The History of Mackinac Falls
Several thousand years ago, when lake levels were much lower, water from an early form of Lake Michigan flowed eastward past what is now Mackinac Island and over a cliff. At that time, the Straits of Mackinac was a river, and the water plummeted 100 feet over Mackinac Falls as it made its way to an early form of Lake Huron. By comparison, Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is only 48 feet high. The waterfall surely was an attraction for people of the time the way Arch Rock is for Mackinac Island visitors of today. In fact, researchers have discovered an underwater limestone cave by Mackinac Falls that probably was used as shelter by people way back then!Mackinac Island's Surviving Rock Formations
Although you can’t visit Mackinac Falls today (unless you’re a scuba diver!), it’s another example of the incredible geological features in the area. In addition to being known for world-famous fudge and horse-drawn carriages, Mackinac Island is an amazing outdoor museum of natural history. Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf and Devil’s Kitchen are some of the more popular limestone attractions, but they’re far from the only ones. Have you heard of Skull Cave? How about Crack-in-the-Island? Or Friendship’s Altar?"It pleases chiefly by its novelty, so wholly unlike anything to be found in other parts of the world, and on first approaching it, gives the idea of a work of art." --geographer Henry Schoolcraft, upon encountering Mackinac Island's Sugar Loaf more than 200 years agoThere’s a lot to explore and discover in the wilderness of Mackinac Island State Park. It makes up more than 80% of Mackinac Island and contains more than 70 miles of trails. Fortunately, the majestic rock formations on Mackinac Island have lasted for thousands of years, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be around forever. After all, Mackinac Falls was around for thousands of years, too, before it was submerged by rising lake levels.