Wisconsin's highest waterfall at 165 feet, the fourth-highest east of the Rockies, reached by an easy loop in Pattison State Park.
Big Manitou Falls drops about 165 feet on the Black River, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and, by most rankings, the fourth-highest east of the Rocky Mountains. It sits inside Pattison State Park south of Superior, named Gitchee Manitou — "Great Spirit" — by Ojibwe people who lived near the thundering falls long before the park was established in 1920.
The main viewpoint is an easy loop of well under a mile from the main parking area, reaching the overlook in just minutes; a separate wheelchair-accessible 0.5-mile path begins at the picnic area. For a longer outing, the park's river trail continues toward the smaller Little Manitou Falls a few miles distant. Wisconsin's standard state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
Know before you go
Pattison State Park, Douglas County, WI, about 13 miles south of Superior.
Year-round; flow is strongest in spring.
Short loop under a mile to the main overlook; separate 0.5-mile accessible path from the picnic area.
Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker required.
A dedicated 0.5-mile wheelchair-accessible trail reaches a viewing area.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
