State guide

Waterfalls in Wisconsin

50 waterfalls across 17 counties, ranked 16th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Lake Superior Uplands, Northeast Woods and the Menominee River, and Central Sands and the Western Valleys.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

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Photo of Daves Falls in Marinette County, Wisconsin
Pictured: Daves Falls, WI

Towns

Why Wisconsin Has So Many Waterfalls

Most of Wisconsin was smoothed by glaciers, but in the north the state rests on the old, hard rock of the Canadian Shield, and that is where its waterfalls gather. Along the Lake Superior shore, rivers flowing north drop off an escarpment of resistant basalt and sandstone on their way to the lake, producing the state's tallest and most dramatic falls. In the northeast, rivers draining toward Green Bay and Lake Michigan cross ridges of granite and other crystalline rock, creating clusters of rapids, ledges and falls. Our directory lists 50 named waterfalls in Wisconsin, ranking it 16th nationally, with Marinette and Menominee counties holding the most.

Elsewhere, Wisconsin's falls are scattered and smaller. In the central part of the state, rivers cut through Cambrian sandstone, producing ledges and narrow glens, and in the southwest the unglaciated Driftless Area adds a few more. Snowmelt and spring rain bring the biggest flows across the state, with many northern rivers carrying a tea-colored tint from the bogs and forests they drain. The combination of hard bedrock, abundant lakes and wetlands, and a snowy climate gives northern Wisconsin a landscape where falling water is a regular sight. Iron County, on the Michigan border, is a good example of this northern landscape.

Wisconsin Waterfall Regions

Lake Superior Uplands

13 waterfalls · Douglas County, Ashland County, Iron County, and Sawyer County

Wisconsin's tallest falls lie near Lake Superior. Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park, Douglas County, plunges about 165 feet down a wooded gorge on the Black River and is the highest waterfall in the state, with Little Manitou Falls upstream. Nearby Amnicon Falls State Park has upper and lower falls along the Amnicon River, with a covered footbridge crossing the stream. In Ashland County, Copper Falls tumbles through a rugged gorge in the state park of the same name, and Morgan Falls lies in the Chequamegon National Forest. Iron County holds Potato River Falls and Superior Falls, while Sawyer County adds inland falls.

Start with: Potato River Falls, Big Manitou Falls, Superior Falls, Morgan Falls, Little Manitou Falls

Northeast Woods and the Menominee River

28 waterfalls · Marinette County, Menominee County, Shawano County, Florence County, Oneida County, and Lincoln County

Marinette County calls itself the waterfall capital of Wisconsin, and with 13 listed falls it leads the state. Rivers such as the Pike and Peshtigo cross bands of hard rock, producing falls like Daves Falls, Long Slide Falls, Smalley Falls, Strong Falls and Horseshoe Falls, many in county parks. In neighboring Menominee County, the Wolf River flows through the Menominee Indian Reservation over a series of falls and rapids. Shawano, Florence, Oneida and Lincoln counties add more river falls, often surrounded by northern hardwood and pine forest.

Start with: Daves Falls, Long Slide Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Smalley Falls, Strong Falls

Central Sands and the Western Valleys

9 waterfalls · Jackson County, Eau Claire County, Wood County, Waupaca County, Sauk County, St. Croix County, and Manitowoc County

Across central and western Wisconsin, falls tend to be small ledges where rivers cut through sandstone. Jackson County, around Black River Falls, and Eau Claire County each have two listed falls, and Wood and Waupaca counties have one each. Sauk County lies near the Baraboo Hills and the edge of the Driftless Area, and St. Croix County sits along the St. Croix River on the Minnesota border. Manitowoc County, near Lake Michigan, adds an isolated fall. These sites are often in local parks and are easy to combine with other outings.

