The western Upper Peninsula has many gorgeous natural features, perhaps the most spectacular being its waterfalls. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the waterfalls year-round, but the easiest time to access them is in the summer months.

Each year, the Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitors Bureau receives numerous calls asking about waterfalls and puts out a guide to help people find the sometimes-hidden gems in Ontonagon and Gogebic Counties.

"It's just a two-page listing of all the waterfalls and it gives directions how to get there and it tells if they're easily accessible and how they rate in the beauty," said Kathy Luoma of the WUPCVB.

Luoma said the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park is a great place to camp, as well as view waterfalls.

"There's many waterfalls in the Porcupine Mountain area and a lot of hiking areas to these waterfalls," she said.

Among the waterfalls highlighted by the guide is Bonanza Falls.

"That's on the big Iron River outside of Silver City, which is just by the state park entrance and it's fairly accessible, easy to find and the beauty is good," Luoma said.

Agate Falls, located between Trout Creek and Paynesville off of M-28, is also highlighted.

"That's on the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River, it's easy to locate and that beauty is outstanding," Luoma said.

In Houghton County, waterfalls are also an attraction, with many tourists including trips to local falls as part of a hike or color tour to the Copper Country.

One of the largest waterfalls in the county is also one of the easiest to access. Hungarian Falls, located off of Golf Course Road outside of Tamarack City, features a set of five falls with a total drop of 75 feet. The main path winds above the tree tops near the edge of the ravine created by the river, with a path branching off it to the base of the largest fall. Because of the short hike from the road to the falls, the location is ideal for families. However, the steep cliffs of the falls mandate that parents keep a watchful eye on their children.

Eagle River Falls, near Eagle River in Keweenaw County features a 60-foot drop and is especially stunning in the fall

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when colors are at their peak.

While in the vicinity, be sure to check out Manganese Falls on the Manganese Creek near Copper Harbor with its breath-taking 45-foot drop, Copper Falls, on Owl Creek off the Eagle Harbor Cutoff Road and Silver River Falls between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor.

For boaters, Montreal Falls on the south shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula features a 40-foot drop, but is only accessible by boat.

In Baraga County, Sturgeon Falls and Canyon Falls are popular with visitors and year-round residents alike.

Perhaps one of the most popular waterfalls in the Western U.P. is Bond Falls. The main drop is 40 feet high and more than a hundred feet wide. Above the main falls are a series of cascades and rapids. Bond Falls is a Michigan State Scenic Site and features a parking area near the base of the falls with a level boardwalk that offers a short and easy walk to gain prime views of the falls.