Hike up Dover Creek to explore the many waterfalls in and around the Hungarian Falls Nature Area. Keep an eye out for the enormous boulders scattered throughout the forest — they were left behind by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Hungarian Falls is tucked into the forest just off M-26, about 9 miles from Houghton and Hancock in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Here, Dover Creek cascades down a rocky gorge, creating a series of three beautiful waterfalls (plus a bonus mini waterfall).
Hungarian Falls: The Basics
Hungarian Falls is free and open to the public year-round. It’s managed and maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Keweenaw Land Trust. Foot traffic is welcome; campfires and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Each of the three main waterfalls at Hungarian Falls has its own unique character — the Lower Falls drops more than 50 feet over a steep cliff, the Middle Falls is tucked into a picturesque sandstone amphitheater, and the Upper Falls runs over an exposed section of the now-dormant Keweenaw Fault, showing off billions of years of geologic history. To learn more about the geology of Hungarian Falls, visit Keweenaw Geoheritage.
Between the Middle Falls and Upper Falls, you’ll find a small pond that’s open for fishing. (You’ll need a Michigan fishing license.) There are no restrooms or garbage cans at Hungarian Falls, so make sure to plan ahead and pack out your trash.
Hungarian Falls Trail Map
The hiking trails at Hungarian Falls are short and easy to follow. For an easy hike, drive up to the upper parking area (check out the Hungarian Falls trail map above). From here, the trail is mostly level until you reach the Middle Falls. You’ll hear it before you see it!
When you reach the river, turn left to walk down to the Middle Falls and Lower Falls or right to reach the Upper Falls.
If you want a more strenuous hike, leave your car in the lower parking area and take the first access trail (with the yellow gate). When you reach the bridge that spans the gorge, turn right to head up the hill. The beginning of the trail can be challenging to spot; look for the path near the bridge railing. This route has a few steep sections, but it’s not overly challenging. The climb to the Lower Falls takes about 15 minutes if you’re walking at a moderate speed.
Hidden Hungarian Waterfall
Hungarian Falls also features another waterfall that most visitors miss. It’s located on the opposite side of the river from the main viewing areas — to see it, cross the bridge and find the trail that climbs the hill. It’s considerably steeper than the main trail, but the path is wide and open. Once you get to the top of the hill, you’ll cross a tiny tributary of Dover Creek. It flows over sandstone slabs, falling into lovely pools before dropping dramatically over an orange sandstone cliff. (Get a glimpse in the video above.)
Where you go from here depends on the water level. If the water is low, you can cross the stream and keep hiking up the hill. Eventually, you’ll see lower Hungarian Falls peeking through the trees. Shortly after that, a trail branches off to the right — follow it to the water and cross at the top of middle Hungarian Falls.
Alternatively, keep hiking and cross above the upper falls. Keep in mind that in some years, the top of the hiking trail might be under water. When that’s the case, go back to the upper falls; you can usually jump from rock to rock without getting wet.
When Is the Best Time to Hike Hungarian Falls?
You can hike to Hungarian Falls any time of year — every season offers a completely different experience. From late May to late October, the trail is mostly dry and easy to navigate.
If you’re hoping for thundering waterfalls and a rushing river, visit from mid-April to mid-May. The spring snowmelt and regular rains keep the waterfalls running high, and the roaring water echoes off the the rock walls. You can expect the trails to be icy or muddy, but if you’re relatively sure-footed, it’s one of the most exciting times to make the trek.
Want Hungarian Falls to yourself? Go midday during the week; you probably won’t see another soul.
In the summer, the leaves come out in full force, and the trails around the falls are impossibly green and beautiful. Lower water levels slow the waterfalls to a gentle flow (a trickle, in dry years), giving you plenty of opportunities to climb around on the rocks. Make sure to pack a bottle of insect repellent to keep away the mosquitoes.
The second-best time to visit Hungarian Falls is in the autumn. By late October, the fall colors turn the trees to yellow and orange. The area around the Upper Falls is particularly lovely.
When winter snows blanket the Keweenaw, strap on your snowshoes and hit the trails. The waterfalls freeze over, and the cascading water creates awe-inspiring ice formations. Hungarian Falls ice climbing is a popular winter activity for local climbers — on a beautiful weekend afternoon, it’s not uncommon to see a few brave souls scaling the frozen falls, ice axes in hand. Road conditions can be sketchy in the winter, so it’s a good idea to bring a 4WD or leave your car in the lower parking area.
How Long Is the Hike to Hungarian Falls?
The length of the Hungarian Falls Hike depends on where you start. From the lower parking area to the top of the Upper Falls on the north side of the river — the most-trafficked route, on the near side of the bridge — it’s about 0.9 miles one way.
- Lower parking area to bridge: 0.15 mi
- Bridge to top on the north side of the river: 0.75 mi
- Bridge to top on the south side of the river: 0.86 mi
- Upper parking area to Middle Falls: 0.25 mi
If you do the full loop from the lower parking lot, up the south-side trail (the far side of the bridge), down the north-side trail, and back to the parking area, it’s about 1.91 miles.
The trail conditions play a big part in the duration of the hike. If you’re hiking in the winter, allow plenty of time to navigate the snowy trails. Tall, warm winter boots are a must; snowshoes are a good idea when the snow is deep.
How to Get to Hungarian Falls
Hungarian Falls is located about 10-15 minutes from Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet.
To get to Hungarian Falls from Houghton:
- Cross the lift bridge toward Hancock
- Take M-26 north from Hancock to Hubbell (turn right at the end of the bridge)
- Turn left onto Sixth Street after about 8 miles
- Bear left onto Golf Course Road and drive up the hill
- Drive about 0.3 mile to the lower parking area or 0.6 mile to the upper parking area
Parking Near the Falls
There are two parking areas at Hungarian Falls — just pull off on the shoulder of Golf Course Road. The lower parking area has more space; you’ll see a large dirt pullout area on the left as you’re driving up the hill. Go around the bright yellow gate to find the lower access trail. (You can see it on the trail map of Hungarian Falls above.)
- Hungarian Falls lower parking area GPS coordinates: 47.171250, -88.439745
- Hungarian Falls upper parking area GPS coordinates: 47.173070, -88.444723
For a shorter, flatter access trail, continue about 0.3 miles up the hill, and keep an eye out for the trail on the left side. Park on the shoulder of the road.
Map to upper parking area:
Golf Course Road isn’t plowed in the winter, so the upper parking area isn’t always accessible. If the snow is too deep, park in the lower parking area or on the side of the road at bottom of the hill.
Is it Safe to Hike to Hungarian Falls?
As long as you’re cautious around the cliffs and the banks of the river, it’s safe to hike to Hungarian Falls. As with any hike, falling is the biggest risk. (In 2018, a man died after falling 80 feet in an accident at the falls.) Take great care around the cliffs and the edges of the river, especially at the Lower Falls.
One winter safety note: the water is often still flowing under the snow and ice, creating an unstable ledge that looks like it’s part of the bank. (see photo above) Before walking next to the river in the winter, always test the surface before putting your weight on it.
Whether you’re a local or you’re visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula, Hungarian Falls is a wonderful place to enjoy an easy hike and immerse yourself in the Michigan wilderness.