Ultimate Northern Wisconsin Waterfall Road Trip
March 15, 2024
Looking to see the best waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin? Here is the best Wisconsin Waterfall Road Trip through the Northwoods!
Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy! I’m a paddling guide and guidebook writer committed to exploring the beautiful American Midwest. I’ve worked as a guide for almost six years now, and done three seasons as a guide in the nearby Apostle Islands, spending weekends exploring the waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin. I’m happy to show you around!
Note: this article uses affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
Best Waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin:
From big falls to small, here are the best waterfalls in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and how to have the perfect waterfall road trip!
In Northern Wisconsin, you’re on the land of the Anishinaabe Indigenous Nation! Keep in mind while recreating that all trails and waterfalls are a potential cultural or historic site with archeological and current cultural importance. Recreate with care!
WISCONSIN WATERFALL ROAD TRIP DAY ONE: Ashland and the Northwoods waterfalls
Start your weekend trip in Ashland, Wisconsin! All of these waterfalls are within about a one-hour drive of Ashland, and relatively short hikes.
Where to stay near Ashland, Wisconsin:
For the best lodging in Ashland check out the Best Western hotel Chequamegon for lake views, and a beautiful restaurant and upscale vibe.
1) Potato River Falls
Located just a thirty minute drive from Ashland, Wisconsin, Potato River Falls features two sets of waterfalls, an upper and a lower falls. The parking area is small with a pit toilet, and both the trails to the upper and lower falls involve stairs and boardwalk sections.
In total, there’s about one mile of hiking between the two waterfalls here. It is extremely important to stay on trails in this area for your own safety! The clay banks are not stable, and the fall is as many as 90 ft in places. Keep children close at hand.
2) Copper Fall State Park
Next stop on your quest to see the best waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin is Copper Falls State park! Here at Copper Falls, tackle the 1.8 mile Doughboy Trail!
Portions of this trail are ADA accessible, but note that pets are not allowed on the trail. This is a good trail to tackle with children as the trail is well-fenced off.
Here, you can seen multiple waterfalls and beautiful canyons! This is one of my favorite short hiking trails in Wisconsin. A state park pass is required in Wisconsin State Parks. Pick up your pass online, or purchase upon entry.
3) Morgan Falls
If you’re looking for one of the most unique waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin, check out Morgan Falls. This 1.2 mile hike is mostly flat and begins at a large US Forest Service, paved parking lot with pit toilets available. There is a $5 daily fee to park.
WISCONSIN WATERFALL ROAD TRIP DAY TWO: the Bayfield Peninsula
After visiting all the best waterfalls near Ashland, it’s time to head north into the Bayfield Peninsula. Here, you’ll find smaller waterfalls but stunning scenery along the largest lake in the world by surface area (Lake Superior!)
Where to stay near Bayfield:
For a unique stay in a small, historic renovated hotel meets luxury hostel, check out the St. James Social in downtown Bayfield. Convenient location, rooftop lounge, and sauna and cold plunge on property.
Alternately, check out the Wild Rice Retreat (all-inclusive) or Old Rittenhouse Inn (extremely popular)
4) Houghton Falls State Natural Area
Houghton Falls is a beautiful, well maintained and travelled, walk through an ancient sandstone gorge, past a small waterfall, out to small cliffs on Lake Superior.
This trailhead is gated and the gate is open only from 6am-6pm; time your hike accordingly! Note that there is limited parking at the trailhead, and street parking is not allowed and strictly enforced. If the parking lot is full, grab a coffee in Washburn and come back later! Don’t risk a pricey ticket!
Did you know? Parking in the side of the road at trailheads instead of in designated parking spots can contribute to erosion and harm local plant life. Leave No Trace best practice is to have a plan B! When the parking lot at your planned hike is full, head to hiking trail B instead!
5) Lost Creek Falls
Lost Creek Falls is a relatively flat, 2-mile hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall near Cornucopia, Wisconsin. This hike can easily be rolled in with a day trip to the Meyers Beach Lakeshore trail (see below!). Lost Creek Falls is one of the best and most dynamic waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin.
