Tucked into the forests of Alger County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park protects one of the most striking waterfalls in a region famous for them. The park’s centerpiece is a 100-foot cascade where the Laughing Whitefish River plunges over a layered dolomite and sandstone ledge, fanning out across the rock face in a broad, lacy curtain that’s especially dramatic during spring snowmelt.

A well-maintained trail of roughly one mile leads from the parking area through a dense northern hardwood forest of sugar maple, yellow birch, and hemlock before reaching a wooden staircase and viewing platform at the falls. The hike is moderate — mostly flat with a steep descent at the end — and rewards visitors with one of the Upper Peninsula’s most photogenic scenes without the crowds that gather at nearby Pictured Rocks or Tahquamenon Falls.

At 971 acres, the park offers quiet space for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in winter. Wildlife sightings are common; keep an eye out for pileated woodpeckers, white-tailed deer, and the occasional black bear at a distance. The park is day-use only with no developed campground, though nearby options in the Hiawatha National Forest and along the Lake Superior shoreline provide plenty of places to set up camp.

Visit in late May through early June for peak waterfall flow, or in late September when the surrounding hardwoods erupt in fall color. Either way, bring sturdy footwear for the staircase descent.

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