Carp River Falls


May 2006

State: Michigan

Location: Marquette

Height: 30?

Crest: 30

Water Source: Carp River

Waypoint: 46.50293N 87.44811W

Summary: Carp River Falls is one of the more impressive waterfalls in Marquette County, but seeing it takes a lot of work, and requires a challenging climb. It is definitely worth a visit, especially if you are looking for a challenge, but otherwise you may just settle for seeing Morgan Falls.

The Carp River makes a noisy, tumultuous journey through Marquette county on its way to Lake Superior. The final 5 miles of the river from Carp Lake to Lake Superior drops over 600 feet and there are long stretches of rapids, white water, and many small falls. At Carp River Falls the river drops over 30 feet while taking a sharp curve.

Reaching this waterfall is not easy, and getting a good view of it requires a precarious climb into and out of the gorge. From Morgan Falls you can cross Morgan Creek above the falls (there is a crude bridge) and follow a rough trail upstream along the banks of the Carp River for about 1/2 mile. You will see and hear lots of white water. The trail goes high above the river when you reach the falls, and there are no good views from the rim, so if you really want to see it, you need to climb down, and then back up.

There are many rapids and smaller falls both above and below the main falls. You could spend a lot of time here trying to see all of them.

Here is a short movie of Carp River Falls.

[Lake Superior] [Marquette] Nearby Falls

The smaller, but much easier to visit Morgan Falls are a bit over a half mile downstream where Morgan Creek joins the Carp River. Warner Falls and Black River Falls are both within a half hour drive.

Other Websites

Pictures of other drops on the Carp River can be found here.

Photo Gallery




Close up of middle section

Another drop upstream

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Last Modified: Saturday, 03-Oct-2009 20:57:22 MDT.

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