Tahquamenon Falls - Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan

Tahquamenon (pronounced like phenomenon) Falls is located in the eastern upper peninsula of Michigan. Tahquamenon River flows into a bay on Lake Superior. It's copper color is caused by tannin from cedar swamps draining into the river.

Accessibility: Paved pathways lead to several viewing areas of the upper falls. Steps lead to the lower falls.

Fall Type: Plunge: Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface. The fall is 200 feet across with a drop of 48 feet. The Fall is one of the most voluminous waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, with Niagara Falls being the most.

Directions: Follow M-123 north of Newberry, Michigan for approximately 22 miles. The Upper Fall Tahquamenon State Park sign is on the left. The park is located on the right. Out of state vehicles pay a $9.00 day-pass fee or $31.00 year-pass.

THUNDER BAY FALLS GALENA, ILLINOIS

Very little information can be found about this Thunder Bay Falls in Galena, Illinois. Thank goodness for my talkative husband.  I have always called him Mayor Bob because he talks to everyone. We were ready to give up on finding a wheelchair accessible waterfall in Illinois until a fellow camper told us about this small town in the northwest corner of Illinois named Galena. We found one person in the town that knew of the waterfall. It is a gorgeous secret.

ACCESSIBILITY: A gravel path leads directly from the parking area. Without help from my husband, the gravel would make maneuvering a wheelchair difficult, but not impossible. Two paths to the front of the Falls; one directly in front of the Fall and one at a higher level in front of the Fall.

TYPE: The Falls is a cascading spillway from Lake Galena.

DIRECTIONS: 7998 W Glen Hollow Rd Galena, IL 61036 Turn off of US 20 onto Glen Hollow Road. Follow that winding road to the parking area. The Falls is located approximately 2 miles on Glen Hollow Road on the right hand side of the road.

LEWIS FALLS - YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING

Lewis Falls is one of hundreds of waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park, yellowstone.net. 700,000 visitors enter the south entrance gate of Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park is the oldest USA national park covering 3,472 square miles. We camped at Lewis Lake campground.

ACCESSIBILITY-Sidewalks lead from roadside parking lots on each side of the Lewis River bridge.

TYPE-Cascade: Water descends a series of rock steps. The falls height is approximately 30 feet.

WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Click on the written state and fall below 

to be taken to the wheelchair accessible waterfall

AZ-Arizona - Grand Falls
AR-Arkansas - Ozarks National Forest
CA-California - McAurther Burney State Park Falls
CA-California - McCloud Falls (McCloud California)
CA-California - Yosemite National Park
CO-Colorado - Rifle Falls State Park  (Rifle Colorado)
FL-Florida - Chipley Falls State Park
ID-Idaho
IA-Iowa - Webster City Iowa
KS-Kansas
MN-Minnesota - Minewissa Falls (Pipestone Minnesota)
MN-Minnesota - Minnehaha
MO-Missouri - Grand Falls, Joplin Missouri
MO-Missouri - Neosho Missouri
MT-Montana
NB-Nebraska - Smith Falls
NV-Nevada - none
NM- New Mexico - Jemez Mountain Trail
ND-North Dakota - none
OK-Oklahoma - Turner Falls (Davis, Oklahoma)
OR-Oregon - Silver Falls
OR-Oregon - Whitehorse Falls 
OR-Oregon - Susan Creek Falls
SD-South Dakota - Sioux Falls
TX-Texas - Witchita Falls
TX-Texas - Palo Duro Canyon
UT-Utah - Bridal Veil Falls ( Provo Utah)
WA-Washington
WI-Wisconsin - Willow Falls State Park ( Hudson Wisconsin)
WY-Wyoming - Lewis Falls, Yellowstone

Willow Falls - Willow River State Park, Wisconsin

DESCRIPTION:  Willow Falls is a 45 foot cascading waterfall located in Willow River State Park northeast of Hudson, Wisconsin.

ACCESSIBILITY:  The falls are reachable by several different trails. The trails are accessible; however, they aren't easily accessible. The  shortest trail is on a 1/4 mile paved walking path; however, it is a steep trail.  The trail we took to the waterfalls was grassy in spots, deep gravel in other spots, then other spots had gouged out muddy areas. My husband and step-son took turns pushing my wheelchair over this terrain.  I could have never successfully mastered the feat alone.  When leaving the falls, we took the third trail.  This trail was about two miles, but, a bit smoother.  It was a dirt path, but well-worn because this path was used more frequently by the many people who visited the fall each day. Even though the trails left little-to-be-desired, the nature was worth the travel.

A sturdy bridge traversed the 100-foot wide waterfall. A parking fee is payable upon entering the park.

TYPE:  Cascading - follows along a series of rock steps

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS - PROVO, UTAH

DESCRIPTION - Bridal Veil Falls is a 607 foot tall, double cataract fall in Provo Canyon, Utah. Until 2008 the tramway was heralded as the steepest aerial tramway in the world, but the cables were cut. The falls can be seen in several scenes in the 1982 movie Savannah Smiles. A year-round stream of water surges from a narrow point at the top from several springs.

 ACCESSIBILITY - Picnic tables are available in the park under shade trees and close to the falls. Paved paths make the short trek to the falls easy and casual. Bikers and skateboarders of all ages use the wide path for exercise as well.





 
  FALL TYPE - Cateract - A descent of water over a steep surface

 

DIRECTIONS -

• Located up Provo Canyon (Hwy. 189) Provo, UT 84604
• Phone: (801) 852-660

RIFLE FALLS STATE PARK - RIFLE COLORADO

Description - Rifle Falls State Park is in Colorado NE of Rifle, Colorado. Thev48-acre park has a triple waterfall. The falls is a lush area of trees and greenery kept moist by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall (http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/RifleFalls).  Mysterious limestone caves beneath the falls entice spelunkers and other curious visitors to explore their dark depths.Spray from the falls can be felt while picnicking at the tables near the falls.  

Accessibility - "In 1998, the park underwent a face-lift: new pavement, picnic tables, interpretive signs and increased handicapped access." The trek to the falls is only a short jaunt from the parking lot. 

Address and directions -  Follow the signs from town. The park is 13 miles north of town. A small fee is required to enter the park. Camping by tent or RV is available. Park Office - 5775 Highway 325 Rifle, CO, 81650  Park Hours - 7AM -10PM. Anglers And Campers Have 24 Hour Access Office Hours - Varies - Can Visit Rifle Gap's Office For Needs 7am - 7pm Daily. Phone - (970) 625-1607 Email - Rifle.Gap.Park@State.Co.Us 

Fall Type - a triple 70-foot waterfall flowing over a travertine (a mineral formed by a compilation of hots or spring waters) dam on East Rifle Creek.

Nature