Slide Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
1.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Slide Falls
Slide Falls is a natural water slide in the Slate River Gorge in Baraga County, east of L'Anse, where the river fans over a wide, nearly flat sheet of slate and drops into a few deep pits at the bottom. It is about 10 feet high and sits just upstream of Ecstasy Falls and a few hundred yards above Slate River Falls. It is reached on foot by following the river upstream from Skanee Road.
The Setting
Slide Falls sits at 748 feet within Slate River Forest Reserve, in the foothills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no maintained trail. From Skanee Road, a rough, unmarked path made by visitors follows the east side of the Slate River about half a mile to Slate River Falls, then continues upstream past Ecstasy Falls to Slide Falls. Expect gorge rims, roots and at least one river crossing, or wading in the river itself.
What to Expect
Visitors can expect a peaceful and scenic experience at Slide Falls. The waterfall is not very tall but offers a tranquil setting with cascading water over smooth rocks. The surrounding forest adds to the natural beauty of the area.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Slide Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No published dog rule was found for the land along the Slate River gorge.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Slide Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the water flow is typically stronger due to snowmelt and rainfall. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for outdoor activities.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
River crossings can be dangerous in high water, and the gorge walls are steep upstream of Slate River Falls.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Silver River, 3.6 miles away, not on Slide Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
51 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 25 years of record
6.72 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SILVER RIVER NEAR L'ANSE, MI (6 km away).
Today
Moderate
51 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
49 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
47 cfs
8/10Wed
Moderate
44 cfs
8/10Thu
Moderate
46 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
43 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
50 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to late 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 Skanee hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Slide Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Slide Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 36°F to 32°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 52 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 measures about 84 feet of descent through Slide Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 748 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 74 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 80 feet in the 500 feet below. 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
- 748 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 84 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
Drive Skanee Road about 10 to 11 miles east of L'Anse to the signed bridge over the Slate River, just past Arvon Road. Park on either side of the bridge, or at a small turnaround at the end of a two-track a few hundred feet east of it, and follow the river upstream.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside parking on either side of the Skanee Road bridge over the Slate River, or a small turnaround at the end of a two-track just east of the bridge.
Elevation
748 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.827733° N, -88.248266° W
Land Management
Managed by NGO
Visitor Tips & Gear
The path along the east rim of the gorge is the easiest walking; drop down to the river at Ecstasy Falls for the best view of Slide Falls.
Where to Stay
Independence Stay Hotel and Long term suites
AC4 Northwoods Getaway w Jetted Tub
UP Escape in the Pines
Lakefront Lookout! Private Sand Beach on Superior
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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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Slate River Falls, Ecstasy Falls and Kukuck's Falls on the same stretch of the Slate River, and Quartzite and Black Slate Falls farther upstream off Arvon Road.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Slide Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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