Houghton-Douglass Falls

Michigan’s Tallest Waterfall Is Worth Visiting

Houghton-Douglass Falls is the tallest waterfall in Michigan at 110 feet and is located near Houghton in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Houghton-Douglass Falls is the tallest waterfall in Michigan, dropping roughly 110 feet into a rugged ancient volcanic gorge just north of Houghton in the Keweenaw Peninsula. If you’re searching for the best waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this is one you don’t skip. Out of all the Keweenaw Peninsula waterfalls, you haven’t seen one like this.

You may still see it referred to as “Douglass Houghton Falls,” “Douglas Houghton Falls,” or even just “Houghton Falls,” but the official name is Houghton-Douglass Falls.

Located along M-26 near Calumet, this site has seen thoughtful improvements - including a bridge crossing Hammell Creek, a new parking area, and a vault toilet. Houghton-Douglass Falls is one of the Keweenaw’s most impressive waterfalls and now one of the most approachable major waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula while still feeling wild and scenic.

In all your adventures in Michigan’s northernmost point – remember to Love The Keweenaw and practice Leave No Trace principles during your time in nature.

Houghton-Douglass Falls Quick Facts

Where Is Houghton-Douglass Falls Located?

Houghton-Douglass Falls is located in Calumet Township, just four minutes east of where US-41 meets M-26.

How To Get To Houghton-Douglass Falls (Directions + Parking)

Google Maps will correctly label the Houghton-Douglass Falls Trailhead parking lot. Cell service can be spotty in this area, so be sure to grab a Waterfall Guide from Visit Keweenaw in Houghton or Calumet before heading out.

Look for a developed parking lot on the north side of M-26 about five minutes southeast of Calumet. If you’re coming from the Lake Linden side, the entrance will be on the right just before the long curve into Laurium.

With easy roadside access, you’ll be able to leave your car in a marked, developed parking area safely off the highway. From here, follow the graveled, smoothed path back to the top of Houghton-Douglass Falls. The round-trip hike is just under half a mile. The path is mostly flat, and a newly built bridge takes hikers over Hammell Creek to view the falls.

Past the creek crossing, there is an undeveloped footpath. Use extreme caution, as there are no guardrails installed at this time at the edge of the cliff. Conditions can change seasonally, and visitors should stay aware of footing at all times. 

If you’re looking for waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, none compares to Houghton-Douglass Falls in the Keweenaw Peninsula. While the falls are near Houghton, they’re technically in Calumet Township.

Like Waterfalls? Download Our Waterfall Passport To Visit And Earn Swag

Visit Keweenaw offers a Digital Passport via Bandwango for you to check in at select Copper Country waterfalls (including Houghton-Douglass Falls) and earn a Waterfall Wanderer patch from Visit Keweenaw. The patches are iron-on style and allow you to show off your outdoor accomplishments (Keweenaw-style)!

Accessibility: How Easy Is It To Visit Houghton-Douglass Falls?

Houghton-Douglass Falls is one of the easiest major waterfalls to see in Michigan, but not fully accessible end-to-end for all users. With convenient parking right off M-26 and a smooth, gravel path, the roughly half-mile out-and-back to Houghton-Douglass Falls is generally considered an easy walk. The route begins flat and accessible, making it manageable for many visitors. Those with mobility considerations—including wheelchair users with assistance or powered devices—can typically reach Hammell Creek via this maintained section.

Beyond the pedestrian bridge, the trail transitions back to a more natural surface, with uneven terrain, exposed roots, and rocky footing. Visitors using adaptive equipment or navigating mobility challenges should use caution past this point and plan accordingly.

Safety At Houghton-Douglass Falls (IMPORTANT)

You’ll likely hear Houghton-Douglass Falls before you see it. The sound builds as you approach, echoing through the gorge before the falls suddenly reveal themselves—plunging over dark volcanic rock with mist rising from below.

Houghton-Douglass Falls may be the easiest major waterfall in Michigan to see – but it’s still a powerful natural site, and the terrain demands respect.

The falls plunge into a steep, rugged gorge, with sheer drops and unstable edges in places. Stay on established viewing areas and paths at all times. Currently, cliff edges are unprotected with no guardrails or platforms. Getting closer to the edge might seem tempting for a better photo, but the rocky surface can be loose, wet and unpredictable.

