Nelson Canyon Falls
Michigan • 8 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (1)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
2.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Nelson Canyon Falls
Nelson Canyon Falls is an 8-foot plunge over an overhanging rock shelf on Nelson Creek, on Ottawa National Forest land southeast of Lake Gogebic in Gogebic County. It is a small, quiet falls in hardwood forest, with a small campsite on the bluff above. The walk in is about a mile each way on a two-track and an overgrown, lightly flagged path.
The Setting
Nelson Canyon Falls sits at 1,378 feet within Ottawa National Forest, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 8 feet.
Height: 8 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate hike follows Nfst 7418 D (#T7418-D), a 2.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
NFST-7418-D #T7418-D
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.15 miTrail Description
From the parking spot on CC Road, walk the two-track east about 0.75 mile, take the first fork and bear left onto an overgrown trail for about 0.25 mile, then head north to the creek and follow it downstream to the falls. Visitors report the path is overgrown and flagged in places, and reaching the base takes a scramble. A compass or GPS is useful.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 8 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 Nelson Canyon Falls?
✅ Dogs are 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 Nelson Canyon Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring is the best time to visit, as the waterfall is most active 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
The trail may be slippery after rain, and the area around the waterfall can be muddy. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid getting too close to the edge of the falls.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cisco Branch Ontonagon River, 11.3 miles away, not on Nelson Canyon 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 (18 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 Nelson Canyon Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Nelson Canyon 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 92 feet of drop through Nelson Canyon Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 8 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,383 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 80 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 43 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,383 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 92 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Bergland, head east on M-28 and turn south on M-64, following the west shore of Lake Gogebic for 15.4 miles. Turn left onto CC Road and drive about 1.5 miles, then park at a two-track leading east on the left side of the road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park off the road at the start of the two-track on CC Road; there is no developed lot.
Elevation
1,378 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.392170° N, -89.579042° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail can be muddy or slippery after rain. Bring bug spray during the summer months to protect against mosquitoes. A GPS or map is recommended due to the lack of trail markers.
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 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
Lake Gogebic, Bobcat Lake Campground, and other Ottawa National Forest waterfalls around Marenisco and Bergland.
Wildlife
The area is home to deer, birds, and other forest wildlife. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Cities near Nelson Canyon Falls
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