15 Canyon Falls Roadside Park 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

This small park located fourteen miles south of Baraga offers a boardwalk through a cedar swamp and a great view of the scenic Canyon Falls on the Sturgeon River. For a closer look at the river, take a cross-country hike or backpack camping trip through the nearby Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area of the Ottawa National Forest. This area is primitive and undeveloped with few trails or access roads. Come prepared for a wilderness experience. The parking lot for this area is not plowed during winter. Just four miles west of Canyon Falls, The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages the Baraga Plains Waterfowl Management Area. This area has jack pine forests interspersed with grassy openings and offers an additional wildlife viewing opportunity with different habitat and wildlife.

Woodpeckers are common in the large, old trees of the Canyon Falls area. They use their short, stiff tailfeathers as a sort of “kickstand” to help them perch on the sides of trees. Photo credit Dave Kenyon, MIDNR

Wildlife Viewing

The mature northern hardwood forest along Canyon Falls is a wonderful place to hear and view songbirds. Woodpecker species in particular are attracted to the large, old trees and dead snags found here. Ruffed grouse may also be seen or heard drumming during spring. The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area provides stunning views of this scenic river gorge and surrounding countryside. It is a great place to view fall colors and watch hawks and eagles soaring. White-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, and snowshoe hares and many of songbird species are common in the rolling forested hills of mixed hardwood and conifer trees.