Potawatomi Falls

40-foot tiered on Black River · Gogebic County, Michigan

40' tall 0.25 mi hike Easy
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Known For

Scout's Notes

Potawatomi Falls offers a short, mostly paved walk to a viewing platform overlooking this 40-foot tiered cascade on the Black River. The trail from the parking lot is only about 600 feet and relatively flat, though you'll encounter stairs leading down to the viewing platform. While the falls themselves are beautiful, especially during spring runoff, many visitors find the view partially obstructed by trees that have grown up in front of the platform over the years. You can't access the base of the falls anymore – the trails down were blocked off for safety – so you're limited to viewing from the platform above. The falls share an entrance with Gorge Falls, and you can easily walk between the two on paved paths. If you start from the Gorge Falls parking area, you can actually stay on pavement the entire way with no stairs. Despite the viewing limitations, the sound of the rushing water and the forest setting make this a worthwhile stop, especially if you're visiting other falls along this stretch of Black River Road.

Getting There

Nearest Town

Ironwood, MI

County

Gogebic County

Park / Forest

Ottawa National Forest

Coordinates

46.6379, -90.0516

The Hike

Distance (one-way)

0.25 miles

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Type

Trail

Know Before You Go

Parking
Restrooms
ADA Access
🆓
Free
🌊
Best: Spring

Parking: Large parking lot shared with Gorge Falls access

Seasonal: Best flow in spring after rainfall. Still flows well in fall but with less volume.

Heads up: Stairs to viewing platform can be challenging

Nearby Waterfalls

Gorge Falls
24' tall · Gogebic County
Great Conglomerate Falls
30' tall · Gogebic County
Sandstone Falls
20' tall · Gogebic County

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the walk to Potawatomi Falls?

It's a very short walk of about 600 feet (0.1 mile) from the parking lot to the viewing platform. The trail is mostly paved and flat, making it an easy walk for most visitors.

Can you get close to Potawatomi Falls?

No, you can only view the falls from an observation platform. The trails that used to lead down to the base of the falls have been blocked off for safety reasons. You'll be viewing from above at a distance.

Are there stairs at Potawatomi Falls?

Yes, there are stairs leading down to the viewing platform. Multiple reviewers mention these stairs can be challenging to climb back up. However, if you start from the Gorge Falls parking lot, you can reach the falls on a paved path with no stairs.

Is Potawatomi Falls wheelchair accessible?

The main viewing platform requires going down stairs, so it's not wheelchair accessible from the Potawatomi parking lot. However, one reviewer noted that starting from the Gorge Falls parking lot allows you to stay on pavement with no stairs, which may provide wheelchair access.

Can you see Potawatomi Falls clearly from the viewing platform?

The view is partially obstructed by trees that have grown up over the years. While you can still see the falls and they're beautiful, several reviewers noted disappointment that trees block parts of the view. The sound of the falls is impressive even if the view isn't perfect.

Can you visit Potawatomi Falls and Gorge Falls together?

Yes! The two falls share an entrance and have connected trails. You can easily walk between them on paved paths. Many visitors recommend seeing both since they're so close together.

Is Potawatomi Falls worth visiting compared to other Black River falls?

Opinions vary. Some visitors found it disappointing compared to nearby Rainbow Falls, while others loved it. Since it's such a short walk and you're already in the area seeing other falls, most people find it worth the quick stop even with the obstructed views.

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