Start with: Big Falls, Apple River Falls, Cato Falls, Skillet Falls, Hamilton Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in Wisconsin

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Daves Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.9 (241 reviews)

    Daves Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 19 miles south of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Wausaukee North topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (241 Google reviews)
    Address
    Amberg, WI 54102
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (19 mi)
    USGS topo
    Wausaukee North quad
    View details Directions

  2. Big Manitou Falls

    Superior, WI · Douglas County
    4.8 (156 reviews)

    Powerful 165-ft waterfall plunging down the side of a wooded gorge with viewpoints.

    Rating
    4.8 (156 Google reviews)
    Address
    Superior, WI 54880
    Nearest town
    Superior, WI (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sunnyside quad
    View details Directions

  3. Potato River Falls

    Hurley, WI · Iron County
    4.8 (162 reviews)

    Potato River Falls is a waterfall in Iron County, Wisconsin, about 16 miles west of Hurley. It appears on the USGS Gurney topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (162 Google reviews)
    Address
    Gurney, WI 54559
    Nearest town
    Hurley, WI (16 mi)
    USGS topo
    Gurney quad
    View details Directions

  4. Long Slide Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.8 (131 reviews)

    Long Slide Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 6.8 miles southeast of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Pembine topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (131 Google reviews)
    Address
    Niagara, WI 54151
    Known for
    steep hike, gravel trail, short walk, rugged trail, easy hike
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (6.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pembine quad
    View details Directions

  5. Superior Falls

    Hurley, WI · Iron County
    4.7 (108 reviews)

    Superior Falls is a waterfall in Iron County, Wisconsin, about 13 miles northwest of Hurley.

    Rating
    4.7 (108 Google reviews)
    Address
    Saxon, WI 54559
    Known for
    steep hill, walk to falls, upper viewpoint, lake view, lookout
    Nearest town
    Hurley, WI (13 mi)
    View details Directions

  6. Little Manitou Falls

    Superior, WI · Douglas County
    4.9 (69 reviews)

    Little Manitou Falls is a waterfall in Douglas County, Wisconsin, about 14 miles south of Superior. It appears on the USGS Borea topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (69 Google reviews)
    Address
    Superior, WI 54836
    Nearest town
    Superior, WI (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Borea quad
    View details Directions

  7. Horseshoe Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.8 (80 reviews)

    Horseshoe Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 17 miles southwest of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Twelvefoot Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (80 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dunbar, WI 54119
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Twelvefoot Falls quad
    View details Directions

  8. Morgan Falls

    Ashland, WI · Ashland County
    4.7 (79 reviews)

    Morgan Falls is a waterfall in Ashland County, Wisconsin, about 17 miles south of Ashland. It appears on the USGS Marengo Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (79 Google reviews)
    Address
    Marengo, WI 54855
    Known for
    hike to falls, pit toilets, lovely falls, easy hike, rock formations
    Nearest town
    Ashland, WI (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Marengo Lake quad
    View details Directions

  9. Amnicon Falls

    Lake Nebagamon, WI · Douglas County
    4.8 (67 reviews)

    Upper & lower falls in forest state park with trails, camping & local deer, raccoons & coyotes.

    Rating
    4.8 (67 Google reviews)
    Address
    Amnicon, WI 54874
    Nearest town
    Lake Nebagamon, WI (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    South Range quad
    View details Directions

  10. Copper Falls

    Ashland, WI · Ashland County
    4.6 (63 reviews)

    Tiered cascade in a rugged gorge with wooded trails, bridges & lookout spots, plus camping nearby.

