Eighty Foot Falls
Michigan • 80 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Eighty Foot Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
Eighty Foot Falls (also called Ives Falls) is on Huron Mountain Club land, a private, gated club property west of Big Bay that is closed to the public and posted against trespassing. There is no public trail or legal public access.
Photo Credits (1)
About Eighty Foot Falls
Height: 80 feet
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Eighty Foot Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Eighty Foot Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for viewing the waterfall at its fullest flow. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter provides a unique frozen waterfall experience.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 40°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Visitors should exercise caution near the waterfall, as rocks can be slippery. Be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry a map or GPS device.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Branch Salmon Trout River, 4.8 miles away, not on Eighty Foot 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
About average for this time of year
Based on 21 years of record
1.74 ft
Water depth at gauge
40°F
Dangerously coldRisk of cold shock
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is dangerously cold at 40 degrees F, avoid prolonged contact. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge EAST BRANCH SALMON TROUT RIVER NEAR DODGE CITY, MI (8 km away).
Today
Roaring
21 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Roaring
18 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
21 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
20 cfs
9/10Thu
Roaring
21 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
20 cfs
8/10Sat
Roaring
21 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to mid 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 Big Bay hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Eighty Foot Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Eighty Foot Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 37°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
- 19 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 176 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 80 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 729 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 81 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 104 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north 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
- 729 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 176 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
Elevation
722 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.854167° N, -87.841667° W
Land Management
Managed by PVT No Public Access
Where to Stay
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Sunroom, Deck and Grills Marquette Cottage!
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
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Nearby Waterfalls
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