Potawatomi Falls is a 35-foot waterfall on the Black River in the Ottawa National Forest, Gogebic County, Michigan, about 10.8 miles north of Bessemer. It lies on the Black River Scenic Byway, shares its parking with Gorge Falls, and is reached by a short path to an accessible viewing platform.
The falls
The river splits around a block of conglomerate rock and comes down in two broad channels, classed as a wide horsetail with two drops. Lidar data estimates the height at about 35 feet. Earlier surveys listed 40 feet; one account says nearly 40 feet and another gives 30. The form resembles nearby Great Conglomerate Falls. At low water the falls split into separate segments with most of the river pouring down the right side; at high water white water covers the rock between them.
Getting there
The shared Potawatomi and Gorge falls access is just over 12 miles north of US 2 on County Road 513, the Black River Scenic Byway. From the Potawatomi lot a 600-foot trail leads to the viewing platform, and a 500-foot asphalt path runs from the south end of the Gorge lot. The byway's falls trails were designated a National Recreation Trail for their stairways and observation platforms.
In May 2026 the Ottawa National Forest began rebuilding viewing platforms at the Black River falls, work expected to last through fall 2027. Parts of the platforms closed when work started, and further trail closures were planned later in the summer.
When to go
Flow changes the shape of the falls, as described above.
On site
An accessible vault toilet and an accessible platform serve Potawatomi Falls. During the 2026–2027 construction, parts of that route may be closed.
History and name
The falls are named for the Potawatomi people.
Nearby
Gorge Falls is about 0.2 mile away, Great Conglomerate Falls about 0.4 mile, Sandstone Falls about 0.9 mile and Rainbow Falls, the last falls before Lake Superior, about 1.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.