Laughing Whitefish Falls Scenic Site

Photography by James Marvin Phelps

This memorable waterfall materializes suddenly, without an audible announcement, from an insignificant-looking creek. Walk gradually downhill on a quarter-mile gravel path, first through an old field, often studded with wildflowers, then into a hardwood forest.

When you reach a stairway, you're looking at a dramatic hundred-foot wall of water cascading over a vertical limestone shelf. The stairway descends to the stream alongside the stone canyon wall, where water has sculpted little hollows. It's a 20-minute walk each way.

A picnic area and restrooms encourage a relaxed outing. Three observation decks afford different vantage points on the falls.

Unlike most waterfalls, this one is best visited at midday. The ravine is so steep, it's dark at other times.

Note: the falls can also be reached from Deerton via Peter White Road, a two-track, if it's not muddy. See Deerton.

The falls, though out of the way, is well signed. From M-94 in Sundell, go north on Dorsey Rd. In about 2 miles, turn right to the access road. The parking lot is in half a mile. Handicap accessible: no.
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