Easy 24-foot waterfall accessible from a shared trailhead; part of an active USFS repair project with partial seasonal closures.
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Active USFS repair project along the Black River waterfall corridor (started May 18, 2026, expected through fall 2027); per the USFS alert, Gorge Falls is 'Open with some closures,' with further portions expected to close later in the season.
Gorge Falls is a 24-foot waterfall near Bessemer along Michigan’s Black River scenic corridor. The falls are fed by the river and accessible via an easy trail from a shared trailhead with Potawatomi Falls.
The site is currently part of an active U.S. Forest Service repair project that began in May 2026 and is expected to continue through fall 2027. The falls area is open, but some portions have seasonal closures, with the possibility of additional closures as work continues. Before planning a visit, check the USFS Ottawa National Forest recreation website for the most current status and any access restrictions.
There is no day-use fee to access Gorge Falls — it’s open to the public on U.S. Forest Service land. The falls itself is 29 feet wide with a 24-foot drop. If you’re in the area, Potawatomi Falls is just a short distance away at the same trailhead, making it easy to visit both.
Year-round, but check USFS status for seasonal closures related to the ongoing repair project through fall 2027.
You need recent accessibility information — the ADA status of the Gorge Falls platform is not explicitly documented.
Potawatomi Falls shares the same trailhead.
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
The managing agency's page (linked below) has the current trailhead and route details — round-trip distance wasn't published when we checked.
We track 7 waterfalls in Porcupine Mountains & Black River.
There are 6 other waterfalls we track in Gogebic County. All Porcupine Mountains & Black River waterfalls →
fs.usda.gov
USFS Ottawa National Forest recreation-site page, checked 2026-09-04. Page states 'Gorge Falls has a 29 foot width and a 24 foot drop'; ADA status of the Gorge Falls platform itself is not explicitly stated, so left null. Coordinates shared with Potawatomi Falls listing (same trailhead). CLOSURE CHECK: listed as 'Site Open' with only partial closures noted.
Checked September 2026.