This trail is moderately trafficked in the summer months, and heavily trafficked on afternoons in the weekends.
Looking for more on the Apostle Islands and Bayfield? Here 30 Things to do in Bayfield, WI!
6) Meyers Beach Lakeshore Trail
Looking for some of the coolest waterfalls in Wisconsin? The Meyers Beach Lakeshore trail has several seasonal waterfalls off cliffs directly into Lake Superior! The catch? You’ll only see these little falls after a heavy rainstorm.
This trail is an out and back at about 4 miles round trip to the first sea caves, but you can hike much farther! Keep children close at hand and away from cliffs. This trail has a number of hills and some terrain that might be challenge for small children or infrequent hikers.
A $5 parking fee is required at this trailhead.
WISCONSIN WATERFALL ROAD TRIP DAY TWO: Heading back south!
On your last day, it’s time to start headed back south! Hit up these two waterfalls before headed home:
7) Amnicon Falls State Park
Amnicon Falls State Park is about a one-hours drive from Duluth, Minnesota. Amnicon has a beautiful picnic area, several waterfalls and short hiking trails, and the iconic covered bridge! This is a great stop for families.
Personally, Amnicon Falls is my favorite waterfall. The whole area looks like it was straight out of a fairytale.
8) Pattison State Park
For one of the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin, check out Pattison State Park’s Big Manitou Falls at 165-ft tall!
Big Manitou Falls has several viewpoints and is a short walk from the nearby parking lot. Portions of this trail are considered ADA accessible. Also worth the stop is Little Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park!
Wisconsin Waterfalls in the Winter:
All of these waterfalls are also accessible in the winter either via hiking or snowshoeing! Well packed trails require ice spikes, while snowshoes are a better fit for fresh snow after a blizzard. Most of these roads are plowed, and cross country skiing is available at many of the State Parks.
Plan a winter trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin!
Can I see all the best Northern Wisconsin Waterfalls in one weekend?
With careful planning, you can definitely see all the best Northern Wisconsin Waterfalls in one weekend trip! I recommend working this list in reverse, and planning on getting home late on Sunday. The longest hike on the list is the Meyers Beach Lakeshore trail at around four miles; everything else can be done in about an hour and a half.
I recommend starting with Pattison and Amnicon and basecamping either in Bayfield or Ashland for two nights. From here, spend Saturday on the Bayfield Peninsula doing day two of this itinerary, and Sunday hitting day one, the Ashland/Northwoods waterfalls section.
What to pack for hiking in the Wisconsin Northwoods:
Wisconsin’s Northwoods can be hot and buggy during the day in the summer and cooler at night! Here’s what to pack for your hiking trip!
- 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
- A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets
- A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
- Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops.
- Study hiking boots. I like my Bridger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In rugged areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
- hiking sandals
- Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
- A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft.
- If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
- A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag.
- A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
Best Places to eat in Northern Wisconsin:
Northern Wisconsin is fairly remote, but there are definitely some true hidden gems when it comes to food! Here are a few of my favorites:
The Fat Radish, Washburn: Small town farm-to-table, best food in town easily.
Black Cat Coffee House, Ashland: Classic coffee house with great drinks, atmosphere, and incredible food
Cafe Coco, Washburn: Breakfast, Lunch, coffee, baked goods, fresh bread.
The Copper Trout, Bayfield: Excellent fish in Bayfield
Copper Crow Distillery: Indigenous-owned distillery with cocktails in the woods
St. James Social, Bayfield: rotating menu, great pizza night.
Love reading about the best waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin? Plan your next Upper Midwest trip:
- Check out the 16 Best Hiking Trails near Duluth, Minnesota
- Looking to visit America’s cutest small town? Check out all the best things to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota!
- Always wanted to canoe the Boundary Waters, but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered!
- For the ultimate guide to solo car camping, including route planning, no-build camping set ups, and more, click here 🙂