O-Kun-de-Kun Falls in the winter!

This waterfall is one of our favorites in the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We live so close that we come here very often. Like so many others, we love this one in the winter the best!

Early in the winter as the waterfall just begins to freeze is our personal favorite. The water is still flowing nicely, but unique ice formations start along the edges of the falls and in the cave behind the waterfall. It's something you really need to see for yourself!

The trailhead is located right off US-45 about 8 miles north of Bruce Crossing in the Western Upper Peninsula. The Ottawa National Forest even plows the trailhead here throughout the winter!

The hike from the trailhead to the suspension bridge over the Baltimore River, just below the waterfall is about 1.5 miles each way. This is an out and back trail, so you will be coming back on the same trail you took to get there, which is also part of the North Country Trail. Plan on hiking about 3 miles total if you decide to cross the bridge to the other side of the waterfall to check out the cave behind the falls (highly recommend doing this if you can!)

Along the way, several hundred feet upstream from O-Kun-de-Kun Falls you will also pass by Konteka Falls. This waterfall is smaller than O-Kun-de-kun Falls, but still so much fun to explore and photograph.

The trail to the falls is usually packed down from hikers in the winter, but I would recommend using snowshoes if you have them and the conditions call for it. Crampons or some sort of boot traction is also recommended if you plan on exploring around the falls because it can get quite slippery.

Take some snacks...and have a break while you take in the sights at one of our favorite places in the Upper Peninsula!

Location: The trailhead for this hike is located right off US-45 about 8 miles north of Bruce Crossing. It can be found on Google Maps.