LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Dumpy Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Easy
Trail Length
1.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Dumpy Falls
Dumpy Falls is a small waterfall in the Jumbo River area of the Ottawa National Forest in northwest Iron County, just west of Forest Highway 16 near Tepee Lake. Iron County's chamber lists it as Duppy Falls and describes an unmarked half-mile walk from a grassy clearing by State Creek. The Jumbo River runs just below the falls.
The Setting
Dumpy Falls sits at 1,519 feet within Ottawa National Forest, in the hills of Michigan.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Nfst 3610 Y (#T3610-Y), a 1.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
NFST-3610-Y #T3610-Y
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.13 miTrail Description
From a grass clearing beside State Creek, an unmarked trail crosses the creek on a small wooden bridge and continues about 0.5 miles southwest to the falls, about 1 mile round trip.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Dumpy Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in the Ottawa National Forest; Forest Service rules require pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at developed recreation sites.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Dumpy Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is typically stronger due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Ottawa National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or icy conditions, as the trail may become hazardous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Middle Branch Ontonagon River, 8.8 miles away, not on Dumpy Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
136 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 79 years of record
4.50 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge MIDDLE BRANCH ONTONAGON RIVER NEAR PAULDING, MI (14 km away).
Today
Roaring
147 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
149 cfs
9/10Sat
Roaring
142 cfs
9/10Sun
Roaring
142 cfs
9/10Mon
Roaring
140 cfs
9/10Tue
Roaring
139 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
148 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid June, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Bruce Crossing hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Dumpy Falls Frozen?
Updated about 15 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Dumpy Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 63°F to 56°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 128 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Michigan.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 120 feet of descent through Dumpy Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 1,530 feet above sea level.
Water arrives on almost flat ground and leaves through a ravine that loses about 138 feet in the first 500 feet below the falls. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,530 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 120 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From the junction of US 2 and Forest Highway 16, go north on FH 16 about 19 miles to Forest Road 3610 near Tepee Lake. Continue about 0.7 miles to the first trail road on the left (west), Forest Road 3645, and follow it 0.2 miles to a grass clearing beside State Creek.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the grass clearing beside State Creek at the end of Forest Road 3645, off the road.
Elevation
1,519 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.416890° N, -88.913750° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
The trail is unmarked, so carry a map or GPS.
Where to Stay
Two Rivers Motel and Cabins of Kenton, MI
AmericInn by Wyndham Iron River
Phelps Cabin on 26 Acres with Fire Pit!
Lakeshore Motel Ice Lake
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Kenton Ranger District
4.9 miles away · 0 sites
The Kenton Ranger District is the largest and oldest district on the Ottawa, dating back to 1931, when the forest had only one district. The recreation program includes a wide variety of dispersed activities including hunting, fishing, remote camping and hiking including two wildernesses, snowmobiling on numerous maintained trails, recreational driving with a variety of potential destinations including lakes, waterfalls and other scenic attractions. Developed recreation includes 7 campgrounds (3
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Jumbo Falls near Kenton, a few miles north by way of FH 16 and M-28.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of ticks during warmer months.
Cities near Dumpy Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Writing about Dumpy Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.