Gratiot River Falls on Gratiot River

blocky basalt drops near Lake Superior

Blocky drops of the lower falls
  • Mirror mouth of Gratiot River
  • Blocky drops of the lower falls
  • Upper drops at Gratiot River Falls
  • Snowy mounds hiding the falls

Before Gratiot River flows into Lake Superior and a rocky, protected bay, it flows over a set of two blocky, basaltic drops. These drops are located near the end of a swampy stretch, though the outcropping is not enough to end the swamp. This waterfall is part of a larger conservancy is far from traffic and, with the nearby rocky bay, makes for a great destination.

Directions

Directly before entering Ahmeek on northbound US-41 bear left at a sign for Five Mile Point. Follow the signs for Five Mile Point through town. After leaving Ahmeek stay on Five Mile for .6 miles, turning left on the fork right before Ahmeek cemetery. This road merges with Bumbletown Road after about .9 miles - just keep heading north, bearing right at any forks, and avoid any side logging tracks.

1.9 miles after bumping into Bumbletown Road there will be a muddy two-track that bends off to the right, down to the river. Either drive down it to the parking area below (which may be tough depending on your vehicle) or just park on Bumbletown. Follow the path down to the river and falls.

Also, a protected bay at the mouth of Gratiot River is about another mile down this road and is worth the extra drive.

Comments (1)

  • Keweenaw Natural Areas Jun 23, '19 The falls pictured are the Lower Falls. Pretty good directions via the Gratiot Shortcut Road (heads west then north off Five Mile Point Road opposite Calvary Cemetery, about 1.0 miles from Ahmeek). KNA is the INTERIM owner of this property; the group is currently raising $$ to protect the habitat and species present and protect public access in perpetuity. If funds are not identified by the end of 2020, the property will be sold and developed and put off limits to the public. Hopefully that won't happen!The Upper Falls are now part of a beaver pond.Conglomerate Falls is accessible off South Farmer's Block Road (just keep going west onto the two track/ Conglomerate Falls Lane, which ends at a parking area), within the KNA Conglomerate Falls Natural Area (275 acres with 1.3 miles of the Gratiot).More info and maps at the KNA Nature Center at the Ahmeek Streetcar Station (4 miles north of Calumet on US41).Add to this discussion
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