    Rating
    4.6 (63 Google reviews)
    Address
    Morse, WI 54546
    Nearest town
    Ashland, WI (19 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mellen quad
    View details Directions

  11. Smalley Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.6 (62 reviews)

    Smalley Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 5.8 miles southeast of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Pembine topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (62 Google reviews)
    Address
    Niagara, WI 54156
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (5.8 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pembine quad
    View details Directions

  12. Strong Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.8 (52 reviews)

    Strong Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 24 miles southwest of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Coleman Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (52 Google reviews)
    Address
    Silver Cliff, WI 54114
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (24 mi)
    USGS topo
    Coleman Lake quad
    View details Directions

  13. Big Smoky Falls

    Keshena, WI · Menominee County
    4.8 (51 reviews)

    Big Smoky Falls is a waterfall in Menominee County, Wisconsin, about 9.2 miles north of Keshena. It appears on the USGS Markton topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (51 Google reviews)
    Address
    Menominee, WI 54135
    Nearest town
    Keshena, WI (9.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Markton quad
    View details Directions

  14. Big Falls

    Fall Creek, WI · Eau Claire County
    4.8 (42 reviews)

    Big Falls is a waterfall in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, about 4.0 miles north of Fall Creek. It appears on the USGS Fall Creek topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (42 Google reviews)
    Address
    Seymour, WI 54703
    Known for
    Big Falls, sand beaches, short hike, trails, rocks
    Nearest town
    Fall Creek, WI (4.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Fall Creek quad
    View details Directions

  15. Gilmer Falls

    Keshena, WI · Shawano County
    4.6 (40 reviews)

    Gilmer Falls is a waterfall in Shawano County, Wisconsin, about 5.2 miles southwest of Keshena. It appears on the USGS Thornton topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (40 Google reviews)
    Address
    Richmond, WI 54166
    Known for
    relaxing atmosphere, cleanliness, hidden gem, scenery, location
    Nearest town
    Keshena, WI (5.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Thornton quad
    View details Directions

  16. Grandfather Falls

    Merrill, WI · Lincoln County
    4.4 (46 reviews)

    Grandfather Falls is a waterfall in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, about 10.0 miles northwest of Merrill. It appears on the USGS Grandfather Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (46 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rock Falls, WI 54452
    Known for
    area by the falls, ice age trail, narrow trail, hydroelectric plant, large rocks and roots
    Nearest town
    Merrill, WI (10.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Grandfather Falls quad
    View details Directions

  17. Spring Camp Falls

    Hurley, WI · Iron County
    4.3 (33 reviews)

    Spring Camp Falls is a waterfall in Iron County, Wisconsin, about 7.5 miles south of Hurley. It appears on the USGS Pine Lake topographic map.

    Rating
    4.3 (33 Google reviews)
    Address
    Pence, WI 54534
    Nearest town
    Hurley, WI (7.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pine Lake quad
    View details Directions

  18. Eighteenfoot Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    4.6 (28 reviews)

    Eighteenfoot Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 14 miles southwest of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Twelvefoot Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (28 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dunbar, WI 54119
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Twelvefoot Falls quad
    View details Directions

  19. Brownstone Falls

    Ashland, WI · Ashland County
    4.9 (14 reviews)

    Brownstone Falls is a waterfall in Ashland County, Wisconsin, about 19 miles southeast of Ashland. It appears on the USGS High Bridge topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (14 Google reviews)
    Address
    Morse, WI 54846
    Nearest town
    Ashland, WI (19 mi)
    USGS topo
    High Bridge quad
    View details Directions

  20. Apple River Falls

    Somerset, WI · St. Croix County
    3.9 (28 reviews)

    Apple River Falls is a waterfall in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, about 3.0 miles northwest of Somerset. It appears on the USGS Somerset North topographic map.

