Bond Falls, MI
Michigan · Visitor guide

Bond Falls

Ontonagon · Midwest & Plains

Photo: Chris857 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original photograph · Displayed with a responsive crop

A roughly 50-foot cascading waterfall on the Ontonagon River, viewed from an accessible boardwalk in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Bond Falls carries the middle branch of the Ontonagon River over a total drop of approximately 50 feet, spreading into multiple cascades over fractured rock at the Michigan DNR's Bond Falls Scenic Site in Ontonagon County. An accessible boardwalk with six viewing locations lets visitors see the falls from several angles without a strenuous hike, and roadside parking and picnic tables are available nearby.

Vehicle access to the scenic site typically runs mid-May through mid-October, and a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. The hiking trail itself stays open year-round, but the DNR notes that trails and boardwalks are not monitored or groomed for snow and ice in winter, so plan footwear and timing accordingly. Camping near the falls is available through a separate campground operated by the Upper Peninsula Power Company. Check the DNR's site page for current seasonal access and conditions before visiting.

Know before you go

Getting there

Bond Falls Scenic Site, Ontonagon County, Michigan DNR; roadside parking with an accessible boardwalk.

Seasonal character

Vehicle access typically mid-May-mid-October; hiking trail open year-round but not winter-maintained.

Walk & viewpoints

Accessible boardwalk with six viewing locations; no strenuous hiking required to view the falls.

Fees & reservations

Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry.

Accessibility

Boardwalk designed for accessible viewing at multiple points along the falls.

Information checked

2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.

Sources & further reading

This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.

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