Sandstone Falls

Sandstone Falls is one of the string of celebrated waterfalls along the Black River as it nears Lake Superior through the Ottawa National Forest, in Gogebic County near Bessemer in the western Upper Peninsula. The lowest of the named Black River falls before the river reaches Black River Harbor, it spills and slides over broad, terraced ledges of sandstone, the dark water fanning over the layered rock.

Reached by a trail and stairways from the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway, Sandstone Falls is closest to Black River Harbor on Lake Superior, making it a natural last (or first) stop on the famous waterfall corridor. Its wide, stepped sandstone face and the surrounding northern forest make it a scenic and accessible cascade in one of the finest waterfall regions in the Midwest.

Sandstone Falls is reached by a trail and stairways from the Black River Scenic Byway, with overlooks of the river sliding over its broad sandstone ledges. Hiking the trails that link the string of Black River falls — part of the North Country Trail — is a highlight, along with photography. Being nearest to Black River Harbor on Lake Superior, it pairs easily with the harbor’s beach and picnic area for a full day of exploring the waterfall corridor.

Spring snowmelt sends the most water over the falls. Summer offers lush forest and full trail access to the whole string of Black River falls. Fall is spectacular, framing the cascades in brilliant color on one of the U.P.’s premier autumn waterfall drives. Winter turns the falls to ice and the byway largely inaccessible. Soft or overcast light is best for photographing the wide, terraced cascade.

Like the other Black River falls, Sandstone Falls lies in the wild, forested copper-and-timber country of the western Upper Peninsula, preserved within the Ottawa National Forest. The Black River National Forest Scenic Byway and its network of trails, stairways and overlooks were developed to give visitors access to the string of waterfalls and the historic Lake Superior harbor at the river’s mouth, where ships once called and a small harbor community grew.

Sandstone Falls takes its name from the broad, layered sandstone ledges the Black River slides over — softer, terraced rock that fans the water into a wide cascade, in contrast to the narrow gorges and hard conglomerate of the upper falls. The river has carved its course through this ancient rock over time. The dark, tannin-stained water and the stepped sandstone give the falls their distinctive, accessible character near the river’s mouth.

The deep northern forest of hemlock, maple and birch along the Black River shelters black bear, white-tailed deer, porcupine and a rich community of woodland birds, while the river corridor draws mergansers, kingfishers and bald eagles, and the nearby Lake Superior shore at Black River Harbor adds shore and water habitat. The cool, oxygenated river supports aquatic life in this wild Ottawa National Forest setting.

Sandstone Falls lies within a rich tract of northern hardwood and hemlock forest in the Ottawa National Forest, its spray zone supporting mosses, ferns and lichens on the wet sandstone. The free-flowing Black River and its corridor form a healthy riparian ecosystem within the protected forest, meeting Lake Superior at the nearby harbor. Keeping to trails, stairways and overlooks protects the fragile streamside vegetation and banks.

As the lowest of the celebrated Black River waterfalls, nearest to Black River Harbor, Sandstone Falls is a scenic and accessible part of one of the most renowned waterfall corridors in the Midwest, a highlight of the western U.P.’s reputation as a waterfall lover’s paradise. Its wide sandstone cascade draws photographers and fall-color seekers exploring the Ironwood, Bessemer and Black River Harbor area.

Sandstone Falls is reached from the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway (County Road 513) near its end at Black River Harbor, north of Bessemer in Gogebic County, with a trail and stairways to the falls and overlooks — it is the closest of the falls to the harbor. Connecting trails link it to the other Black River falls and the North Country Trail. The falls are within the Ottawa National Forest; check the U.S. Forest Service for conditions.

The U.S. Forest Service preserves Sandstone Falls and the Black River corridor within the Ottawa National Forest, managing the trails, stairways and overlooks to protect the gorge, its vegetation and the banks. Visitors help by staying on designated routes, keeping off the fragile rock and vegetation, packing out everything, and respecting the wild river setting. Protecting the corridor preserves both the scenery and visitor safety down to the Lake Superior harbor.

Stay on the trails, stairways and overlooks — the riverbanks and wet sandstone are slippery, and the water is powerful and cold, especially in high spring flows. Keep back from the edges and supervise children. The trail involves stairs; watch your footing. In winter the trails are icy and largely inaccessible. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water, and take care along the rock near the rushing water.

Sandstone Falls lies within the Ottawa National Forest; follow U.S. Forest Service rules. Stay on trails, stairways and overlooks; climbing on the falls or into the river is dangerous and discouraged. Pets should be leashed. Pack out all trash. Collecting is restricted. Camp only in designated sites. Check the U.S. Forest Service for current access, conditions and any seasonal byway closures.

Black River Harbor on Lake Superior, with its beach and picnic area, lies just downstream, and the neighboring Black River falls — Great Conglomerate, Gorge, Potawatomi and Rainbow — are all linked by trail along the byway. The towns of Bessemer and Ironwood, the Porcupine Mountains, Lake Gogebic and the western U.P.’s many other waterfalls are all within reach, making the area a waterfall-rich destination.

Pair Sandstone Falls with nearby Black River Harbor on Lake Superior and hike the connecting trails to see the whole string of Black River falls. Come in spring for volume or fall for color. Wear good shoes for the stairs, stay back from the slippery banks, and use Ironwood or Bessemer as your base for the Black River waterfall corridor.