Conditions also change quickly throughout the year. In spring, high water and strong currents make the gorge especially dangerous. In colder months, ice and snow can create extremely slippery footing, even near the parking and bridge areas.

This is a place to take in the view—not push your luck. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep a safe distance from the edge, and enjoy one of Michigan’s most impressive waterfalls the right way.

Why Houghton-Douglass Falls Is Michigan’s #1 Unique Waterfall

Not only is Houghton-Douglass Falls the tallest waterfall in Michigan—and one of the most striking in the Upper Peninsula—it’s also rich in geology and history.

The Story Behind The Name: Houghton Vs. Douglass 

The name itself tells a bit of a story. It honors Michigan’s first state geologist, Douglass Houghton, along with his cousin, Columbus C. Douglass. Over the years, that connection has led to some confusion, with many mistakenly calling it “Douglass-Houghton Falls.” But the correct name—Houghton-Douglass Falls—recognizes both men and reflects the layered history behind one of Michigan’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Douglass Houghton joined American geographer Henry Schoolcraft in 1831 on an expedition to locate the source of the Mississippi River—an early sign of the curiosity and ambition that would define his career. By the time Michigan became a state in 1837, Houghton was living in the Detroit area and, at just 28 years old, was appointed as Michigan’s first state geologist. The same year, he surveyed the state from Saginaw to Copper Harbor and Ontonagon – reporting his findings.

As word spread across the country—and beyond—about the Keweenaw’s rich copper deposits, a wave of prospectors and investors surged into the region. The Copper Rush officially began in 1843, transforming the remote peninsula almost overnight. Just two years later, tragedy struck when Douglass Houghton’s boat sank near Eagle River, claiming his life and those of two crewmen. Michigan mourned the loss of its young state geologist, but his legacy endures today in the names, places, and stories woven throughout the Keweenaw.

Columbus C. Douglass, who joined Houghton in 1838 as an assistant during early copper explorations, went on to carve out his own legacy in the region. He became a key figure in the Western Upper Peninsula’s development, helping launch businesses and advance early mining operations. In the 1860s, Douglass relocated to New York City while maintaining his investments in Michigan. In 1874, he passed away in London, but like his cousin Houghton, his influence remains deeply rooted in the Copper Country – where both names continue to shape the region’s identity.

The geology of the falls is just as unique. The 110-foot drop cascades across craggy volcanic rock, with pockets of sandstone along Hammell Creek.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Safety + Stewardship

Visit Keweenaw cannot stress enough the importance of using Leave No Trace principles and Loving the Keweenaw.

That means:

• Stay back from the waterfall edges
• Respect the land
• Stay on posted trails and pay attention to posted signage
• Park in the parking lot
• Respect bathroom facilities
• Pack out what you pack in – don’t be a litterbug!

Is Houghton-Douglass Falls Really Worth Visiting?

Short answer—yes.

Not because it checks a box, but because it delivers more than it should for how easy it is to get to. You’re not hiking miles or hoping for a decent view—you’re walking into something that actually feels big.

It’s one of those stops that surprises people. You think, “quick waterfall stop,” and then you’re standing there a little longer than you planned, just taking it in.

If you’re already in the Keweenaw, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re not, it’s the kind of place that makes you understand why people keep coming back up here.

Go, see it, respect it—and then keep moving. That’s kind of the rhythm up here.

Page Sources:

• U.S. Geological Survey. Observations on the Junction Between the Eastern Sandstone and the Keweenaw Series on Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior (Bulletin No. 23). 1885. View source
• Michigan Historical Commission. Geological Reports of Douglass Houghton, First State Geologist of Michigan, 1837-1845. 1928. View source
• Columbus Christopher Douglass. Find a Grave Memorial. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108020873/columbus-christopher-douglass
• History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Houghton County. Michigan GenWeb Project. https://houghton.migenweb.org/1883HistUpperPenin/pages276-279.html
• The Douglas Archives. Columbus Douglass. https://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Columbus_%20Douglass.html
• Michigan History Center. Douglass Houghton and the Copper Boom. https://michiganology.org/stories/douglass-houghton/