Au Train Falls is one of those Upper Peninsula waterfalls that can look completely different from one visit to the next. Sometimes the Au Train River is flowing hard and water is pouring over the long layers of rock. Other times you can show up and find barely more than a trickle. That is part of what makes Au Train Falls interesting.
The waterfall is located along the Au Train River in Alger County, not far from Munising. The river is part of a hydroelectric system, which means the amount of water flowing over the falls can be affected by the operation of the dam and power plant upstream. Michigan DNR information confirms that operation of the hydroelectric system affects flow in the Au Train River. When the water is flowing well, Au Train Falls is beautiful. The river spreads out and cascades over layers of exposed rock instead of making one giant straight drop. It is another example of just how different Michigan waterfalls can be from one another.
There is also some interesting Upper Peninsula history here, including the dam, hydroelectric plant and the large pipes you can see around the river. There is one important thing you need to know before visiting, though. Access around Au Train Falls has changed, and you need to pay attention to the signs when you arrive.
Where Is Au Train Falls in Michigan?
Au Train Falls is located along the Au Train River in Alger County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is roughly 15 miles from Munising, making it an easy waterfall to add to a day of exploring the Munising and Pictured Rocks area. Local tourism information lists Au Train Falls as one of the waterfalls visitors can find west of Munising near Power Dam Road. You do not need to dedicate an entire day to visiting this waterfall. That is one of the things I have always liked about it. When access is available, you can stop, explore the area for a little while, take some pictures and continue on to another Upper Peninsula destination.
Is Au Train Falls Worth Visiting?
I think Au Train Falls is worth visiting if you are already exploring waterfalls around Munising. It is especially good for someone putting together an Upper Peninsula waterfall road trip. You have Laughing Whitefish Falls, Scott Falls, Wagner Falls and several other waterfalls throughout the Munising area, so Au Train Falls can fit nicely into a day of waterfall hunting. I probably would not plan an entire day around this one. Instead, I think of Au Train Falls as a great quick stop. See the waterfall. Check out the hydroelectric history. Take some pictures. Then head to the next adventure.
Can You Visit Au Train Falls Right Now?
This is the most important part of planning a visit to Au Train Falls. Access information online is currently inconsistent. Some Munising tourism resources still describe walking beyond a gate toward the Lower Au Train Falls viewing area. However, recent 2026 visitor reports describe gates and No Trespassing signs blocking portions of the traditional access area. On my last visit, there were private property signs near the end of the dirt road. I also saw several people continuing past them toward the bridge. That does not make it legal. If you arrive and see a No Trespassing or Private Property sign, do not walk past it unless you have permission from the property owner. I would not rely on an older waterfall guide, blog post or map that tells you to simply walk around a gate. Conditions and property access can change. Follow what is posted when you arrive.
Is Au Train Falls on Private Property?
Parts of the traditional access route around the hydroelectric facilities appear to involve private property. That is something visitors need to take seriously. Some older guides still describe walking past the gate to reach the bridge and waterfall, while recent visitors have reported that the area is now posted against trespassing. That makes this one of those waterfalls where you should check the current situation before making the trip. If signs tell you an area is closed, stay out. There are enough incredible waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula that there is no reason to risk a trespassing ticket just to get a better picture.
What Does Au Train Falls Look Like?
Au Train Falls is a cascading waterfall rather than one huge vertical drop. The Au Train River flows over a series of broad rock ledges, creating multiple little drops across the river. When the water level is high, the entire area can look dramatically different. Water spreads across the exposed rock and creates long sections of white water. When the river is low, more of the layered rock becomes visible and the falls can become much smaller. That makes Au Train Falls a waterfall you could visit several times and never see exactly the same way twice.
Why Does the Water Level at Au Train Falls Change So Much?
The biggest thing to understand about Au Train Falls is that water flow is influenced by the hydroelectric system upstream. There is a dam on the Au Train River that creates the Cleveland Cliffs Basin, and the hydroelectric project affects how water moves through this section of the river. Michigan DNR fisheries information notes that operation of the power plant can affect stream flow. That means you cannot always assume that heavy rain automatically equals a roaring waterfall. I have visited when the falls were barely flowing. I have also seen them with much stronger water. If you show up and the waterfall looks smaller than the pictures you saw online, you probably did not find the wrong waterfall. You may have just picked a day when less water was moving through the system.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Au Train Falls?
