Pinkerton Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
About Pinkerton Falls
Pinkerton Falls is a small, little-documented falls on Pinkerton Creek in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, in Gogebic County near the park's western end. USGS maps place it about two-thirds of a mile north of the Pinkerton Trailhead on South Boundary Road, near the Pinkerton Trail. No guidebook or park source describes the falls or a path to it.
The Setting
Pinkerton Falls sits at 791 feet within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, in the foothills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The Pinkerton Trail runs north from South Boundary Road about 2.6 miles to Lake Superior near the mouth of the Little Carp River, through old-growth hemlock and across several bridged creeks. The mapped location of the falls is a few hundred yards east of where OpenStreetMap shows the trail, so reaching it may mean leaving the trail.
Accessibility
Accessibility information is not available. The area may not be suitable for visitors with mobility challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Pinkerton Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Dogs are allowed on most Michigan state park trails on a leash no longer than 6 feet and must be under immediate control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Pinkerton Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as water flow is typically higher due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks and uneven terrain. Cell phone service may be limited in the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Presque Isle River, 4.6 miles away, not on Pinkerton Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
87 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 3 years of record
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge PRESQUE ISLE RIVER NEAR CONNORVILLE, MI (7 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
91 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
86 cfs
4/10Sat
Barely Flowing
75 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
67 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
65 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
64 cfs
5/10Wed
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 White Pine hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Pinkerton Falls Frozen?
Updated about 23 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Pinkerton Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 55°F to 38°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.
Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 29 feet of drop through Pinkerton Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 791 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 23 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 24 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
- 791 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 29 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 Pinkerton Trailhead is posted on South Boundary Road, about 5 miles east of the Presque Isle area of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Pinkerton Trailhead on South Boundary Road. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicles in the state park.
Elevation
791 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.733333° N, -89.894722° W
Land Management
Managed by SPR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring a map or GPS device as the location may not be well-marked. Check local conditions before visiting, especially after heavy rains, as trails may become muddy or slippery.
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
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
BLACK RIVER HARBOR CAMPGROUND
8.5 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
Trappers Falls, Greenstone Falls and Overlooked Falls on the Little Carp River, and the Presque Isle River waterfalls at the west end of the park.
Wildlife
The area around Pinkerton Falls may feature local wildlife such as birds, deer, and small mammals.
Cities near Pinkerton Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Writing about Pinkerton Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.