Munising Falls Trail, closed since a storm tore out 75 feet of boardwalk and steps in April 2025, will be rebuilt under a $2.8 million federal contract, Upper Michigan's Source reported.

The National Park Service (NPS) announced Thursday, Sept. 3, that it awarded the contract to McKenzie Construction and Site Development, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based firm, according to an NPS press release. The 12-month project is expected to be finished by the end of 2027, depending on weather conditions.

The rebuilt trail will meet Architectural Barriers Act accessibility standards, providing an accessible route to the lower Munising Falls overlook.

"These improvements will not only help this trail be more resilient to future storms, but also provide access to Munising Falls for all, regardless of ability," David Horne, superintendent of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, said in the release.

What the contract covers

McKenzie Construction will remove damaged trail surfaces and storm debris, then build a fully accessible path to replace aging pavement and a failing wood crib wall. Three wooden bridges will be swapped for elevated boardwalks designed to improve durability and erosion control. The contractor will also stabilize slopes and restore vegetation along the route.

Why the trail closed

The NPS Great Lakes Network newsletter described how Munising Falls "unleashed a bedlam of rushing water and scouring debris" during a heavy rainstorm in April 2025, when rainfall combined with snowmelt turned park streams into torrents. The flood destroyed sections of boardwalk and steps, shutting down one of Pictured Rocks' most accessible attractions.

The park's aquatics team developed a new erosion-monitoring protocol while planners worked toward the rebuild, according to the NPS newsletter.

Tourism stakes

Pictured Rocks drew 953,000 visitors in 2024 and generated $50 million in spending, according to the NPS visitor spending report cited by MLive.

What to expect during construction

The Munising Falls Visitor Center will remain open throughout the project. Parking may be limited at times because the contractor will stage materials in the lot, the NPS said. No specific construction start date has been announced.