LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Wyandotte Falls
Michigan • 10 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Wyandotte Falls
Wyandotte Falls is a small two-step waterfall, about 10 feet in total, on the Misery River in Houghton County, near Twin Lakes and the Wyandotte Hills Golf Course. The river drains Lake Roland and Lake Gerald (the Twin Lakes), so the falls run strongly in spring melt and can be a trickle by summer. A short trail leads through large old cedars and moss-covered boulders to the falls.
The Setting
Wyandotte Falls sits at 1,152 feet within Baraga State Forest Area, in the foothills of Michigan. The falls drop 10 feet.
Height: 10 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
A signed, narrow footpath leads south from the road to the river, about 1/4 mile each way (roughly 0.5 miles round trip), under large cedars on soft ground. It is mostly flat.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 10 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Wyandotte Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Michigan state forest land; no trail-specific rule is posted here.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Wyandotte Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
April and May, during snowmelt, when the Twin Lakes outflow is highest. By July the falls are often only a trickle.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 46°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
Visitors should exercise caution on wet or muddy trails to avoid slipping. Be aware of wildlife and carry bug spray to deter mosquitoes and ticks. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sturgeon River, 15.3 miles away, not on Wyandotte Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
230 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 93 years of record
4.32 ft
Water depth at gauge
46°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 46 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge STURGEON RIVER NEAR ALSTON, MI (25 km away).
Today
Low
248 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
276 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
294 cfs
4/10Sun
Barely Flowing
263 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
259 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
264 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
257 cfs
5/10Best window: Sun — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid 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 Pelkie hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Wyandotte Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Wyandotte Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°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
- 236 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 65 feet of drop through Wyandotte Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. That is more than the listed 10 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,167 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 35 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 38 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,167 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 65 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From M-26 at Twin Lakes, take Poyhonen Road west, just south of Twin Lakes State Park, toward Wyandotte Hills Golf Course. Continue past the course and look for the trailhead on the left side of the road a few hundred feet beyond the golf course storage shed.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside pull-off near the trailhead on Poyhonen Road; space is limited.
Elevation
1,152 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.890278° N, -88.878889° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring bug spray during the summer months, as mosquitoes can be prevalent. Wear sturdy shoes, especially after rain, as the trail may be slippery. Check road conditions before visiting, as forest roads can be rough or muddy.
Where to Stay
Trailside Furnished Apartment
Independence Stay Hotel and Long term suites
AC4 Northwoods Getaway w Jetted Tub
Jake's Bed & Bar
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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Nearby Campground
Ontonagon Ranger District
20.6 miles away · 0 sites
Ontonagon Ranger District is on the shores of Lake Superior, largest of the Great Lakes, and the mouth of the Ontonagon River. There are numerous outdoor recreational opportunities. Hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, and ATV riding are available in the summer and fall months. In the winter downhill, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are available.
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Twin Lakes State Park is next to the area, and Upper and Lower Penn Falls on the East Branch Firesteel River are about 6 miles away.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks and other insects.
Nearby Waterfalls
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