Big Erick's Falls
Michigan • 10 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (1)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Big Erick's Falls
Big Erick's Falls, also listed as Lower Huron Falls or Lower Falls, is a set of small cascades on the Huron River at the Erick's Road bridge, just below where the East and West branches of the river join, east of Skanee in Baraga County. The river drops about 10 feet over many low ledges, running from pool to pool in short chutes. The falls are beside the bridge and Big Erick's Bridge State Forest Campground, so there is no real hike.
The Setting
Big Erick's Falls sits at 699 feet within Baraga State Forest Area, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 10 feet.
Height: 10 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
A short path starts on the campground (north) side of the bridge and follows the cascades downstream along the riverbank. In low water the exposed rock riverbed offers a closer route.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 10 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Big Erick's Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Big Erick's Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, and winter provides a unique view of the frozen falls.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 42°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
The rocks around the falls can be slippery, so exercise caution when walking near the water. During winter, icy conditions may make the area hazardous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Salmon Trout River, 11.3 miles away, not on Big Erick's Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
5 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 21 years of record
0.38 ft
Water depth at gauge
42°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 42 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SALMON TROUT RIVER NEAR BIG BAY, MI (18 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
5 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
6 cfs
3/10Thu
Low
7 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
6 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
6 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
5 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
5 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to late May, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Skanee hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Big Erick's Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Big Erick's Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 5 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Michigan.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 46 feet through Big Erick's Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 10 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 700 feet.
The ground changes about 29 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 11 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 700 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 46 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From L'Anse, follow Skanee Road east through Skanee, then bear right onto the gravel Erick's Road signed for Big Erick's Campground. After about a mile the campground is on the left at the Huron River bridge.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A parking area is on the right side of Erick's Road across from the campground, near the bridge.
Elevation
699 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.865516° N, -88.083750° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes as the area around the falls can be slippery, especially after rain. Bring bug spray during the summer months to protect against mosquitoes.
Where to Stay
Independence Stay Hotel and Long term suites
AC4 Northwoods Getaway w Jetted Tub
UP Escape in the Pines
Lakefront Lookout! Private Sand Beach on Superior
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Canyon Falls, Silver Falls, and the town of L'Anse.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of mosquitoes and other insects during warmer months.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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