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Carp River Falls
4.4 ★★★★☆ 55 Google reviews · Running trail in Marquette, Michigan · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Carp River Falls' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Carp River Falls
“If you are sure-footed and know what you are doing, you can get a great view of the falls, but DO NOT try to get down closer to the falls if you have any doubt.”
“Then I was there alone in the peaceful woods with a picnic table at the convergence of the two rivers and right at the waterfall.”
Not too hard to find. You can actually follow the road all the way until you see the path on the right I took a picture of. We ended up stopping where the "road" on google maps ended and hiking the rest of the way. It was a short maybe half mile hike and nice to stretch our legs.
Beautiful venue but tricky to find. The road is not labeled so visitors need to know to follow the sign for the county landfill. You must drive past the landfill and into the woods to find the falls. You can park nearby and it's a short walk down the trail, again unlabeled.
Best falls near Marquette! Watch for this trail with the raised metal ground. That's where you go-in on foot. Where you park before that is up to you. DO NOT walk past this section, as you'll miss the falls completely. Yes, the money shot is exactly where Google has it pinned. Attached is my pouring rain shot.
Challenging to find. Beautiful, lengthy cascades... but you have to follow a 12-inch wide path on the edge of a cliff to see most of the cascades. Very pretty location if you have the nerve for it. Pics don't do it justice, but I wouldn't do it again!
Trail conditions & character
“If you are sure-footed and know what you are doing, you can get a great view of the falls, but DO NOT try to get down closer to the falls if you have any doubt.”
“Was intriguing to see the bike paths and how steep some of them were and that people were actually writing them.”
“Then I was there alone in the peaceful woods with a picnic table at the convergence of the two rivers and right at the waterfall.”
Plan your run at Carp River Falls
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Running trails near Marquette
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
NTN South Trails Trailhead
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Woodsy trail system for bikers and hikers, offering routes from beginner to expert.
Mt. Marquette Overlook
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Road to a mountain top with a trail for hiking and biking.
South Beach Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 268 reviews
Park with a sandy shoreline, plus swings, picnic tables and a playground.
Founders Landing
4.7 ★★★★★ 152 reviews
Small waterfront park with a hidden waterfall, plus hiking trails beside a stream.
Fit Strip
4.7 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
Recreation area with kid-friendly hiking trails and opportunities for cross-country skiing.