Nokomis Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no maintained trail to Nokomis Falls. The road to Steigers Bridge upstream is privately owned and has been closed to the public since 2004; the falls are mainly reached by expert whitewater paddlers.
Photo Credits (1)
About Nokomis Falls
Nokomis Falls (also spelled Nakomis) is one of the drops in the canyon of the upper Presque Isle River in Gogebic County, about 2.25 river miles below Steigers Bridge and just downstream of Triple Drop. The Presque Isle runs about 42 miles to Lake Superior, passing through the Ottawa National Forest and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. There is no maintained hiking trail to the falls.
The Setting
Nokomis Falls sits at 1,043 feet within Presque Isle, Michigan Wild And Scenic River Study Area, in the foothills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No maintained trail to the falls has been published. Paddler reports describe an ATV track along river left beside the canyon drops that connects toward the North Country Trail near South Boundary Road, but its status and land ownership are not confirmed.
What to Expect
A bedrock drop in a short canyon section of the Presque Isle River, with Triple Drop just upstream and Lepisto and Iagoo falls downstream.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Nokomis 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 Nokomis Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall.
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.
The trail may be slippery after rain, so exercise caution. Stay on marked trails to avoid damaging the environment or getting lost.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Presque Isle River, 4.6 miles away, not on Nokomis 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge PRESQUE ISLE RIVER NEAR CONNORVILLE, MI (7 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 Nokomis Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Nokomis Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°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
- 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 113 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,047 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 125 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 109 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southeast, 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
- 1,047 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 113 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- 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 southeast).
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 south of South Boundary Road and the Porcupine Mountains. The road to Steigers Bridge upstream is private and closed to the public. Check current access with the Ottawa National Forest before trying to reach the falls on foot.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,043 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.646613° N, -89.910168° 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
North Ironwood Acres - Black River Lodge
Quality Inn Ironwood
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
BLACK RIVER HARBOR CAMPGROUND
6.8 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
Triple Drop, Lepisto Falls and Iagoo Falls on the same river; Manabezho, Manido and Nawadaha falls in the Presque Isle River Scenic Area of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of ticks during warmer months.
Cities near Nokomis Falls
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