5 Must-See Waterfalls in Wisconsin (2026)
If you only have time for five Wisconsin waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River and Lake Superior Uplands.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Wisconsin waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Daves Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it is a must-see
With 241 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Wisconsin, and it holds 4.9 stars. 9 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Horseshoe Falls and Eightfoot Falls. 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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2. Potato River Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is a must-see
With 162 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Wisconsin, and it holds 4.8 stars. 5 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Brownstone Falls and Copper Falls. 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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3. Big Manitou Falls
Superior, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is a must-see
With 156 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Wisconsin, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Powerful 165-ft waterfall plunging down the side of a wooded gorge with viewpoints." Older records also call it Manitou Falls and Gitchee Manitou. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Little Manitou Falls and Amnicon Falls. 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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4. Long Slide Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it is a must-see
With 131 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Wisconsin, and it holds 4.8 stars. Expect steep hike, gravel trail, and short walk, the topics reviewers bring up most. 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Smalley Falls and Piers Gorge Falls. 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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5. Superior Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it is a must-see
With 108 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Wisconsin, and it holds 4.7 stars. Expect steep hill, walk to falls, and upper viewpoint, the topics reviewers bring up most. 6 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Superior Falls and Saxon Falls. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Hurley, about 13 miles to the southeast.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 307 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Superior Falls (start, near Hurley)
- Potato River Falls, about 8.8 mi southwest
- Big Manitou Falls, about 76 mi west
- Long Slide Falls, about 209 mi east
- Daves Falls, about 13 mi south
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.
Explore More Wisconsin Waterfalls
See all 50 waterfalls in the Wisconsin waterfall guide, or browse by town: Niagara, Hurley, Superior.
More Wisconsin Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Wisconsin?
Daves Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 241 Google reviews. It is near Niagara in Marinette County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Wisconsin waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 307 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.