Big Smoky Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Big Smoky Falls is a waterfall in Menominee County, Wisconsin, about 9.2 miles north of Keshena. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Menominee County, WI

Nearest town

Keshena (9.2 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 51 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

45.01693, -88.63677

USGS topo

Markton quad

Getting there

Big Smoky Falls sits about 9.2 miles north of Keshena in Menominee County. Google lists the address as Menominee, WI 54135.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Big Smoky Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Big Smoky Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Wisconsin. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 45.01693, -88.63677 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. 51 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Big Smoky Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 51 Google reviews, and 84% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Menominee County. Visitors have shared 197 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Big Smoky Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on August 29, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Markton 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Dalles Creek (stream, 1.4 mi) and The Dalles (rapids, 1.5 mi).

Northeast Woods and the Menominee River. 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.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Big Smoky Falls about 9.2 miles north of Keshena is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 51 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Big Smoky Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.