Lower Michigan’s Hidden Gem: Ocqueoc Falls

A pleasant drive through farm country brings you to the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. With it, comes a pleasant surprise.

Rocks and water

Measuring in at only 10 feet in height, I held low expectations for Ocqueoc Falls, but what we found at the end of a short walk was anything but disappointing. There are two primary drops to this scenic and beautiful waterfall. The paved walkway takes you directly to the first and the larger of the two. The second drop is downstream a few hundred feet. Both offer the opportunity for a quick dip in the Ocqueoc River, which a few kids were taking advantage of.

Waterfall
Waterfall

Surrounding the falls is six miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails that are looped and well marked. We didn’t take the trails but for what we saw, they looked like well-worn dirt paths. Camping is available across the road the road from the falls in the Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground. The campground has 15 sites for tents or small trailers and is first come, first serve. There are vault toilets and a hand pump for water; a typical rustic campground.

More details about the park can be found at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground.

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