15 Best Waterfalls in Wisconsin (2026 Updated)
Of the 50 named waterfalls in Wisconsin, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Daves Falls, Little Manitou Falls, and Potato River 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 ranked the 40 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. 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 made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Wisconsin, holding 4.9 stars across 241 Google reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. 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. Little Manitou Falls
Superior, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 69 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Upper Falls and Little Falls. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. Big Manitou Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Superior, about 14 miles to the north.
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3. Potato River Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 162 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. 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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4. Big Manitou Falls
Superior, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 156 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Powerful 165-ft waterfall plunging down the side of a wooded gorge with viewpoints." Older records also call it Manitou Falls and Gitchee Manitou. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. Little Manitou Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Superior, about 13 miles to the north.
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5. Long Slide Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 131 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention steep hike, gravel trail, short walk, and rugged trail. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. Smalley Falls is only 1.0 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Niagara, about 6.8 miles to the northwest.
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6. Horseshoe Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 80 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. Eightfoot Falls is only 2.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Niagara, about 17 miles to the northeast.
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7. Amnicon Falls
Lake Nebagamon, WI · Douglas County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 67 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up 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. Strong Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 52 reviews. 79% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. The nearest town is Niagara, about 24 miles to the northeast.
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9. Big Smoky Falls
Keshena, WI · Menominee County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 51 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. Ducknest Falls is only 2.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Keshena, about 9.2 miles to the south.
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10. Big Falls
Fall Creek, WI · Eau Claire County · Central Sands and the Western Valleys
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 42 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention Big Falls, sand beaches, short hike, and trails. 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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11. Twelvefoot Falls
Niagara, WI · Marinette County · Northeast Woods and the Menominee River
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 9 reviews. It is one of 28 named falls in the Northeast Woods and the Menominee River region. Eightfoot Falls is only 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Niagara, about 15 miles to the northeast.
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12. Brownstone Falls
Ashland, WI · Ashland County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 14 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. Copper Falls is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Ashland, about 19 miles to the northwest.
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13. Superior Falls
Hurley, WI · Iron County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 108 reviews. 78% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention steep hill, walk to falls, upper viewpoint, and lake view. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. Superior Falls is only under 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Hurley, about 13 miles to the southeast.
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14. Little Falls
Phillips, WI · Sawyer County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 12 reviews. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Phillips, about 17 miles to the east.
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15. Morgan Falls
Ashland, WI · Ashland County · Lake Superior Uplands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 79 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention hike to falls, pit toilets, lovely falls, and easy hike. It is one of 13 named falls in the Lake Superior Uplands region. The nearest town is Ashland, about 17 miles to the north.
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, Superior, Hurley, Lake Nebagamon, Keshena, Fall Creek, Ashland, Phillips.
More Wisconsin Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 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?
We ranked the 40 publicly accessible Wisconsin waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
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.