Miners Falls Trail Hiking Guide
The Miners River drops about 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop here, and the park rates it the most powerful waterfall it has. The walk in is short and gently rolling, which makes this one of the best bets for families and for anyone traveling with a dog. Miners Castle is farther up the same road, so the two pair easily.
Permit: A park entrance pass applies at this trailhead. Seven days runs $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 for one person on foot or bicycle (16 and older). America the Beautiful and the $45 park annual pass count. Passes sell at Munising Falls Visitor Center and local shops, by card at park sites.
The Walk
Both the park and Hiking Project put the trail at 0.6 mile each way. The path is gravel and dirt, rolling through northwoods with views into the Miners Basin. Hiking Project's profile loses 125 feet and gains 16 on the way in, so the round trip comes to about 141 feet of climbing, nearly all of it heading back to the car. onX shows 195 feet for the same one-way distance. It is an easy walk by any of those numbers.
Two Platforms and 64 Steps
The upper platform comes first and already gives a good look at the falls. Sixty-four steps lead down to the lower deck, which is closer to the water and worth doing if your knees allow. Those stairs are due for replacement: in June 2026 the park closed the trail for a few days of soil boring to design a new stair structure, anticipated in 2027. A closure is likely when it goes in, so check the park's alerts if you are visiting that year.
Finding the Trailhead
Take County Road H-58 east from Munising to Miners Castle Road (H-11) and go north 4 miles. A short side road runs 1/2 mile to a small lot. Vehicles over 32 feet aren't allowed on it, so leave the big RV at Miners Castle. There's a seasonal vault toilet but nothing else, so bring water. Park maps beat phone navigation in this area; the park says GPS is often unreliable and warns against narrow two-tracks that end in expensive tows.
Bringing a Dog
Unusually for this park, leashed pets are welcome on the trail and at both platforms. The leash can't be over 6 feet, and droppings need to be bagged and carried to a trash can. Don't leave a dog in the car while you hike. Stairs may be hard for some older dogs, but the upper deck alone is a fine turnaround. If you want more dog-legal walking the same day, the paved Miners Castle paths are farther up Miners Castle Road.
Seasons
Spring brings abundant wildflowers, and the park also singles out fall color. Snow normally sticks around until late April, however, and the access road sits on the unplowed network: from December 1 through March 31 it is open to snowmobiles only, with roads reopening only once snow melts. Hunting is legal in the park after Labor Day, so bright clothing makes sense in the fall even on a short walk like this.
Hiking tips for Miners Falls Trail
- Take the 64 steps to the lower platform if you can; the view is closer.
- Save a little energy for the walk out, which is mostly uphill.
- Leave large RVs elsewhere, since vehicles over 32 feet can't use the road.
- Bag dog waste and hold the leash to 6 feet or shorter.
- Come in spring for wildflowers, once the road has melted out.
Nearby trails to explore
- Miners Castle Overlook
- Chapel Rock Trail
- Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
This is an easy one to invite a friend on, dog included. Post a Miners Falls walk in TrailMates, keep the details in the event's group chat, and pair it with the Miners Castle overlooks if the group wants more. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.