Superior Falls is a 90-foot tiered waterfall on the Montreal River, which forms the state line between Iron County, Wisconsin, and Gogebic County, Michigan. It pours through a gorge of red sandstone just above the river's mouth on Lake Superior.
The falls
The river drops in three steps through the gorge, with deep pools between them, before its final run to the lake. Travel Wisconsin and Wikipedia give the height as 90 feet; other sources count about 110 feet over several drops, with a final drop of 65 feet and an upper one of 20. A hydroelectric dam upstream, dating to 1917, diverts most of the river for power, and only a minimum flow is kept over the falls.
Getting there
Although the Wisconsin side carries a Saxon address, the parking is reached from Michigan. From Hurley, head about 12.5 miles west on US 2, then north on Highway 122 for about 4.2 miles across the state line, and another 0.5 mile to a signed gravel road on the left that ends at a gravel lot. There is no fee. Xcel Energy, which runs the hydro project, owns the land around it and lists the overlook, a canoe take-out and a tailwater fishing area as public recreation sites.
When to go
Early spring brings the strongest flow. Low water makes it easier to reach views below the main overlook.
On site
The main overlook of the final drop is just left of the parking lot, and fences guard the gorge edge. A steep paved path descends to the river mouth and the Lake Superior shore, and a grassy path leads upstream toward the upper drops and the dam; the ground is rocky and uneven. Water released from the dam can raise the river quickly, so stay out of the riverbed below the falls. Jumpers have been seen in the pools between drops. Pets are allowed.
History and name
The falls take their name from their closeness to Lake Superior. In spring 2006, extreme kayaker Tao Berman dropped from a helicopter into the river and ran the falls for a Discovery Channel stunt show.
Nearby
Saxon Falls, Upper Saxon Falls and Lower Saxon Falls lie upstream on the Montreal River in Michigan, each about 2.5 miles away. Potato River Falls is about 8.9 miles away. Saxon Harbor, a short drive away, has camping and picnic areas.
Distances are straight-line.