Great Conglomerate Falls is a 15-foot segmented waterfall on the Black River in the Ottawa National Forest, Gogebic County, Michigan, about 10.4 miles north of Bessemer. The river divides around an island of conglomerate rock, and Potawatomi and Gorge falls on the same river lie less than a mile away.
The falls
The Black River splits around the rock island in a forest of hemlock and northern hardwoods, typical of the glaciated Northern Lakes and Forests, where dark, tannin-stained rivers step over old bedrock ledges. Lidar data puts the drop at about 15 feet, though earlier surveys listed 30 feet and an agency brochure gave 40 feet.
Getting there
The falls are managed by the Ottawa National Forest. Trail access is located 11.5 miles north of US 2 off County Road 513, with a path of about three-quarters of a mile descending toward the river, making a 1.5-mile round trip. The North Country Trail connects the falls with Potawatomi Falls.
Since May 2026 the Forest Service has been rebuilding stairs and viewing platforms along the Black River falls, work expected to continue through fall 2027. In May 2026 the trail to Great Conglomerate Falls remained open, with an advisory to use caution on the trail tread and stairs.
When to go
In summer, when the river runs lower, the falls separate into two drops. Seasonal road and flow details are not documented.
On site
The trail's stairs and overlook structures are aging and are among those scheduled for repair; watch footing on worn treads.
History and name
The falls take their name from the large outcrop of conglomerate rock in the middle of the river, which gives them their segmented shape. They are also called Conglomerate Falls.
Nearby
Potawatomi Falls is about 0.4 mile away, Gorge Falls about 0.6 mile and Sandstone Falls, closed for stair replacement from May 18, 2026, about 1.3 miles; Rainbow Falls is about 1.9 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.