Onion Falls

small sandstone drop above a deep sandstone gorge

A few small drops line Onion Creek before it flows into the Ontonagon River. The tallest one, Onion Falls, sits near the top of the sandstone gorge, an even slide that stretches across the wide and shallow river before it turns sharply below a hard outcropping. Smaller drops continue further downstream, along the impressive and immature sandstone gorge, all the way to the creek’s confluence with the Ontonagon.

Directions

From Kenton head north on NF-16 for 4.5 miles before turning left on Skogland Road. Take this west for 2.9 miles and turn right onto Forest Road 1100. After 2 miles turn back left on 1130, parking at an open grassy field on the left at 1.1 miles.

Follow the grassy field downhill, veering to the right end (southwest). There should be a small track connecting this meadow with another one to the south. Once on the second meadow head to the far southwest corner before cutting down the hill to Onion Creek. Follow Onion Creek downstream to view the largest drop and continue all the way to Ontonagon River to view a cluttered gorge and smaller slides.

Photographs

Visits

Seen in April, July and August.

April 6, 2009 flow increasing through the day with the meltwater
Upstream of the falls was nothing but rapids and swamp, but downstream was unknown territory, and the Ontonagon River was a short mile away. Deep snow around the tiny creek, dark orange rock below, and clear ice hanging over sections made for a fairly pretty scene; it reminded me a lot of Quincy Falls way up in the Keweenaw, although the gorge that Onion Creek cuts is much deeper and less stable. There was no drop on the river, nor had there been anything sizable along the creek, so the true waterfall was waiting for us back upstream, and I was surprised on the return to see an increased amount of flow over it.
August 3, 2008
The waterfall we found was disappointing. A sloped ledge maybe two feet high with water sliding down evenly across it, barely breaking into foam near the bottom, stretched across the full length of the river. I've seen smaller named drops but this gorge had gotten my hopes up.
July 14, 2008
I knew I should park when the road curves to the right, but could not remember how much of a jag I should be looking for, and ended up parking on the side of the road far too early. When I came onto the water that hope vanished. The creek was shallow and muddy, winding lazily back and forth within a wide muddy valley. There were no rocks, no steepening walls downstream. This was a muddy creek, not one that would hold any sort of waterfall.