Memorial & Tannery Falls are closed to visitors

Two small streams cut separate sandstone canyons in the woods south of Munising. The falls have long been known by several names: Memorial Falls on one stream and Tannery Falls, renamed Rudy M. Olson Falls by the landowner, on the other. They are part of a sensitive, privately conserved nature preserve, and today the right decision is not to hike there.

Closed to ALL visitors. The Michigan Nature Association's current preserve listing says the Twin Waterfalls Memorial Plant Preserve is closed, and its homepage specifically announces that the closure continues through 2028. There is no authorized path, waterfall overlook or visitor parking for these falls while the closure is in force.

Check landowner closure MNA 2028 status Choose Wagner Falls Choose Mosquito Falls

What visitors need to know

Are Tannery Falls open?: No. The owner, Michigan Nature Association, explicitly states that its Twin Waterfalls preserve is currently closed to all visitors. Tannery Falls is also called Rudy M. Olson Falls; the renamed waterfall is not a separate publicly accessible waterfall.
Are Memorial Falls open?: No. Memorial Falls is the other waterfall inside the same closed preserve. There is no exemption for entering from a nearby residential street, climbing in from the canyon rim, photographing from the creek bed, or following an old GPS track.
How long will the closure last?: The Michigan Nature Association's current homepage states “Twin Waterfalls Sanctuary Closed Through 2028.” This does not guarantee reopening in 2029. Until MNA expressly announces a reopening and public trail/parking instructions, treat all entrances as closed.
Why was the preserve closed?: In its April 30, 2021 notice, MNA cited necessary trail rerouting, erosion repairs, upgrades to trailhead infrastructure and safer access and signage. The sanctuary protects fragile plant habitat along ancient sandstone cliffs. The landowner's most recent closure statement controls over the old 2021 tentative schedule or archived trail brochures.
Can I use an older map?: No. Historic route guides may mention Nestor Street, Cleveland Street, Washington Street or a trail through the creek valley. They reflect former access, not the current legal visitor entry. We intentionally provide no current parking link, Google driving destination or trail polygon for the sanctuary.
Does winter ice change the rule?: No. Freezing waterfalls may look inviting, but the closure applies year-round. Snow can hide unstable cliff edges and trail erosion; conditions do not grant access.

What these falls protect

The MNA's sanctuary description explains how soft layers of Munising Formation sandstone erode underneath harder Au Train Formation cap rock, producing the two distinct hanging canyon falls. Moist vertical rock seams support rare ferns, while the forest understory includes wildflowers and woodland plants. The preserve was acquired to honor Michigan Nature Association members, including Rudy Olson. A closed trail is a land-management decision meant to give this landscape time to recover and protect those fragile resources.

Where to go instead

Wagner Falls south of Munising is a Michigan DNR-managed waterfall with a short designated walk. Mosquito Falls inside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a longer forest trail from the Chapel area when roads and park rules allow. Both have their own seasonal limitations, so check their individual field guides. Do not assume Munising Falls is open as a substitute; the National Park Service separately reports its paved trail closed after 2025 washout damage.

Source record and reopening policy

Owner and site identity: Michigan Nature Association's preserve listing identifies both waterfalls as Twin Waterfalls Memorial Plant Preserve attractions.
Current public-access permission: MNA says CLOSED to all visitors. No hiking or parking exceptions are listed.
Closure horizon: MNA homepage says through 2028. No automatic reopen date should be inferred.
Parking and trail: MNA's original closure notice supersedes historical tourist trailhead directions and explains planned changes.
Geographic identity: State GIS #198 and #199 describe distinct falls. Those are natural points for research and do not authorize entry.

Review this page's official sources before any future visit. Only an affirmative MNA reopening announcement and current signed visitor trail/parking instructions will make a new itinerary appropriate.