Hi there!
The main path at the Agate Falls Scenic Site from the roadside park won’t take you to the bottom of the waterfalls, but the overlook will give you a peak at it!
Agate Falls is one of the many waterfalls to see when you’re making a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!
Side note! Check the reviews at partner websites included below!
How to save money on your trip
I use hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cottages.
Munising is the major gateway town of Pictured Rocks. Look at Boarders Inn and Suites that has very good reviews, or the Au Train Motel that has okay reviews but is cheaper.
In Marquette, take a look at the Days Inn Wyndham.
Or, go camping in Pictured Rocks (book early!) or look for more Upper Peninsula campgrounds.
Empire is the small gateway town for Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Traverse City is "big" city nearby. (Look for hotels near Sleeping Bear Dunes.)
Or, go camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes.
/end side note
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This is a part of the Western Upper Peninsula heritage trail
You can see a bridge that’s a Michigan Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Ontonagon River Middle Branch Bridge
First, you’ll drive across the bridge as you are driving to Agate Falls scenic site. (If you’re driving from the west.)
Then, you’ll walk under the bridge as you’re walking to the Agate Falls overlook.
When to go to Agate Falls during your UP trip
Agate Falls is located in the western Upper Peninsula.
If you’re spending a few days in the Porcupine Mountains, then you can make it a day trip (or half day trip) to Bond Falls with a stop at Agate Falls. (Bond Falls is another state scenic site and ranks up there as one of the best waterfalls in Michigan!)
Explore the map.
If you’re driving from the Porcupine Mountains to the eastern UP, it can make sense to stop at Agate Falls Scenic Site too. It can make for a perfect picnic spot to break up the drive a little bit. There’s a basic no-flush toilet here to make it a bathroom stop too.
Drive times from Agate Falls to popular spots in the UP:
- Agate Falls to the Porcupine Mountains is around 1 hour
- Agate Falls to Copper Harbor is around 2 hours
- Agate Falls to Marquette is around 1.5 hours
- Agate Falls to Munising is around 2.5 hours
- Agate Falls to Kitch-it-kipi is around 3 hours
- Agate Falls to Tahquamenon Falls is around 4 hours.
- Agate Falls to the Mackinac Bridge is around 4 hours
See more ideas for where to go during your UP trip.
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And now…
PHOTOS
I made a visit to Agate Falls in July 2020. I only went to the main overlook which was a short paved trail to get to. It will take maybe 5 minutes to walk to the Agate Falls overlook from the parking lot.
I guess there is also an unofficial trail somewhere that will lead you to the base of the falls.
The trail to the base of Agate Falls is described by the US National Forest Service as:
The trail leading to the falls is not long but is moderately difficult in grade.
You can read about more it in the google reviews here.
Below is what it is a bit what it’s like to go to the Agate Falls overlook only. aka the easy way to see the waterfalls… although admittedly the views don’t compare to seeing them at the base of the waterfalls!
Either way, it makes for a nice spot to break up your drive a little bit when you’re driving from the Porcupine Mountains and heading to the east!
There is no cost to enter the Agate Falls scenic site roadside park or to visit the waterfalls.
And then you can walk back to the parking lot!
And that’s a bit of what it’s like to go to the Agate Falls overlook!
More things to do in western UP:
- Bond Falls scenic site
- Riverwalk to waterfalls in the Porcupine Mountains
- Best hike in the Porcupine Mountains
- Stops to make on the drive to Copper Harbor
HAPPY VISIT TO SEE AGATE FALLS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN!
Top places to visit in Michigan:
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Upper Peninsula Michigan
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
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