Shining Cloud Falls
Ontonagon County, Michigan
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Ontonagon County, Michigan
- Access status
- Published backcountry route in a state park
- The walk
- About 8.2 miles one way from Lake of the Clouds, or 5.3 miles by the shorter route
- Ground & access
- Long backcountry trail. Getting a closer view means descending into the gorge a bit.
Shining Cloud Falls is on the Big Carp River Trail. The shorter route starts on South Boundary Road: take the Pinkerton Trail to the Lake Superior Trail, then the Big Carp River Trail upstream, passing Bathtub Falls and Big Carp Falls. The longer route follows the Big Carp River Trail from Lake of the Clouds along the escarpment and down into the valley. Return the same way or plan an overnight trip.
Plan your visit
Big Carp River Trail from Lake of the Clouds, or Pinkerton Trail from South Boundary Road, to Shining Cloud Falls
The Western U.P. waterfall map gives 8.2 miles from Lake of the Clouds and a shorter 5.3-mile route from South Boundary Road by the Pinkerton Trail, Lake Superior Trail and Big Carp River Trail. These are one-way figures.
Long backcountry trail. Getting a closer view means descending into the gorge a bit.
Where to start
Lake of the Clouds parking area, or the Pinkerton trailhead on South Boundary Road.
Timing & water
Park roads including South Boundary Road from Headquarters Road to the Pinkerton Trailhead close December 1 through late spring. The Presque Isle Scenic Area stays reachable by County Road 519.
Before you go
Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry, per Michigan DNR. Check current prices with the DNR.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Bathtub FallsBackcountry hike in a state park; distance to this falls not publishedOntonagon County, MI0.8 miNW
- Trader's FallsGogebic County, MI1.3 miW
- Explorers FallsBackcountry trail in a state park; Recreation PassportGogebic County, MI1.8 miSW
- Trappers FallsPublished backcountry route in a state parkGogebic County, MI1.9 miSW
- Greenstone FallsPublished route on a state park trail; distance not publishedOntonagon County, MI2.8 miSE
- Overlooked FallsShort published walk in a state parkOntonagon County, MI3.2 miSE
- Manabezho FallsState park parking and stair route documentedGogebic County, MI6.1 miSW
Manido FallsPublished route in a state park scenic areaGogebic County, MI6.2 miSW
Nawadaha FallsPublished loop route in a state park scenic areaGogebic County, MI6.5 miSW