Wild Wisconsin Waterfalls

Eight waterfalls in one day!

Sometimes it's good to know a local! Since our daughter Ashley moved to Milwaukee almost six years ago, she has done a lot of exploring and was able to give us some recommendations for sightseeing on our way home. 

Brownstone Falls
The name comes from the rock around it. 

Her first selection for us was Copper Falls State Park. When we arrived at the park, we were informed that there are actually three waterfalls within the park boundaries. The first walking loop took us past Copper Falls, which I must admit, I found to be a bit underwhelming. Brownstone Falls, farther down the trail, was much more satisfying. We continued our walk and came to a stairway down the side of the gorge. Then we crossed a bridge and, naturally, climbed back up a stairway on the other side. We were now above Brownstone Falls. The rapids above the falls were nearly as pretty as the falls themselves, albeit less dramatic. 

The river above Brownstone Falls

Copper Falls from the "better" viewpoint.

We crossed another bridge over the river and started back toward the car. Just before the end of the trail, we came to the other side of Copper Falls. I think this was the side that Ashley saw, because I found the view much more picturesque. 

After finishing the first loop, we decided that since we were there, we would also do the more ambitious 2.5 mile hike to Red Granite Falls. (Top photo) We quickly gathered that this was the less-traveled part of the park - just the way we like it! There were also no fences and no signs saying that we had to stay on the trail. We very much enjoyed sitting on the rocks along the riverbank watching the falls. Eventually, Dan pointed out the time and the remaining plans for the day, so we finished the loop and set off for our next destination. 

Upper Amnicon Falls

Amnicon Falls was the second of Ashley's recommendations for us. We figured that this one wouldn't take long, because she told us that it was literally right off the parking lot. But again, there was more to the story. Just like the last park, Amnicon also features three waterfalls, as well as a historic bridge between the upper and lower falls. The walking trail follows the bank of the river along an island in the center of the river. Yes, we could have driven right to the falls, but we would have missed so much on the other side of the island. The river on that side was equally pretty and formed the third falls, Snakepit Falls. (I didn't spend a lot of time speculating on the origin of the name!) 

Horton Bridge and Lower Amnicon Falls

Our trifecta of waterfall destinations was completed at Pattison State Park. The rangers at both Copper Falls and Amnicon directed us to this park. Big Manitou Falls (left) drops 165 feet and is Wisconsin's highest waterfall. But I was more taken with Little Manitou Falls. I can't really say why. Perhaps it was, once again, fewer people or maybe it was just the time of day. Whatever the reason, this waterfall seemed to me to be the perfect closer for our day, and even for the whole trip. 

Little Manitou Falls

 Congratulations! You made it to the end of our trip! 

I hope that you enjoyed "traveling" with us, 

and that I have encouraged you to 

"Go play outside!" 

**Bonus Pictures**

We found more color in Wisconsin than we did in Michigan.
Some sunshine would have helped, though.

The underwhelming first view of Copper Falls.
Pretty, but not what I was expecting.

The river above Brownstone Falls.
The copper color in the water comes from tannin, a natural
dye resulting from tamarack and cedar trees decaying in northern bogs. 

Upper Amnicon Falls

The "other side" of the river

Yes, I did this on purpose. 

The closer