Are there fees or permits required for Ecstasy Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Ecstasy Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Ecstasy Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Ecstasy Falls.

Nearby gauge (Salmon Trout River) · 5 ft³/s · About average

Ecstasy Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ecstasy Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Ecstasy Falls. No dog rule could be confirmed because the landowner at this location is unknown.

Michigan • 15 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (1)

Ian Shackleford CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Moderate

About Ecstasy Falls

Ecstasy Falls is a stepped waterfall in the Slate River Gorge east of L'Anse in Baraga County, where the river crosses wide, flat pools that end in short drops over sharp rock lips. It falls about 15 feet in total over six steps, the tallest about 4 feet. It sits about 0.2 miles upstream of Slate River Falls and about 300 feet below Slide Falls. The USGS place-name database spells it "Ectasy Falls" and places it near the Huron River, where no fall of that name is documented.

The Setting

Ecstasy Falls sits at 719 feet in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 15 feet.

Height: 15 feet

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

There is no maintained trail. From the Skanee Road bridge over the Slate River, follow the river upstream past Slate River Falls. A path high on the east bank descends to the falls, or you can walk along the river itself, sometimes in the water.

What to Expect

The falls drop a gentle 15 feet.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Ecstasy Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
No dog rule could be confirmed because the landowner at this location is unknown.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Ecstasy Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 41°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The trail may be slippery or muddy, especially after rain. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly. Be aware of wildlife and take precautions against ticks and mosquitoes.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Salmon Trout River, 10.8 miles away, not on Ecstasy 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

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

4 5 8 10

Based on 21 years of record

0.37 ft

Water depth at gauge

41°F

Very cold

Expect 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 41 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.

SALMON TROUT RIVER NEAR BIG BAY, MI

USGS 04043238

10.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 7 sq mi

Altitude: 1,101 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SALMON TROUT RIVER NEAR BIG BAY, MI (17 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

5 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

5 cfs

3/10

Tomorrow

Low

6 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

6 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

5 cfs

4/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

5 cfs

4/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Best window: Mon — 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 Ecstasy Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Ecstasy Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 53°F to 37°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.