9 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Wisconsin (2026 Updated)
These 9 Wisconsin waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Long Slide Falls, Amnicon Falls, and Big Falls. The list spans the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River, Lake Superior Uplands, and Central Sands and the Western Valleys.
How We Picked
We started with the 9 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Long Slide Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "short walk" and "easy hike" and "steep hike" and "climbing". It is rated 4.8 stars by 131 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Smalley Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Niagara, about 6.8 miles to the northwest.
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2. Amnicon Falls
Lake Nebagamon, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why hike it
On the trail: "Upper & lower falls in forest state park with trails, camping & local deer, raccoons & coyotes." It is rated 4.8 stars by 67 Google reviewers. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Lake Nebagamon, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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3. Big Falls
Fall Creek, WI · Eau Claire County · Central Sands and the Western Valleys
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "short hike", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.8 stars by 42 Google reviewers. It is one of 9 named falls in the Central Sands and the Western Valleys region. The nearest town is Fall Creek, about 4.0 miles to the south.
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4. Superior Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy walk" and "steep hill". It is rated 4.7 stars by 108 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Superior Falls and Saxon Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Hurley, about 13 miles to the southeast.
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5. Morgan Falls
Ashland, WI · Ashland County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy hike", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.7 stars by 79 Google reviewers. Saint Peters Dome, a summit 1.0 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Ashland, about 17 miles to the north.
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6. Gilmer Falls
Keshena, WI · Shawano County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why hike it
It is rated 4.6 stars by 40 Google reviewers. 2 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Little Bull Falls and Freeman Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Keshena, about 5.2 miles to the northeast.
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7. Copper Falls
Ashland, WI · Ashland County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why hike it
On the trail: "Tiered cascade in a rugged gorge with wooded trails, bridges & lookout spots, plus camping nearby." It is rated 4.6 stars by 63 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Brownstone Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Ashland, about 19 miles to the northwest.
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8. Grandfather Falls
Merrill, WI · Lincoln County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why hike it
Expect effort: reviewers mention "rocky walk" and "rock climbing". It is rated 4.4 stars by 46 Google reviewers. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Merrill, about 10.0 miles to the southeast.
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9. Pipestone Falls
Little Round Lake, WI · Sawyer County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why hike it
It is rated 3.8 stars by 19 Google reviewers. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Little Round Lake, about 9.9 miles to the northwest.
When to Visit Wisconsin's Waterfalls
Spring is peak season for Wisconsin waterfalls. Snowmelt in April and May, along with spring rain, sends the strongest flows over the falls, especially in the north, where melt can continue into May. Black flies and mosquitoes become thick in the northern woods by late May and June. Summer flows are lower but usually steady, and the state parks along Lake Superior and in the northeast are busiest from late June through August. Fall color typically peaks in the north in late September to early October and moves south through mid-October; autumn rains can restore flow. Winter turns many falls into ice formations, and some state parks maintain winter trails, but heavy snow, cold and short days require preparation.
Before You Go
Wisconsin's best-known falls are in state parks such as Pattison, Amnicon Falls and Copper Falls, which require a state park vehicle admission sticker, and in county parks, notably in Marinette County. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest manages others. Falls in Menominee County are on the Menominee Indian Reservation, where access rules are set by the Menominee Nation, so check before visiting. Some northern sites are reached by gravel roads, and cell coverage can be patchy. Hazards include slippery rock, steep gorges with unfenced edges, cold water in spring, and powerful currents during high flow. Ticks are common in summer woods, and winter ice near falls can be deceptive.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Wisconsin Waterfalls
See all 50 waterfalls in the Wisconsin waterfall guide, or browse by town: Niagara, Lake Nebagamon, Fall Creek, Hurley, Ashland, Keshena, Merrill, Little Round Lake.
More Wisconsin Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Wisconsin?
Long Slide Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 131 Google reviews. It is near Niagara in Marinette County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 9 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Wisconsin?
Our directory lists 50 named waterfalls in Wisconsin. See them all, sorted by town, in the Wisconsin waterfall guide.
What is the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin?
Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park, Douglas County, is the tallest in the state at about 165 feet. It is near Superior, close to Lake Superior.