Cascade Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
1.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
100 ft
About Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls is a set of drops, about 14 feet high, where Cascade Creek tumbles over a volcanic outcrop just before joining the West Branch Ontonagon River. It is in the Ottawa National Forest about 7 miles northeast of Bergland, at the edge of the Trap Hills. A Forest Service trail leads to the falls, with an optional steeper loop up a bluff.
The Setting
Cascade Falls sits at 1,089 feet within Ottawa National Forest, in the foothills of Michigan.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Gleason Creek Falls (10 ft) lies 5.4 miles to the east.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Cascade Falls (#60003), a 1.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 100 feet of elevation gain with grades of 5-8%. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
CASCADE FALLS #60003
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.71 miTrail Description
The main trail is about 1 mile with mild elevation changes and reaches the falls in under 20 minutes. The Bluff Trail leaves and rejoins the main trail; it is steeper and less defined but gives views of the Trap Hills.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cascade Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Ottawa National Forest; Forest Service rules require pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at developed recreation sites.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Cascade Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer have the strongest flow; fall brings color in the Trap Hills.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Ottawa National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Rocks near the falls are slick. The Bluff Trail is steep in places and can be hard to follow.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on West Branch Ontonagon River, 6.3 miles away, not on Cascade Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
44 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 84 years of record
1.44 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
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 WEST BRANCH ONTONAGON RIVER NEAR BERGLAND, MI (10 km away).
Today
Moderate
44 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Moderate
47 cfs
6/10Thu
Moderate
47 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
47 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
44 cfs
9/10Sun
Moderate
40 cfs
9/10Mon
Moderate
42 cfs
9/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early 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 Bergland hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Cascade Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 1 more freezing day forecast
Cascade Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 53°F to 29°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- 43 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 62 feet through Cascade Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,091 feet.
Both above and below, the ground is gentle; the falls are the one abrupt step in an otherwise easy-going creek. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,091 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 62 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Bergland, drive east on M-28 about 1 mile and turn north on FR 400 (County Road 400). Follow it about 7 miles; turn at the Cascade Falls sign just after crossing Cascade Creek. The trailhead parking is signed.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A Forest Service parking area at the trailhead off FR 400. No drinking water is available, and no fee is charged.
Elevation
1,089 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.651816° N, -89.446406° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring insect repellent in early summer. The Bluff Trail is worth the extra effort for views but is rougher than the main path.
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This easy 1.0 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Osprey Daylite Daypack
Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.
Where to Stay
Bergland Bay Bungalow
Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins
Two Rivers Motel and Cabins of Kenton, MI
Pet-Friendly Michigan Getaway with Porch and Kayaks!
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Ontonagon Ranger District
15.6 miles away · 0 sites
Ontonagon Ranger District is on the shores of Lake Superior, largest of the Great Lakes, and the mouth of the Ontonagon River. There are numerous outdoor recreational opportunities. Hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, and ATV riding are available in the summer and fall months. In the winter downhill, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are available.
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Gleason Falls and Little Trap Falls are within about 6 miles, and Lake Gogebic and Bergland are a short drive south.
Wildlife
Northern forest wildlife such as deer and songbirds; black flies and mosquitoes are common in late spring and early summer.
Cities near Cascade Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Cascade Falls
24 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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