Location: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Streaming through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a beautiful and scenic river known as Presque Isle River. Enjoy hiking a 2.3-mile loop around this stunning river. Waterfalls, potholes, and Lake Superior await you.
Presque Isle River is 42.1 miles long and flows through the Upper Peninsula, including Ottawa National Forest. It empties into Lake Superior in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Within the last mile, the river drops several feet creating a series of low falls and cascades known as the waterfalls of Presque Isle River.
Nawadaha Falls
Within this stretch, the farthest upstream waterfall is Nawadaha Falls. It is the smallest waterfall in the series. When the water is high, the falls turns more into rapids than a waterfall.
Manido Falls
Roughly a half-mile downstream is Manido Falls. About 25 feet in height, this multiple drop waterfall is one of my favorite in the series. I enjoy visiting it in the low water season because it’s easier to see the rock surrounding it. Over the years, the rock has been eroded into beautiful potholes and smooth shapes.
Manabezho Falls
Downstream 0.23 miles from Manido Falls is the most impressive waterfall in the series. Manabezho Falls is 20 to 25 feet in height and is a single drop. Like Manido, my favorite time to visit is when the water levels are low. While very powerful in the spring, the water hides a lot of the rock textures.
The Potholes
Not technically waterfalls but extremely unique, the Potholes are just upstream from Lake Superior. These are a series of cascades caused by deep erosion. When the river is low, these potholes become more prominent.
Additional Waterfalls
Outside of the park, Presque Isle River is also home to Iagoo Falls, Lepisto Falls, Nokomis Falls, Nimikon Falls, Minnewawa Falls, and Yondota Falls. We have yet to visit these ones.