Chippewa Falls
Michigan • 2 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls is a small rapid, about 2 feet high and 15 feet wide, on the Black River below Copper Peak north of Bessemer. It is upstream of Great Conglomerate Falls and the other falls on the Black River Scenic Byway, on Ottawa National Forest land along the Black River National Wild and Scenic River corridor. It is a minor feature best combined with a visit to Copper Peak or the byway falls.
The Setting
Chippewa Falls sits at 1,050 feet within Ottawa National Forest, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 2 feet.
Height: 2 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Great Conglomerate Falls (40 ft) lies 2.7 miles to the northeast.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Nfst 129 A (#T129-A), a 0.1-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
NFST-129-A #T129-A
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.13 miTrail Description
Forest Service data show a short trail segment (NFST-129-A, about 0.13 miles, native surface, 0 to 5 percent grade) near the falls. Guides describe walking from the Copper Peak road down the powerline corridor to the river; the route is short but not well defined, so note landmarks for the return.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 2 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 Chippewa Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Ottawa National Forest; Forest Service rules require them to be leashed in developed recreation sites, and keeping them leashed on trails is recommended.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Chippewa Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter provides a serene, snowy landscape.
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
Exercise caution near the water, as rocks may be slippery. During winter, the area may be icy and require extra care.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Black River, 6.1 miles away, not on Chippewa Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
21 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 54 years of record
2.08 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
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 BLACK RIVER NEAR BESSEMER, MI (10 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
21 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
23 cfs
3/10Thu
Low
25 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
25 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
24 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
22 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
23 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late 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 Bessemer hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Chippewa Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Chippewa Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 29°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 22 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 measures about 109 feet of descent through Chippewa Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 2 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,051 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 68 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 43 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and 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
- 1,051 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 109 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- 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 northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Bessemer, drive north on Black River Road (County Road 513) and take the cutoff road to Copper Peak. Where the road makes a box-shaped bend past the peak, park on the far side and follow the powerlines downhill to the river.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside parking on the Copper Peak road near the powerline corridor.
Elevation
1,050 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.598835° N, -90.082118° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring bug spray during the summer months as mosquitoes can be prevalent. Wear sturdy shoes if visiting during wet conditions, as the trail may be slippery.
Where to Stay
North Ironwood Acres - Black River Lodge
Snow Otter Haus - 1
Snow Otter Haus - 2
Quality Inn Ironwood
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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Nearby Campground
BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION
5.2 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Planning a visit to the Black River Harbor Pavilion? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. The Black River Harbor Pavilion is located within the Black Harbor Recreation Area on Lake Superior in Michigans Upper Peninsula. The historic stone and wood pavilion was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Recreation Lake Superior offers great opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The North Country National Scenic Trail
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Copper Peak ski flying hill, Great Conglomerate, Gorge, Potawatomi, Sandstone and Rainbow Falls on the Black River Scenic Byway, and Black River Harbor on Lake Superior.
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.
Cities near Chippewa Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Chippewa Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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