PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – Ocqueoc Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

The word “Ocqueoc” is French for “crooked waters.”  The name fits.  The Ocqueoc River winds all over in its course across the karst formations in Presque Isle county.

MORE NEWS: Jan. 6 Protester Jake Lang Came to Dearborn Looking For A Fight; He Found Condemnation

Size is only one of the unique features of this waterfall. It’s also easy to access.  In fact, this may be the only universally-accessible waterfall in the United States.  The parking lot is only a few yards from the falls.  This is not a big plunge falls, like many in the Upper Peninsula; rather, it is more an extended cascade with the longest of three drops being only about 5 feet.

The gentle angle of the falls and its proximity to the picnic area make this a very popular wilderness swimming spot.  In color tour time, the scene is a riot of color.  There is an excellent hiking trail that follows the course of the river.

There is another unusual feature about this area that adds to the fun of a trip to Ocqueoc Falls.  The entire region sits atop a limestone formation known as a karst.  As the river flows across the limestone, it cuts channels into the riverbed.  Several branches of this river, especially the Little Ocqueoc, have parts of their course running underground.  You can walk along a nearby two track when suddenly you’ll see the river flowing out of the side of a hill.

During spawning season, you can see the salmon actually swim through these underground channels.  The Ocqueoc River is one of the few rivers in the Lower Peninsula to flow north.

Find out more at Michigan Back Roads.

Directions: The day-use area for Ocqueoc Falls is on Ocqueoc Falls Road. It can be reached from Rogers City by following M-68 west for about 11 miles.

MORE NEWS: ICE Activity Briefly Puts Clarkston Schools on Hold