Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is home to a handful of stunning waterfalls (Sable Falls, Miners Falls, Munising Falls, and more), but within the park’s boundaries you can also find some smaller waterfalls that slip under the radar. Hurricane River Falls is a small drop of a few feet on the Hurricane River, and it is incredibly easy to view thanks to its location at a popular campground and day use area.

The Hurricane River is a little more than six miles long as it flows through Alger County before emptying into Lake Superior. The Hurricane River Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with 22 sites total (10 at Hurricane River Upper and 12 here at Hurricane River Lower). Two parking areas here provide access to a day use area that features the Lake Superior beach, picnic tables, and trail access. The trail to the Au Sable Point Light Station also begins here.

Hurricane River Falls can be seen from the wooden footbridge over the river, or closer by following a small footpath along the eastern bank. The drop is only a few feet but what this waterfall lacks in height it makes up for with natural beauty.

The river passes under the footbridge and continues on a shallow, rocky path before it reaches the lake. In summer months you will likely find visitors swimming or wading here.

Our recent visit found the falls partially obscured by some fallen trees. As is the case with any of the smaller waterfalls at Pictured Rocks, Hurricane River Falls will look better after heavy rainfall or spring snowmelt.

You can find the Hurricane River parking area off of H-58, roughly 12 miles west of Grand Marais or 37 miles east of Munising. If you have the time, we recommend making the walk out to the lighthouse and checking out the shipwrecks in the sand and low water on your way there or back.