If your main goal is seeing Au Train Falls with a stronger flow, spring is probably your best chance. Local tourism information notes that the falls can become very low during dry periods but flow much stronger during spring. That does not guarantee anything because of the hydroelectric system. But spring snowmelt combined with wetter conditions generally gives you a better chance of seeing more water. Fall would also be a great time to photograph the area. The wide rock cascades surrounded by Upper Peninsula fall colors can make for some beautiful pictures.
Is Au Train Falls a Difficult Hike?
Historically, one of the attractions of Au Train Falls has been how little hiking is required. The old route toward the lower falls followed what was basically a dirt or gravel road. It was relatively level and much easier than hiking through a rough forest trail. Older tourism information describes the walk as short, generally taking around 15 minutes or less. The bigger issue now is not the difficulty of the walk. It is whether the route you want to use is currently open to the public. Always follow the current signs and closures.
Is Au Train Falls Good for Kids?
Under normal legal access conditions, the terrain itself has historically been pretty manageable for families. The old road toward the falls was relatively flat, so children could handle the walk without much trouble. A good jogging stroller would also be much easier here than on many of the rocky waterfall trails around the Upper Peninsula. However, I would check current access before bringing the family specifically for this waterfall. If the route is posted as private property or closed, I would simply move on to another nearby waterfall. Laughing Whitefish Falls, Wagner Falls and several other waterfalls around Munising give families good alternatives.
The Au Train Dam and Hydroelectric History
Au Train Falls is interesting because you get more than just a waterfall. You also get a little lesson in Upper Peninsula industrial history. The Au Train hydroelectric project was originally developed by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. The dam created the Cleveland Cliffs Basin, and the hydroelectric plant used the river to generate electricity for industrial operations in the region. As you explore the area, you may notice large pipes running near or across portions of the river. Those are not random abandoned pipes. They are connected to the hydroelectric system and carried water from the reservoir toward the generating plant. I always like places like this because you are getting two things at once. You get the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula and a little bit of the history that helped shape the area.
Why Are There Large Pipes Near Au Train Falls?
The large pipes are part of the hydroelectric system. Water from the reservoir was directed through the system toward the generating plant downstream. When you first see them, they can seem a little strange sitting next to such a natural looking waterfall. But they are part of the story of Au Train Falls. The waterfall sits between the dam and the hydroelectric generating area, so the natural landscape and industrial history have been connected here for generations. There is also information in the area explaining portions of the hydroelectric system. If you are visiting with kids, it can turn a quick waterfall stop into a small history lesson too.
Au Train Falls for Photography
Au Train Falls can be a great waterfall for photographers when the water is flowing. Because the river spreads across several rock ledges, you can get some really interesting compositions. Instead of photographing one narrow stream of water, you can capture multiple cascades moving across the rocks. When the water level is lower, the exposed layers of rock become more noticeable. When the flow is stronger, you get more white water and a completely different photograph. A cloudy day can work really well here because softer light makes it easier to photograph moving water without harsh reflections. And as always, you do not need to cross private property to get a photograph. No picture is worth a trespassing problem.
How Long Should You Spend at Au Train Falls?
Au Train Falls has traditionally been a quick stop. If the legal viewing areas are available during your visit, you probably do not need several hours. I would plan somewhere around 30 minutes to an hour. That gives you enough time to look around, take pictures, check out the hydroelectric features and enjoy the river. It is perfect for a day when you are trying to see several waterfalls around Munising.
Waterfalls Near Au Train Falls
One reason I like this part of the Upper Peninsula is that you can see several waterfalls without spending your entire day driving. Scott Falls is another easy stop near Au Train and can be seen right from the highway. Wagner Falls is closer to Munising and has a short trail leading to a viewing area. Laughing Whitefish Falls is another great choice if you want a slightly longer family hike. That makes it easy to turn Au Train Falls into one part of a larger Michigan waterfall road trip. If access happens to be closed when you arrive, you still have several good alternatives nearby.
Is Au Train Falls a Michigan Bucket List Waterfall?
I would put Au Train Falls on the list if you are trying to explore as many waterfalls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula as possible. It is not a waterfall that requires a major hike. It is not the tallest waterfall in Michigan. And depending on the dam and water flow, you could arrive and find a much smaller waterfall than you expected. But that is also part of what makes it unique. You have a natural waterfall mixed with more than a century of Upper Peninsula hydroelectric history. You have exposed rock, cascading water and an interesting river system. And when the Au Train River is flowing strong, the falls are absolutely worth seeing. Just check the current access situation before you go. If you see a gate marked Private Property or No Trespassing, respect it. There will always be another waterfall waiting down the road.
