Ocqueoc Falls, the Lower Peninsula's biggest waterfall

Tucked into the woods of Ocqueoc Township, off M-68 between Rogers City and Onaway, Ocqueoc Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Don’t picture a towering cascade — it’s really a set of low, rocky rapids dropping a few feet, with a wide pool at the bottom that’s perfect for wading and swimming on a hot day. What makes it special isn’t the height; it’s that this is the only major waterfall most of the Lower Peninsula has.

It’s also notable for being the first universally accessible waterfall in the country, with a paved path and a ramp that lets anyone get right down to the water. The Ocqueoc River has carved its channel through the soft limestone here — the same rock that gives this part of the state its caves and sinkholes — and during the fall salmon run you can watch fish work their way up over the rocks.

The falls anchor a small state-forest park with a rustic campground and several miles of trails for hiking, biking, and skiing, called the Bicentennial Pathway. It’s a free, easygoing spot that draws families all summer. You can find trail maps and campground details at Michigan.gov/DNR.