Piers Gorge.

.

3rd pier.

This little known scenic attraction on the Menominee River is worth a trip to the UP to hike its trails, fish the pools, or even swim on a sandy beach. Located downriver from Niagara, WI, where US 8 crosses the Mighigan border, this series of rapids and rocky outcrops extends for more than a mile along the river.

Along the hiking trail.

From the parking lot, a trail follows the river to 4th pier, which is about 1 1/4 miles away. You can leave the river trail and loop through the woods on cross country ski trail if you wish for a longer hike. The trail isn't too tough, but expect to do a lot of rock scrambling to get the best views of the gorge.

Bottle Gentian.

The "piers" for which the gorge is apparently named are outcrops of tilted sedimentary rock that constrict the river to 80 feet at the third pier, where an eight-foot drop creates a foaming cascade of churning water. The first, second, and third piers are not too far from the parking lot. A longer hike will take you to the fourth pier, where an island splits the Menominee into three channels, all of which look runable in an open canoe. You can continue your hike upriver to a Wisconsin Michigan Power Co. penstock, which has a boat landing.

Looking upstream from 4th pier.

Fishing from shore may produce smallmouth bass, walleye, or northern. The deep pools below the rapids look like ideal places for these predators to ambush any minnows that went over the falls. The Menominee is a border river, so your Wisconsin fishing license is valid here.You'll find plenty of wildflowers in season. There's even a small sandy beach for wading. Since it is not far upstream from 3rd pier, however, I wouldn't recommend swimming in the fast current.

3rd pier.

Although the trails don't extend too far, allow plenty of time to experience this scenic wonder. The interesting rock formations beg exploring, and you'll want to sit on the rocks at 3rd pier and feel the vibrations of the roaring water.