Middle Falls River Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.3 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Middle Falls River Falls
Middle Falls is the main drop of Falls River Falls, a series of cascades on the Falls River at the edge of downtown L'Anse in Baraga County. The river drops through a long chain of plunges, slides and ledges just north of the US-41 bridge, with a bench on the bank as the usual viewpoint. It is not the Middle Falls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Power House Falls (15 ft) lies 0.6 miles to the southeast.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
A short riverside footpath follows the Falls River between the end of Main Street in L'Anse and US-41, passing Lower Falls and Middle Falls. From the US-41 side the walk to the bench overlooking Middle Falls is about 0.3 miles round trip and crosses railroad tracks.
What to Expect
A long series of small drops, each 10 feet or less, close to town and the highway. Lower Falls is just downstream and an unnamed upper drop sits just upstream of the US-41 bridge.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Middle Falls River Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No dog rule is published for the riverside path in L'Anse.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Middle Falls River Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal for visiting due to higher water flow and vibrant foliage. Summer is also popular but can be busier.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 41°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the falls. Stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost or encountering hazardous areas. Carry water and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Falls River, 0.8 miles away, not on Middle Falls River Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
26 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 12 years of record
4.22 ft
Water depth at gauge
41°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 41 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Conductance
Dissolved minerals in the water
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge FALLS RIVER NEAR L'ANSE, MI (1 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
28 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
31 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
33 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
28 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
26 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
24 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
24 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 late 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 L'Anse hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Middle Falls River Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Middle Falls River Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 54°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
- 26 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 shows the creek losing roughly 41 feet through Middle Falls River Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 748 feet.
Both above and below, the ground is gentle; the falls are the one abrupt step in an otherwise easy-going creek. Facing north, the falls 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
- 748 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 41 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
Getting There
For the short walk, use the gravel parking areas beside the US-41 bridge over the Falls River in L'Anse and follow the trail downstream over the railroad tracks to the bench. For a longer walk, go west on Main Street to the lot before the gated bridge over the Falls River, do not cross the bridge, and follow the signed path upstream.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Gravel parking areas sit on both sides of the US-41 bridge over the Falls River, and there is a large lot at the west end of Main Street near the marina.
Elevation
748 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.744866° N, -88.449716° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Stay on the town side of the river and do not cross the gated bridge at the end of Main Street. Upstream of US-41, toward Powerhouse Falls, the river passes private property.
Where to Stay
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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
Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
14.7 miles away · 0 sites
The Wild and Scenic Sturgeon River rushes out of the northern portion of this wilderness, over the 20 foot volcanic outcroppings of Sturgeon Falls, and through a gorge that reaches 350 feet in depth and a mile in width. Throughout this rugged, steep Wilderness, the Sturgeon and Little Silver Rivers and their tributaries have carved falls, rapids, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. Stunning views are possible from the eastern rim of the gorge. Except for a few naturally bare slopes, most of the land is
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Powerhouse Falls, about a mile upstream on the Falls River, and Canyon Falls about 10 miles south along US-41.
Cities near Middle Falls River Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Aerial
Aerial
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