LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Sand Portage Falls
Michigan • 5 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
3.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
130 ft
About Sand Portage Falls
Sand Portage Falls is the last of the rapids, or "piers," in Piers Gorge on the Menominee River, on the Michigan-Wisconsin border southwest of Norway. It is a roughly 5-foot drop where the river runs diagonally across the channel around two rock islands, about a mile downstream of Misicot Falls. The gorge is in the Piers Gorge Unit of the Menominee River State Recreation Area.
The Setting
Sand Portage Falls sits at 869 feet in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 5 feet.
Height: 5 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate 3.0-mile out-and-back trail gains 130 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The Piers Gorge trail follows the Michigan bank of the river from the parking area past Misicot Falls and the other piers. It is about 1.5 miles one way (about 3 miles round trip), mostly shaded and fairly flat with roots and rocks. Past Misicot Falls the path becomes a less-traveled singletrack, and it does not give a clear view of Sand Portage Falls.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 5 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 Sand Portage Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Pets are allowed in the Menominee River State Recreation Area on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under immediate control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Sand Portage Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring through fall, when the trail is clear of snow. Higher flows in spring make the rapids larger.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The Menominee River is wide and fast through the gorge. Do not wade or swim near the rapids, and watch footing on wet rock along the bank.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Menominee River, 5.1 miles away, not on Sand Portage Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,480 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 38 years of record
5.43 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 MENOMINEE RIVER NEAR VULCAN, MI (8 km away).
Today
Low
1598 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
1811 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
1619 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
1530 cfs
6/10Sun
Barely Flowing
1480 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
1574 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
1540 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early 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 Niagara hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Sand Portage Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Sand Portage Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1540 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 53 feet of drop through Sand Portage Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 5 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 869 feet above sea level.
Both above and below, the ground is gentle; the falls are the one abrupt step in an otherwise easy-going creek. Facing south, 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
- 869 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 53 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- 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 south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From US-8 just north of the Wisconsin border, south of Norway, take Piers Gorge Road west about 1.1 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is a large shaded parking area at the end of Piers Gorge Road. A Michigan Recreation Passport or daily pass is required to park.
Elevation
869 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.759958° N, -87.964569° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear shoes with good grip for roots and rock. Stay back from the water; the rapids here are class II to III and are run by commercial rafting trips.
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With 3.0 miles and 130 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Where to Stay
Mountain Host Motor Inn
Pine Mountain Resort
Comfort Inn Iron Mountain North
Baymont by Wyndham Iron Mountain
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
Misicot Falls and the other piers on the same trail, the town of Norway, and the Quiver Falls and Pemene Falls units of the Menominee River State Recreation Area to the south.
Wildlife
Eagles, osprey, common loons and waterfowl are commonly seen along the river.
Cities near Sand Portage Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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