Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
2.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Hungarian Falls
Hungarian Falls is a series of cascades on Dover Creek just west of Hubbell and Tamarack City in Houghton County, on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. There are three main drops, the largest about 50 feet, with roughly 90 feet of total descent. Most of the gorge is Michigan DNR land, and the Keweenaw Land Trust owns the 10-acre Hungarian Falls Nature Area with the uppermost falls, an early 1900s Calumet & Hecla dam and a small pond.
The Setting
Hungarian Falls sits at 696 feet within Baraga State Forest Area, in the foothills of Michigan.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Houghton Falls, the tallest waterfall in Michigan at 110 feet, lies 2.7 miles to the north.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the Golf Course Road shoulder, walk about 400 yards in on a rough woods road to the gathering area by the old dam and upper falls. Trails then run down both sides of the gorge past the middle and lower falls; hiking up and down the whole gorge is roughly 2 miles. During low water the creek can be crossed above the uppermost falls and near the middle and lower falls, and a large DNR bridge crosses the gorge at the bottom of the valley. Tread is natural dirt, roots and rock, and steep near the drops.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hungarian Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed; the Keweenaw Land Trust asks visitors to manage their pets and clean up after them.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Hungarian Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring is the best time to visit Hungarian Falls, as the snowmelt creates a strong flow. Fall is also a popular time due to the vibrant autumn colors.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 42°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Rocks near the drops are slippery, and the gorge walls are steep. Creek crossings are only practical in low water. Trails can be icy in winter.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pilgrim River, 7.8 miles away, not on Hungarian Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
69.46 ft
Water depth at gauge
42°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
What does this mean for your visit?
Water temperature is very cold at 42 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. 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 (13 km away).
Today
Roaring
187 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
187 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
167 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
143 cfs
9/10Mon
Roaring
131 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
143 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
143 cfs
9/10Best window: Sun — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
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 Hubbell hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Hungarian Falls Frozen?
Updated about 22 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Hungarian Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 36°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 173 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 152 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 724 feet.
The ground changes about 53 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 96 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing south, 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
- 724 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 152 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- 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 south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Houghton/Hancock, head north on M-26 toward Lake Linden for about 8 miles and turn left onto 6th Street in Tamarack City. Follow Golf Course Road up the hill for about 0.5 miles to the Hungarian Falls Nature Area sign.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park along the shoulder of Golf Course Road near the Hungarian Falls Nature Area sign (about 47.173159, -88.444743). In winter not all of Golf Course Road is plowed, so park at the bottom of the hill and snowshoe up, or drive in from the north end near Calumet to where plowing stops.
Elevation
696 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.170000° N, -88.441667° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
The land around the DNR and Land Trust parcels is private, so stay on public land and do not trespass on neighboring property. Trails on the Land Trust parcel are for non-motorized use only. Flow is strongest in spring and after heavy rain.
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
Nearby attractions include the Quincy Mine, McLain State Park, and the town of Houghton, which offers dining and shopping options.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter insects such as mosquitoes in the summer.
Nearby Waterfalls
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