Before you go
Scenic site under development: a parking area, vault toilet and accessible trail to a footbridge over Hammell Creek opened in 2025, but the path beyond the bridge is an undeveloped, rugged footpath and the falls have no barriers or platforms yet. Phase 2 construction (trail to the falls, overlooks, barriers, veterans memorial) is slated for 2027.
Photo Credits (5)
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Houghton Falls
Houghton-Douglass Falls (often called Houghton Falls or Douglass Houghton Falls) drops about 110 feet on Hammell Creek, making it Michigan's tallest waterfall. It sits on a 70-acre Michigan DNR site about 1.5 miles north of Lake Linden, off M-26 on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The DNR bought the land in 2018 and is developing it as the Houghton-Douglass Falls and Veterans Memorial Scenic Site, named for state geologist Douglass Houghton and his cousin Columbus C. Douglass.
The Setting
Houghton Falls sits at 899 feet in the foothills of Michigan. At 110 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Michigan.
Height: 110 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Upper Falls (50 ft) lies 8.6 miles to the north. Also nearby: Lower Falls (6 ft, 8.9 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
An accessible trail leads from the paved parking area to a pedestrian bridge over Hammell Creek. Past the bridge the route to the falls is an undeveloped, rugged footpath, and the cliff edges at the falls have no safety barriers. Use extreme caution near the gorge.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 110 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail from the parking area to the Hammell Creek footbridge is accessible. Beyond the bridge the path to the falls is rugged and not accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Houghton Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Houghton Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically strongest after snowmelt or rainfall.
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.
The DNR warns that the area around the falls has no safety barriers or observation platforms yet and asks visitors to use extreme caution. Rock near the rim can be loose and slippery.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pilgrim River, 10.3 miles away, not on Houghton Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
69.53 ft
Water depth at gauge
40°F
Dangerously coldRisk of cold shock
What does this mean for your visit?
Water temperature is dangerously cold at 40 degrees F, avoid prolonged contact. Expect crystal clear visibility and excellent dissolved oxygen levels. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen
ExcellentSupports aquatic life
Water Clarity
Crystal clearExcellent visibility
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
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 PILGRIM RIVER AT PARADISE RD NR DODGEVILLE, MI (17 km away).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early 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 Lake Linden hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Houghton Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Houghton Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 35°F to 31°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
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 164 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 110 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 880 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 93 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 41 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 880 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 164 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning 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
The site is off M-26 about 1.5 miles north of Lake Linden, between Lake Linden and Laurium. The DNR lists the site location as 47.206425, -88.431575.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A paved parking area with a vault toilet was completed in 2025 at the start of the trail to the Hammell Creek footbridge.
Elevation
899 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.207148° N, -88.427339° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
A Michigan Recreation Passport is listed as required for this DNR site. Keep children and pets well back from the unfenced gorge rim.
Where to Stay
AmericInn by Wyndham Calumet
Magnuson Copper Crown
Daniell Manor
Ramada by Wyndham Hancock Waterfront
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
Nearby Attractions
Hungarian Falls is a few miles south near Hubbell and Tamarack City. The towns of Lake Linden, Laurium and Calumet are close by on M-26.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes during warmer months.
Nearby Waterfalls
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