A series of three waterfalls on the Jumbo River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The Jumbo River flows within the Ottawa National Forest, in the northwest corner of Iron County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Duppy Falls is a series of three drops as the river cascades over volcanic rock. The waterfalls and the river will be attractive to any photographer willing to go a little out of the way to a place not frequently photographed.

Finding Duppy Falls can be a little difficult. About 5.1 miles south of Kenton on FFH16 there are two narrow two track roads right after each other on the right side. It’s easier to take the second road as the first one is steeper and much more grown in. Head down the narrow road a few hundred yards and park in a large clearing. A well traveled path heads west, crossing the small Slate Creek (there’s a board to walk across the creek). Follow the path upstream a short ways before arriving at Lower Duppy Falls.

Lower Duppy Falls Lower Duppy Falls

This visit was in mid May a few days after some decent rainfall so the river was running a little high. I wanted to cross the river to get a better perspective of this lower section, but the river was running too high to chance it wearing my Muck boots.

The trail continues on, up and around the lower falls to Middle Duppy Falls. The river in this middle section cascades over a drop before making almost a 90 degree turn heading down stream over a smaller angular drop. While not allowing for much room to maneuver, the bank near the small angular drops provides a nice composition of the entire section with the angular drop making for a nice foreground.

Middle Duppy Falls Middle Duppy Falls

Along the bank high above the 90 degree section in the river you are afforded a straight on view of the upper half of the middle falls. This spot also doesn’t allow for much variability in compositions as the river is about 20 feet straight down and the spot is flanked by trees.

Upper Section of Middle Duppy Falls Upper Section of Middle Duppy Falls
 

The trail continues on for a bit, up and around the upper section of the middle falls. At Upper Duppy Falls the Jumbo River splits into two separate drops next to each other, or at least it does if the water lever is high enough. The two sections converge into a small pool.
 

Upper Duppy Falls Upper Duppy Falls

Duppy Falls is a place I’ve wanted to visit for a few years now and it didn’t disappoint. The seemingly idyllic setting of each of the drops offers numerous photographic opportunities. Lower water levels would allow for finding different compositions. Some call Duppy Falls a hidden gem in the western Upper Peninsula and I would have to agree. It’s a little difficult to find and can be a bit of drive from most popular locations, but you are rewarded with a beautiful location that will want you making return trips again and again.

I’ve also put together a short video on Duppy Falls…