.
One caveat: Leash rules are enforced. Bring a 6-foot leash, waste bags, and water for the dog. Hot rock and pavement burn paws — check temperature with your hand for 5 seconds before letting them walk on it.
Gear hint: Our dog Brook carries her own water in a fitted pack; we carry her booties for shale and hot pavement. Cold-water tail-tuck on small breeds is real — keep them out of glacial plunge pools.
The 48 picks
Each opens to a full page with trail distance, elevation gain, parking, fee, best months, and live conditions when available.
Abinodji Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Algonquin Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Au Train Falls
height unverified · Hiawatha National Forest
Bonanza Falls
10 ft · 0.1 mi
Bond Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Watersmeet Ranger District
Chippewa Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Deer Creek Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Gabbro Falls
40 ft · 0.3 mi · 50 ft climb
Gleason Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Gorge Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Great Conglomerate Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Haymeadow Falls
height unverified · Hiawatha National Forest
Hogger Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Ontonagon Ranger District
Iagoo Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Iagoo Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Judson Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Laughing White Fish Falls
height unverified · Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park
Lepisto Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Little Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Watersmeet Ranger District
Little Trap Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Little Union Gorge Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Manabezho Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Manganese Falls
height unverified · Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
Manido Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Minnewawa Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Nawadaha Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Nelson Canyon Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Nimikon Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Nokomis Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Ogima Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Ogimakwe Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Pewabeck Falls
height unverified · Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Potawatomi Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Rainbow Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Rapid River Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bergland Ranger District
Rock River Falls
height unverified · Rock River Canyon Wilderness
Sandstone Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Bessemer Ranger District
Scott Falls
height unverified · Hiawatha National Forest
Silver Falls
height unverified · Hiawatha National Forest
Sturgeon Falls
height unverified · Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
Tahquamenon Falls (Lower Falls)
height unverified · Tahquemenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Falls (Upper Falls)
height unverified · Tahquemenon Falls State Park
Upper Bond Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Watersmeet Ranger District
Vista Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Ontonagon Ranger District
West Branch Sturgeon Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Ontonagon Ranger District
West Branch Yellow Dog Falls
height unverified · McCormick Wilderness
Wolverine Falls
height unverified · Ottawa National Forest - Watersmeet Ranger District
Yellow Dog Falls
height unverified · McCormick Wilderness
Before you go: 5 things we always check
- The official land manager's page for road and trail closures (linked on every individual waterfall page).
- The weather forecast for the area AND upstream — flash floods come from rain miles away.
- Recent ranger or hiker reports for slippery rock conditions.
- Whether the trail crosses a creek without a bridge — water levels change daily in snowmelt season.
- Cell coverage at the trailhead. Download offline maps in advance.
See our full safety disclaimer for the dangers we've flagged on individual waterfalls. Several have fatalities on record.