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.
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