From the bluffs above the Gratiot River, Conglomerate Falls doesn’t seem like much of a waterfall at all. Don’t be deterred — the real magic of this unusual waterfall is hidden until you scramble down the steep slope and peer around the bend in the river.
From this vantage point, it’s easy to see how the falls got their name: the enormous, inclined conglomerate slab that lies under the water. The Gratiot River bubbles over the uneven surface in a shallow layer, giving the waterfall a distinctive rushing sound.
How To Get To Conglomerate Falls
Conglomerate Falls is located outside Ahmeek, Michigan, about 9 miles north of Calumet, Michigan, and 22 miles north of Houghton, Michigan. There are no services in this area, and cell reception can be spotty.
Directions to Conglomerate Falls
- Drive north on US-41 to the town of Ahmeek.
- Turn left on Wright Street, drive two blocks, and turn right on 5 Mile Point Road.
- After 2.3 miles, turn left on Farmers Block Road South; the road is marked with a large wooden sign.
- Drive 1 mile straight down the gravel road. Note that Farmers Block Road South takes a right turn after .7 miles; ignore it, and keep going straight to continue onto Tanskanen Road.
- When Tanskanen Road takes a sharp right turn, you’ll see a narrow two-track road that continues straight ahead. This is the entrance to the Conglomerate Falls Natural Area.
At this point, you have two options. You can leave your car in the small dirt parking area to the left and walk 0.4 miles to the Conglomerate Falls trailhead. The GPS coordinates for this parking area are: 47.329234, -88.425776.
Alternatively, keep driving down the narrow dirt road — there are some deep ruts, so it’s best to take this route only if you have a high-clearance vehicle. The road widens into a semblance of a loop near the trailhead. (GPS coordinates: 47.330891, -88.433219, see map above) There’s plenty of room to pull off and park. If you reach a cabin, you’ve gone too far.
Keep in mind that the Conglomerate Falls Natural Area road is often closed in the spring due to muddy conditions. If you’re not sure that your vehicle can make it, it’s best to walk.
Hiking to Conglomerate Falls
Conglomerate Falls is located inside the Conglomerate Falls Natural Area, which is managed by the Keweenaw Natural Areas land trust. This area is open to the public — in fact, you can walk all the way down the Gratiot River until it empties into Lake Superior. (Just make sure you know what to expect.)
How To Reach the Waterfall
From the parking area, take the short, uneven trail downhill to reach the top off the bluff on the north side of the Gratiot River. For the best view of Conglomerate Falls, carefully climb down the (very steep) slope. Walk a few yards upstream to get the full effect. Even better, walk directly in the waterfall; the water is shallow, and the currents aren’t usually too strong.
If you’re not in the mood for a steep descent, turn right and follow the trail until it descends closer to the water. Walk over to the river bank and look upstream to see lower Conglomerate Falls. It’s smaller and less impressive than the upper falls, but much easier to reach.
Downstream, keep an eye out for the deep pool in the Gratiot River. You might see an angler or two fishing for brook trout.
The hiking trails in the Conglomerate Falls Nature Area are a little uneven but mostly easy to navigate. Take care at the top of the bluff — it drops away precariously as you head downstream, and there are no trees to break a fall. Other than that section, the trail is largely protected.
Continuing the Hike Along the Gratiot River
After you pass the lower Conglomerate Falls, the trail ends. If you want to continue hiking downstream to Gratiot River Falls, there are two options: bushwhack or walk in the river. Pick your way along the banks, popping in and out of the forest as needed. The underbrush can be dense in places, but it’s pretty manageable.
The real drawback? The ticks are terrible — we popped out of the woods covered in them. Given that there were a few deer ticks in the mix, we decided to walk back in the icy water. If you decide to hike this route, bring industrial-strength tick spray, a hat, and full-coverage clothing. (And do tick checks at regular intervals.)
Unless you’re fishing, the hike isn’t interesting enough to justify the risk of Lyme Disease. I’d recommend checking out Conglomerate Falls and then driving down over to Gratiot River Falls.
Conglomerate Falls Cabin
Just up the road from the waterfall parking area, Keweenaw Natural Areas rents out an off-grid cabin. It’s rustic but well-maintained, with solar power and a composting toilet. Since few people make it out to this area, you’re almost guaranteed a quiet getaway. Gratiot Falls, Gratiot River County Park, and Eagle River are all within an easy drive. You can book the cabin on VRBO.