Five Great Waterfalls along the Black River National Scenic Byway

The Black River begins in Wisconsin and heads north into the Michigan Upper Peninsula and finally empties into Lake Superior. While only 30 miles long, the river drops over a 1000 feet on its way to Lake Superior. The last few hundred feet of this drop are part of the Black River Scenic Parkway that includes hiking trails to five waterfalls, an attractive picnic area, a 40 unit campground, and a boat launch and harbor docking area.

The park also has an extensive sand beach on Lake Superior that also happens to be a premier Agate Hunting Beach.

Rainbow Falls (pictured above) is the highest of the five waterfalls in the park.

---

In addition to some of the prettiest waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula, the Black River National Parkway offers some fine hiking trails. The North Country Trail that runs from the Porcupine Mountains enters the Park east of Rainbow Falls, crosses the suspension bridge over the river and then runs along the ridge above the four other waterfalls before continuing West towards Wisconsin. Shorter trails run from parking areas along the Parkway to each of the waterfalls.

Black River National Scenic Byway Waterfalls

Rainbow Falls

Two shots of Rainbow Falls late May . . . and early October (on right).

Stairways lead down to viewing platforms by each waterfall.

 

Here's a video we took of the falls

---

---

Sandstone Falls

The next falls upstream from Rainbow Falls is Sandstone Falls. Click on the image for a larger view.