Shining Cloud Falls Hike
Waterfall | Michigan
17 mi round trip
Shining Cloud Falls Hike at a Glance
The Shining Cloud Falls hike via the Big Carp River Trail is 17 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 820 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Big Carp River Trail |
| Distance | 17 mi round trip |
Your time: about 5 h 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 7 h 5 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 3,210 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 17 mi distance for this hike is verified (gowaterfalling.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Shining Cloud Falls
Shining Cloud Falls is a waterfall in Michigan, on land managed by Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Michigan DNR).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Big Carp River Trail: 17 miles round trip, from Lake of the Clouds Overlook. Distance from gowaterfalling.com.
Before You Go
- Pets should be kept on a leash. (michigan.gov)
- Visitors are responsible for their own safety in the wilderness. (michigan.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Michigan DNR) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Shining Cloud Falls?
The Big Carp River Trail to Shining Cloud Falls is 17 miles round trip.
Where does the Shining Cloud Falls hike start?
It starts from Lake of the Clouds Overlook.
Are dogs allowed on the Shining Cloud Falls trail?
Pets should be kept on a leash.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Shining Cloud Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- gowaterfalling.com
- Distance
- gowaterfalling.com
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Shining Cloud Falls.