Minnewawa Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no maintained hiking trail to Minnewawa Falls. It is mainly seen by whitewater paddlers on the Presque Isle River, and the unpaved logging roads in the area may be gated.
Photo Credits (2)
About Minnewawa Falls
Minnewawa Falls is a ledge drop on the Presque Isle River in Gogebic County, in the river corridor studied for Wild and Scenic River status and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The river splits around an island at the falls, and paddlers describe a second drop of about 5 feet. It sits about 3.8 river miles below the Underwood Tower Road bridge site, a short distance upstream of Nimikon Falls, and has no maintained trail.
The Setting
Minnewawa Falls sits at 1,230 feet within Presque Isle, Michigan Wild and Scenic River, in the foothills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No maintained trail to the falls has been published. Paddlers reach it on the Presque Isle River, and a logging road passes below the falls. Anyone walking in should expect off-trail travel along the riverbank and carry a map or GPS.
What to Expect
A wide, low falls split by an island in a forested river corridor, with Nimikon Falls, a quarter-mile series of ledges, a short way downstream.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Minnewawa Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Dogs are allowed on Ottawa National Forest land; Forest Service rules require a leash no longer than 6 feet in developed recreation sites, and dogs must be under control elsewhere.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Minnewawa Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Minnewawa Falls, as water flow is typically higher during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter provides a unique view of the frozen waterfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 42°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and muddy trails after rain. Always stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost or damaging the environment.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Presque Isle River, 9 miles away, not on Minnewawa Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
91 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 3 years of record
5.49 ft
Water depth at gauge
42°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 42 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Expect excellent dissolved oxygen levels. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen
ExcellentSupports aquatic life
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 PRESQUE ISLE RIVER NEAR CONNORVILLE, MI (15 km away).
Today
Low
98 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
94 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
86 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
74 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
67 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
65 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
64 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 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 Wakefield hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Minnewawa Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Minnewawa Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 88 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 44 feet through Minnewawa Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,252 feet.
The ground changes about 36 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 21 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and 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
- 1,252 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 44 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- 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 northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are on the Presque Isle River north of Marenisco and east of Wakefield. Roads to this stretch of river are unpaved forest and logging roads, some of them gated; check current road status with the Ottawa National Forest before going.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,230 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.597169° N, -89.849610° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring a map or GPS, since there are no signs or trail to the falls. Bring insect repellent in summer.
Where to Stay
Snow Otter Haus - 2
Snow Otter Haus - 1
Quality Inn Ironwood
North Ironwood Acres - Black River Lodge
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
BLACK RIVER HARBOR CAMPGROUND
10.8 miles away · 40 sites
Overview Planning a trip to the Black River Harbor Campground? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. Black River Campground is adjacent to the Black River Harbor Recreation Area. The recreation area includes a pavilion, harbor and a large picnic area. The area provides for many opportunities for fishing, boating, backpacking, hiking, bird watching, photography and beautiful scenery for relaxation in the outdoors. Recreation The campground is adjacent to
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nimikon Falls just downstream; Nokomis Falls and the falls of the Presque Isle River Scenic Area in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park farther downstream.
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 Minnewawa Falls
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LiDAR
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