Lower Saxon Falls

waterfall · Gogebic County, Michigan

0.02 mi hike Easy
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Scout's Notes

Lower Saxon Falls offers a quick waterfall fix with minimal effort — you'll walk maybe 100 feet from the parking area to the viewing spot. The falls cascade down in a series of drops, but you'll be looking at them from above behind a fence that was installed because the cliff edge is eroding. While the official viewpoint keeps you at a safe distance, there's a steep unofficial trail that some adventurous folks use to scramble down to the riverbed for a closer look. This path heads off to the right of the fenced area, but it's genuinely steep and can be treacherous, especially when wet. The parking area is just a dirt pull-off that turns into a mud pit when it rains, so don't wear your nice shoes. Trees partially obstruct the view from the official overlook, which frustrates some visitors expecting a clear shot of the falls. Most people spend 10-15 minutes here before moving on to the more impressive Superior Falls just down the road. The falls run strongest during spring snowmelt and after heavy rains — they can be pretty underwhelming during dry spells in late summer.

Getting There

Nearest Town

, MI

County

Gogebic County

Coordinates

46.5362, -90.3792

The Hike

Distance (one-way)

0.02 miles

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Type

Trail

Know Before You Go

Parking
Restrooms
ADA Access
🆓
Free
🌊
Best: Spring

Parking: Dirt pull-off area, gets muddy when wet

Seasonal: Best flow during spring snowmelt and after rains. Can be underwhelming in dry periods.

Heads up: Eroding cliff edge, steep unofficial trail to riverbed

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the walk to Lower Saxon Falls?

It's an extremely short walk — about 100 feet from the parking area to the viewing spot. The whole visit typically takes 10-15 minutes.

Can you get down to the bottom of Lower Saxon Falls?

There's an unofficial steep trail to the right of the fenced viewing area that some people use to reach the riverbed. However, it's quite steep and can be dangerous, especially when wet. The official viewing area is fenced off due to cliff erosion.

Where is Lower Saxon Falls located?

Lower Saxon Falls is in Gogebic County, very close to Superior Falls. Most people visit both falls since they're so near each other.

Is Lower Saxon Falls worth visiting?

It's a quick and easy waterfall stop that many find worth a brief visit, especially if you're already seeing Superior Falls nearby. However, some visitors find the partially obstructed view from the overlook disappointing. The falls are most impressive during high water periods.

What's the parking like at Lower Saxon Falls?

There's a dirt parking area that can get very muddy when it rains. It's just a basic pull-off, not a paved lot.

Why is the viewing area at Lower Saxon Falls fenced off?

The fence was installed because the cliff edge on the viewing side is eroding and crumbling, making it unsafe to approach the edge.

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