Upper Peninsula of Michigan Waterfalls
O Kun de kun Falls : Bond Falls : Ogemaw Falls : Quartzite FallsSilver Creek Falls : Wyandotte Falls : Scott Falls
O kun De Kun Falls
Waterfall Rating: 10 (scale 1-10)Accessibility: Semi-easy
Location: Ontonagon County - Baltimore River
GPS Location: 46.651358, -89.152558 (where falls are)
GPS for parking: 46.646948, -89.175370 (mark this point and drive here)
Hiking distance: 1.3 miles (one-way)
Hiking Time: 30-45min (one-way)
Height of falls: about 20 feet
Width: 20 feet
Important information: Always take your time when hiking if an accident should occur help could be hours away. When you are hiking into a waterfall you should at minimum bring the suggested items below, better to be prepared for things than not prepared. Most of all ENJOY the Upper Peninsula waterfalls.
Things to consider bringing: Depending on the hike you may consider bringing a camera, waterproof hiking boots/rubber boots, rain poncho/coat, headlamp/flashlight (if close to dark), bug spray(during bug season), rope/paracord, small first aid kit, whistle, small pack or waist pack, a friend, a dog.
O kun-de-Kun Falls information:
O kun-de-kun Falls located in Ontonagon county of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This waterfall is one of the most scenic in Ontonagon county and has quickly become a favorite for both tourists and locals to visit all four-seasons of the year. It is a beautiful ledge waterfall with a small cave located behind it, yes you can get behind the waterfall. If you are careful and the water flow is low enough, you can get behind the falls, but use caution because you could slip, fall, and hurt yourself, or you might end up in the river swimming. You have some nice views of the ravine below from the top and can stand on the ledge at the top and view the falls below but be careful it is high. Once you get to the waterfall continue down the North Country Trail a little further to get the the bridge you see from the top. You will first arrive to an area in which people take a break for some food and talk, continue down to the bridge to cross the river. You can follow the well worn path that leads you to a wall of sandstone where you will follow it to the side of the waterfall for an up close and personal view of the waterfall close enough to get some mist during high water levels. If you have hiked to the bridge and don't go to the other side up close to the waterfall you would really be missing out. The creamy chocolate color of the water is a result of the extensive amount of clayey plain which formed a drainage area over 9500 years ago during the Valders glaciation. The type of forest you will encounter is a typical hardwood forest with hemlock, maple, birch, and aspen, a few oaks may be sprinkled in as well.
To get to the waterfall you will have to do some hiking on uneven ground and across boardwalks and bridges. The round trip hike is just shy of 3 miles along the North Country Trail (USA's longest National Scenic Trail, 4600mi). In the fall of 2019 newly installed boardwalks and bridges have made the trail much more accessible and less muddy. You may still find some a few muddy areas so be prepared to get your shoes or boots dirty, especially early in the spring or after a rain.
There is enough room for about 10 vehicles comfortably in a circled parking lot located of Hwy45. Try to carpool if possible to allow parking for others, especially during the weekend or weeks of events and holidays. In the winter the parking lot is plowed and open but don't always expect it to be plowed everyday as snowstorms can come quickly.
NOTE: This waterfall is the second waterfall along the trail. The first waterfall before O Kun-de-kun falls is called Konteka Falls or also referred to Upper O Kun-de-kun falls.
Extra Information: Some might be wondering on the unusual name of this waterfall, hard to say for many and harder for people to spell. The waterfall is named after a famous Chippewa chief of Ontonagon county, Chief O kun-de-kun. Fun fact: Chief O kun-de-kun once owned the world famous Ontonagon Boulder (large piece of float copper), which is in Washington D.C. and once was on display at the Smithsonian Museum and now is located at the Natural History Museum.
Camping opportunities
Camping is always available in the Ottawa National Forest. If you are thinking of camping around these waterfalls, do so further down the North Country Trail at least a 1/4mi away.
Fishing opportunities
I haven't ever fished at these waterfalls or on the Baltimore river and I am not aware of anyone who has, the river isn't very clear and the Baltimore river runs pretty dry much of the summer and fall.
O Kun-de-kun Falls is one the beautiful waterfalls in the Ottawa National Forest one of over 550 waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I sure hope you can visit O Kun de Kun falls soon it is beautiful any season of the year, be sure to share your photos/videos #UPfalls #upperpeninsulawaterfalls
Always have fun, always be safe, and never stop exploring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
- Yooper Steve - UP Adventure Guide/Photographer/Filmmaker
UP Guided Adventures - UpperPeninsulaTours.com - UP Tours Facebook Page
COMING SOON: Waterfalls by county
Alger :
Baraga :
Chippewa :
Delta :
Dickinson :
Gogebic
Houghton :
Iron :
Keweenaw :
Luce :
Mackinac :
Marquette
Menominee :
Ontonagon :
Schoolcraft
Houghton : Iron : Keweenaw : Luce : Mackinac : Marquette
Menominee : Ontonagon : Schoolcraft