Gleason Creek Falls
Michigan • 10 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no trail to Gleason Falls. It is reached by walking about 0.7 mile off-trail from an unimproved road, and land ownership along the creek is not confirmed; part of the creek downstream is private.
About Gleason Creek Falls
Gleason Falls is a sharp 10-foot drop through a narrow crack into a small pool on Gleason Creek, in a deep canyon on Norwich Bluff in Ontonagon County. The creek falls about 400 feet in less than a mile here. There is no trail; the falls sit about 0.7 mile south of unimproved Victoria Road.
The Setting
Gleason Creek Falls sits at 1,401 feet in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 10 feet.
Height: 10 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No trail. From Victoria Road, follow logging roads roughly parallel to the creek, or follow the creek downstream through swampy ground, then bypass the falls and double back into the canyon. Bring a map or GPS.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 10 feet.
Accessibility
The trail is not officially designated as accessible and may be challenging for those with mobility issues due to uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Gleason Creek Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No published dog rule covers this off-trail site; keep dogs leashed and under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Gleason Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the water flow is typically stronger due to snowmelt and rainfall. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may provide a unique view of the falls frozen in ice.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Exercise caution on the trail, as it may be slippery or muddy. Be aware of ticks and other insects, and check for them after your visit. Cell phone service may be limited in the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Ontonagon River, 7 miles away, not on Gleason Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
614 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 84 years of record
5.56 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 ONTONAGON RIVER NEAR ROCKLAND, MI (11 km away).
Today
Low
663 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
736 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
751 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
710 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
657 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
651 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
670 cfs
5/10Best window: Sun — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to early June, 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 Ewen hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Gleason Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Gleason Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 54°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 614 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 95 feet of descent through Gleason Creek Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 10 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,416 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 30 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 105 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southeast, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,416 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 95 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From M-64 just outside Ontonagon, drive south on Norwich Road about 12.5 miles and turn left onto Victoria Road, an unmarked road up onto Norwich Bluff. Drive about 3 miles east on the unimproved road and park near the logging trail on the right, about 0.2 mile past Gleason Creek. If you reach the West Branch Ontonagon River you have gone about 2 miles too far on Norwich Road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
No parking area; pull off along Victoria Road near the logging trail without blocking it.
Elevation
1,401 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.670777° N, -89.335979° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear boots for wet, uneven ground and carry a map or GPS. Bring insect repellent in summer.
Where to Stay
Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins
Bergland Bay Bungalow
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
13 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
Other waterfalls of the Ontonagon River system around Victoria and Rockland.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes and ticks.
Cities near Gleason Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Writing about Gleason Creek Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.