Otter Falls
Michigan • 10 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no trail to Otter Falls. Two of the three known approaches cross private land, a cabin sits on the east bank, and visitors report no-trespassing signs on the two-track; respect posted land.
Photo Credits (3)
About Otter Falls
Otter Falls is a low, 10-foot series of small ledges on the West Branch Otter River in Houghton County, near Alston, part of the Sturgeon River system. The river runs through a shaded, wooded valley. There is no trail; the falls are reached by back roads, two-tracks and walking along the river, and some approaches cross private land.
The Setting
Otter Falls sits at 804 feet within Baraga State Forest Area, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 10 feet.
Height: 10 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Wyandotte Falls (10 ft) lies 8.0 miles to the northwest.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No maintained trail. Routes follow two-tracks and the riverbank: one from Hazel Swamp Road follows a power-line access road to the Otter River, then walks upstream; another from Pike Lake Road follows Brule Creek downstream to the Otter River, avoiding the cabin. Expect wet, uneven ground and river crossings.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 10 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Otter Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Michigan state forest land but must be kept on a leash and under control; the approaches also cross private land.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Otter Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Otter Falls, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 46°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
The trail may be slippery after rain, and visitors should exercise caution near the water. Always stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sturgeon River, 7.4 miles away, not on Otter Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
230 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 93 years of record
4.32 ft
Water depth at gauge
46°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 46 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
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 STURGEON RIVER NEAR ALSTON, MI (12 km away).
Today
Low
248 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
276 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
294 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
263 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
259 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
264 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
257 cfs
5/10Best window: Sun — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid June, 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 Pelkie hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Otter Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Otter Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 236 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 86 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 10 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 807 feet above sea level.
The ground is already steep on the way in, falling about 102 feet in the 500 feet above the pin, and levels out below the falls. The falls face north 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
- 807 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 86 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
From Baraga, drive west on M-38 about 11 miles and turn north on Hazel Road, then park near the power lines on Hazel Swamp Road and follow the access road to the Otter River. A route from Nisula via Pike Lake Road and two-tracks avoids the cabin near the falls. The route via Tauriainen Road from Alston crosses private property.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
No parking area. Pull off near the power lines on Hazel Swamp Road without blocking the access road, and do not park on private land.
Elevation
804 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.811633° N, -88.754207° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring a map or GPS and waterproof boots. Cross the river before the falls rather than walking past the cabin on the east bank.
Where to Stay
Independence Stay Hotel and Long term suites
Trailside Furnished Apartment
AC4 Northwoods Getaway w Jetted Tub
Tiny Woodland Cottage Retreat with Yard in Pelkie
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
13.6 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
Hogger Falls and West Branch Sturgeon Falls on the West Branch Sturgeon River, Prickett Dam Falls on the Sturgeon River, and Wyandotte Falls on the Misery River.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Cities near Otter Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Otter Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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