Before you go
Since 2021 Smith Fisheries Road has been gated at one to three points, adding up to several miles each way to the walk. Check recent conditions before going.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Upper Falls
This Upper Falls is Upper Montreal Falls, a 12-foot chute on the Montreal River that plunges into a deep pool near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, east of Bete Grise. It sits about 0.3 miles upstream from Montreal Falls at the river's mouth on Lake Superior, with a smaller drop farther upstream. It is remote, and since 2021 the access road has been gated, which makes the walk much longer.
The Setting
Upper Falls sits at 699 feet within Baraga State Forest Area, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 12 feet.
Height: 12 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the end of Smith Fisheries Road, a trail follows the lakeshore, first as an old rocky two-track and then as a footpath through cedar forest, about a mile to Montreal Falls. A narrow fishermen's path continues upstream on the west bank to the upper falls. With the road gates closed, visitors have reported walks of 2 to 5 miles each way.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 12 feet.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No dog rule is published for this area.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring through fall; spring has the highest flow.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
The path along the lake has steep drop-offs, and the rocks around the upper falls are jagged and slippery. The area is remote, with limited cell service.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Copper Harbor hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Upper Falls Frozen?
Updated about 22 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Upper Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 58°F to 51°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
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
Location & Access
Getting There
From US-41 about 20 miles north of Calumet, turn right on Lac La Belle Road and follow it 4.3 miles, bearing left at the fork. About 3 miles past the fork, turn left on the unmarked Smith Fisheries Road (the last two-track before Bete Grise beach) and follow it toward the Bare Bluff trailhead and the road's end. Gates on this road, as many as three reported in 2024, may stop you well short of the end.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is little room to park or turn around at the gates on Smith Fisheries Road; a small pull-off has been reported at one gate. Plan to walk from wherever you are stopped.
Elevation
699 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.400556° N, -87.835833° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Plan for the long version of the walk and check recent trip reports on the gates. Bring water and allow most of a day.
Where to Stay
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
Montreal Falls at the river mouth, the Bare Bluff trail, Bete Grise beach and Lac La Belle.
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Upper Falls
25 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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