Pinnacle Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
1.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Pinnacle Falls
Pinnacle Falls is a 15 to 25 foot drop on the Yellow Dog River west of Big Bay, beside a rocky pinnacle in a steep gorge. It is in the 280-acre Pinnacle Falls Preserve, owned by the nonprofit Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and protected by a Nature Conservancy conservation easement. The preserve is open to the public for hiking, fishing, swimming and berry picking.
The Setting
Pinnacle Falls sits at 1,234 feet within Michigamme Highlands Easement, in the foothills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the small parking area, a steep, rutted trail of about 1 mile descends into the sandy river valley, passes a marker post, and bears left around the rocky pinnacle to the falls. The path can be overgrown in summer and has washed-out sections on the steep descent.
What to Expect
A drop over jagged rock into a deep, wide pool, with a historic timber crib at the top of the falls and a tall rock pinnacle on the east bank.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Pinnacle Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve does not publish a dog rule for the preserve.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Pinnacle Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is likely to have the most water flow 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 43°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
The descent is steep and rugged, and the rock around the pinnacle is hazardous; visitors have been hurt falling from it. The pool below the falls is deep, and the old timber crib at the top may be unstable.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Branch Salmon Trout River, 5.9 miles away, not on Pinnacle Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
16 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 21 years of record
1.64 ft
Water depth at gauge
43°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 43 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes. Mineral content is typical.
Water Quality
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 EAST BRANCH SALMON TROUT RIVER NEAR DODGE CITY, MI (9 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
16 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Low
19 cfs
4/10Thu
Low
22 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
21 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
21 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
19 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
16 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly 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 Big Bay hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Pinnacle Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 1 more freezing day forecast
Pinnacle Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 33°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- 16 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 131 feet through Pinnacle Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,232 feet.
The ground changes about 45 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 22 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and 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
- 1,232 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 131 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
From County Road 550 north of Marquette, turn left on County Road 510 before Big Bay. After about 3 miles continue straight onto County Road AAA where CR 510 turns left. After about 6 miles turn left onto the two-track signed for Pinnacle Falls, pass the M.J. VanDamme truck depot, and follow wooden signs to the parking area.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
A small parking area, room for about four cars, at the end of the access road. The two-tracks are rough and bumpy.
Elevation
1,234 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.706317° N, -87.806799° W
Land Management
Managed by NGO
Visitor Tips & Gear
Camping is allowed in the preserve if you stay more than 300 feet from waterways, trails and the parking area. Mountain bikes are limited to roads, and motorized vehicles are not allowed.
Where to Stay
Comfort Suites Marquette
Holiday Inn Marquette by IHG
My Place Hotel-Marquette, MI
Staybridge Suites Marquette by IHG
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.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Wylie Dam Falls and Mulligan Falls are within about 3 miles, and Yellow Dog Falls is farther upstream off CR 510.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Cities near Pinnacle Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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