Judson Falls
Michigan • 10 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (2)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
2.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Judson Falls
Judson Falls is a 10-foot, two-step cascade over jagged black rock on the Slate River, the main inlet of Lake Gogebic, in the Ottawa National Forest north of Marenisco. It is in a remote, hilly and swampy forest, and the valley below opens into a wetland before the river reaches Ice House Bay. Access is by logging two-track and an overgrown path.
The Setting
Judson Falls sits at 1,352 feet within Ottawa National Forest, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 10 feet.
Height: 10 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Nelson Canyon Falls (8 ft) lies 0.9 miles to the west.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate hike follows Nfst 7214 F (#T7214-F), a 2.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
NFST-7214-F #T7214-F
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.09 miTrail Description
From the gated fork on the two-track, an overgrown path runs close to a mile, then a short spur (Forest Service trail 7214-F, about 0.09 miles) drops to the river and the falls. Expect about 2 miles round trip with route-finding; the path is not well marked.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 10 feet. 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 Judson Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Ottawa National Forest; Forest Service rules require pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at developed recreation sites.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Judson Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring is the best time to visit, as the waterfall is usually at its fullest due to snowmelt. Summer and fall are also good options for pleasant weather and colorful foliage.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Ottawa National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly. During winter, the trail may be icy or snow-covered, requiring extra caution.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cisco Branch Ontonagon River, 10.8 miles away, not on Judson Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
50 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 82 years of record
4.73 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average 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 CISCO BRANCH ONTONAGON R AT CISCO LAKE OUTLET, MI (17 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
54 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
64 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
65 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
57 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
55 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
52 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
55 cfs
5/10Best window: Sun — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid October to early December, 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 Marenisco hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Judson Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Judson Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 32°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 50 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.
Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 62 feet of drop through Judson Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 10 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,343 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 43 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 35 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,343 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 62 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From US-2, drive north about 2.8 miles on Stage Coach Road toward Lake Gogebic and pull onto the two-track on the left. Stay on the main ungated road past the forks for about a mile until a fork where the left branch is gated, and park there.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
No developed lot. Park off the road at the fork where the left branch is gated; the two-track is passable for most vehicles after recent logging.
Elevation
1,352 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.389948° N, -89.561263° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail may be muddy or slippery. Bring insect repellent during the summer months to protect against mosquitoes. Consider visiting in the spring when water flow is typically at its peak.
Where to Stay
Boulder Bear Motor Lodge
Phelps Cabin on 26 Acres with Fire Pit!
Two Rivers Motel and Cabins of Kenton, MI
Northwoods Vacation Cisco Chain
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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Nearby Campground
Bobcat Lake Campground
5.7 miles away · 0 sites
Located in Gogebic County just 3 miles southeast of Marenisco, Mi., on the Bessemer Ranger District in the southern half of the Ottawa National Forest. Bobcat Lake campground features one loop with 11 campsites. Campsites are bordered by vegetation providing privacy between sites. These drive in sites offer a tent pad, wood table, fire ring, lantern post and gravel parking spur. Two accessible vault toilets are located in the campground and water is provided by a centrally located hand pump in th
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nelson Canyon Falls and Marshall Falls are within 2 miles, and Lake Gogebic is just to the north. Bobcat Lake Campground is about 6 miles away.
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.
Cities near Judson Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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