A Waterfall Loop That Reaches Lake Superior

The Presque Isle River spends much of this hike in motion. It drops over three prominent waterfalls, slides through smaller rapids, curls around water-carved rock, and keeps up a steady rush beneath a dense Upper Peninsula forest canopy.

What makes the outing especially satisfying is its variety. A short visit can concentrate on the named falls near the parking areas, while a longer loop follows both sides of the river north toward Lake Superior. Along the way, the trail shifts from rooty woods and rocky river edges to stairs, boardwalks, overlooks and, finally, beach.

Nawadaha Falls is a quick introduction, close to its parking access. From there, the river scenery keeps changing: shale appears along the bed, smaller drops fill the spaces between the larger falls, and wooded banks frame the water rather than blocking it from view.

The loop’s two sides have distinct personalities. The east trail is the more rustic and demanding route, with frequent elevation changes, exposed roots, steep ups and downs, and places where hikers can get closer to the river on rocks beside the water. Conditions matter at those river-level viewpoints, but they provide a more immediate look at the current and the stone it has shaped.

Many people make the east side their outbound route, then return by the west side. It is a sensible progression: take on the rougher terrain while fresh, then come back through a more groomed stretch of trail.

The west side has extensive boardwalks, stairs and viewing platforms. Some overlooks include benches, giving the walk a useful pause button when the sound of the river and a wide view of the falls make lingering more appealing than moving on.

The boardwalks do more than make the route easier to follow. They also keep foot traffic off fragile ground along the river, helping protect areas that could otherwise erode under repeated use.

The three major waterfalls provide the obvious stopping points, but the in-between stretches are not filler. Smaller falls, quick runs of whitewater and low rocky shelves give the river a different look from one overlook to the next.

This is a good trail for people who enjoy looking closely rather than racing to a destination. One bend may offer churning water against dark rock; another may reveal a quieter pocket along the wooded shore. The river is doing most of the talking here, and it is hard to miss.

The shaded forest adds another layer to the walk. Flowers and fungi can turn up along the trail, while the water’s edge and shoreline may reveal frogs, snakes, crayfish and other small creatures. A careful pause can be as productive as another half-mile.

For a longer outing, the trail continues north beyond the main waterfall circuit toward Lake Superior. Near the approach, a suspension bridge crosses a branch of the river, with an especially lively final stretch of unnamed falls and rapids nearby before the water settles as it reaches the lake.

The shift from river gorge to open shoreline gives the route a pleasing second act. After the close, shaded feel of the forest, the beach opens up room for rock hunting, skipping stones, wading and swimming in Lake Superior.

The shoreline has enough simple activity to occupy a mixed-age group without much planning. Children can handle driftwood and look for tiny beach creatures while adults inspect the stones, and everybody can take a slow walk along the water.

The river itself is not considered safe for swimming. Save water play for the Lake Superior shore farther along the route.

Several short walks from the parking areas provide access to individual waterfalls, so the site works for a brief stop as well as a longer ramble. Loop distances vary with the starting point and route choices, ranging from a little over two miles to around four miles; an east-to-west route is commonly about 3.2 miles.

The river-and-lake extension also connects naturally with longer North Country Trail outings. Some visitors use the area as a launch point for overnight hammock camping, while others are content to give the falls, bridge and beach a leisurely afternoon.

Dogs are welcome on the trail, and the route has been used for dog walking. The mixture of river overlooks, woods and shoreline gives a walk plenty of built-in breaks from straightforward trail miles.

Free parking is available near the trail, including access near Nawadaha Falls and parking by the overpass or ranger area. Restrooms are available at at least one parking area.

Sturdy shoes are useful here. The route includes stairs, boardwalk transitions, roots, uneven ground and rocky spots near the river, with the east side generally requiring more careful footing than the west.

Snow and ice can make sections tricky in colder conditions. In summer, mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks can be part of a forest walk, so conditions may shape how comfortable the day feels.

Because stairs, steep pitches, roots and uneven terrain are built into portions of the route, it is not an all-access trail despite the easier west-side sections. Temporary construction or closures can also affect access and which waterfalls are visible, so checking current conditions before heading out is worthwhile.