10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Wisconsin (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Wisconsin's 50 named waterfalls, starting with Superior Falls. The list spans the Lake Superior Uplands, Northeast Woods and the Menominee River, and Central Sands and the Western Valleys.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 39 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Superior Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 449 photos of it on Google, about 4.2 for every review. 78% of its 108 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its upper viewpoint, lake view, and beautiful area. 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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2. Big Manitou Falls
Superior, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 476 photos of it on Google, about 3.1 for every review. 85% of its 156 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Powerful 165-ft waterfall plunging down the side of a wooded gorge with viewpoints." The setting includes Interfalls Lake (lake, 0.2 mi) and Rocky Gorge (valley, 0.3 mi). It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Superior, about 13 miles to the north.
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3. Morgan Falls
Ashland, WI · Ashland County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 315 photos of it on Google, about 4.0 for every review. 85% of its 79 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its view. The setting includes Saint Peters Dome (summit, 1.0 mi) and Long Lake (lake, 1.0 mi). 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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4. Daves Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 910 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 87% of its 241 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Niagara, about 19 miles to the north.
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5. Big Falls
Fall Creek, WI · Eau Claire County · Central Sands and the Western Valleys
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 77 photos of it on Google. 86% of its 42 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Reviewers single out its scenery and view. 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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6. Long Slide Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 428 photos of it on Google, about 3.3 for every review. 85% of its 131 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Lake Chapman (lake, 1.8 mi) and Timms Lake (lake, 2.0 mi). 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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7. Amnicon Falls
Lake Nebagamon, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 287 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 90% of its 67 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Upper & lower falls in forest state park with trails, camping & local deer, raccoons & coyotes." 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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8. Potato River Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 430 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 82% of its 162 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Hurley, about 16 miles to the east.
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9. Little Manitou Falls
Superior, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 189 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 93% of its 69 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Interfalls Lake (lake, 0.8 mi) and Rocky Gorge (valley, 1.3 mi). It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Superior, about 14 miles to the north.
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10. Horseshoe Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 238 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 88% of its 80 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Phillips Lake (lake, 1.2 mi) and Elm Flats Lake (lake, 2.0 mi). It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Niagara, about 17 miles to the northeast.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Wisconsin Waterfalls
See all 50 waterfalls in the Wisconsin waterfall guide, or browse by town: Hurley, Superior, Ashland, Niagara, Fall Creek, Lake Nebagamon.
More Wisconsin Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Wisconsin?
Superior Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 108 Google reviews. It is near Hurley in Iron County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 39 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Why does Marinette County have so many waterfalls?
Several rivers in Marinette County, including the Pike and Peshtigo, cross bands of hard bedrock on their way to Green Bay, creating many ledges and falls. The county has 13 listed falls, more than any other in Wisconsin.