    Rating
    3.9 (28 Google reviews)
    Address
    Somerset, WI 54025
    Nearest town
    Somerset, WI (3.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Somerset North quad
    View details Directions

  21. Hamilton Falls

    Augusta, WI · Eau Claire County
    4.7 (15 reviews)

    Hamilton Falls is a waterfall in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, about 11 miles northeast of Augusta. It appears on the USGS Simes Creek topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (15 Google reviews)
    Address
    Wilson, WI 54768
    Nearest town
    Augusta, WI (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Simes Creek quad
    View details Directions

  22. Little Falls

    Marion, WI · Waupaca County
    4.6 (14 reviews)

    Little Falls is a waterfall in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, about 7.0 miles southwest of Marion. It appears on the USGS Big Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (14 Google reviews)
    Address
    Little Falls, WI 54950
    Nearest town
    Marion, WI (7.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Big Falls quad
    View details Directions

  23. Little Falls

    Phillips, WI · Sawyer County
    4.8 (12 reviews)

    Little Falls is a waterfall in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, about 17 miles west of Phillips. It appears on the USGS Kennan NW topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (12 Google reviews)
    Address
    Winter, WI 54530
    Nearest town
    Phillips, WI (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Kennan NW quad
    View details Directions

  24. Cato Falls

    Reedsville, WI · Manitowoc County
    3.8 (20 reviews)

    Cato Falls is a waterfall in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, about 5.3 miles southeast of Reedsville. It appears on the USGS Valders topographic map.

    Rating
    3.8 (20 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cato, WI 54230
    Known for
    private property, bathrooms, hike, property, falls
    Nearest town
    Reedsville, WI (5.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valders quad
    View details Directions

  25. Twelvefoot Falls

    Niagara, WI · Marinette County
    5.0 (9 reviews)

    Twelvefoot Falls is a waterfall in Marinette County, Wisconsin, about 15 miles southwest of Niagara. It appears on the USGS Twelvefoot Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dunbar, WI 54119
    Nearest town
    Niagara, WI (15 mi)
    USGS topo
    Twelvefoot Falls quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Wisconsin

  1. Daves Falls 4.9 from 241 reviews · Niagara
  2. Little Manitou Falls 4.9 from 69 reviews · Superior
  3. Potato River Falls 4.8 from 162 reviews · Hurley
  4. Big Manitou Falls 4.8 from 156 reviews · Superior
  5. Long Slide Falls 4.8 from 131 reviews · Niagara

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 2 Wisconsin waterfalls mention swimming, including Big Falls and Gilmer Falls.
  • Reviews of 4 Wisconsin waterfalls mention easy access, including Long Slide Falls, Superior Falls, and Morgan Falls.

Wisconsin Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Wisconsin are about 241 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Little Falls (2) and Little Bull Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

3 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Big Manitou Falls (also Manitou Falls) and Little Manitou Falls (also Upper Falls).

From the USGS record for Breakwater Falls: "USGS Professional Paper 184: PRE-CAMBRIAN ROCKS OF THE LAKE SUPERIOR REGION (C. K. LEITH, RICHARD J. LUND, AND ANDREW LEITH), pg. 4"

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Wisconsin

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Wisconsin

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Wisconsin Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Marinette1326%Daves Falls
Menominee918%Big Smoky Falls
Douglas48%Big Manitou Falls
Ashland36%Morgan Falls
Iron36%Potato River Falls
Sawyer36%Pipestone Falls
Shawano36%Gilmer Falls
Eau Claire24%Big Falls
Jackson24%Ni-ho-kha-wa-ne-ey-ja
Florence12%Breakwater Falls
Lincoln12%Grandfather Falls
Manitowoc12%Cato Falls
Oneida12%Rainbow Rapids
Sauk12%Skillet Falls
St. Croix12%Apple River Falls
Waupaca12%Little Falls
Wood12%Little Bull Falls

All Wisconsin Waterfalls A to Z

Wisconsin Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Wisconsin?

Our directory lists 50 waterfalls in Wisconsin (48 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 2 added from Google Maps listings), 16th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 1.9% of the national total. 52% of them are in just three counties: Marinette, Menominee, and Douglas.

What is the most visited waterfall in Wisconsin?

By Google review count, Daves Falls in Marinette County leads with 241 reviews and a 4.9 rating. Potato River Falls is next.

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.

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.

Which Wisconsin town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Hurley has 48 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Wisconsin directory.