Moderate 1.5-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall dropping around a conglomerate-rock island; use caution due to ongoing trail repairs.
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Active USFS repair project along the Black River waterfall corridor (started May 18, 2026, expected through fall 2027); per the USFS alert, Conglomerate Falls is 'Open' but visitors should 'use caution on trail tread and stairs.'
Great Conglomerate Falls is a 40-foot drop along the Black River near Bessemer, where the water cascades around an island of conglomerate rock. The trail to the falls is about 3/4 mile one way, making the round trip approximately 1.5 miles at a moderate pace.
An active U.S. Forest Service repair project is underway along the entire Black River waterfall corridor through fall 2027. The site is currently open, but the USFS advises visitors to use caution on trail tread and stairs. Check the USFS Ottawa National Forest recreation website before your visit for any updated closures or access restrictions.
There’s no day-use fee to visit Conglomerate Falls. The hike is moderately challenging but accessible to anyone in reasonable hiking condition. This falls is part of the scenic Black River area, which includes several waterfall viewing opportunities within a short distance of each other.
Year-round, but check USFS status for the ongoing Black River repair project through fall 2027.
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.
Via a 1.5-mile round-trip trail rated moderate by the managing agency.
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 ('Conglomerate Waterfalls'), checked 2026-09-04. Page states river 'falls 40-feet around an island of conglomerate rock' via a 3/4-mile trail (doubled to 1.5 mi round trip). Coordinates omitted: the official page lists the identical lat/lng as the separate Rainbow Falls listing, which appears to be a data/templating duplication on the source site, so it was not published here to avoid propagating a likely error. CLOSURE CHECK: listed as 'Site Open,' not closed (unlike Sandstone Falls, excluded).
Checked September 2026.