Updated July 2026
Big Manitou Falls
At 165 feet, Big Manitou Falls on the Black River is the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin and among the highest east of the Rockies. The falls are reached by a short trail from the main picnic area to overlooks and viewing platforms in Pattison State Park.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Wisconsin DNR (Pattison State Park) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Graded lakes within 25 miles
- CAmnicon Lake · Douglas County · 4.8 mi
- CDowling Lake · Douglas County · 5.4 mi
- DDowling Lake · Douglas County · 5.6 mi
- DUpper Estuary Lake · Douglas County · 9.5 mi
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Frequently Asked Questions
Big Manitou Falls drops about 165 feet. That makes it the 108th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 84% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Big Manitou Falls Trail reaches it about 0.5 miles (out-and-back), rated easy. The nearest town is Superior. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Wisconsin DNR (Pattison State Park) for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Wisconsin waterfalls
- Amnicon Falls (Upper and Lower) · 15 ft
- Amnicon Falls (Upper Falls) · 20 ft
- Brownstone Falls · 30 ft
- Cascade Falls (Osceola) · 25 ft
- Copper Falls · 29 ft
- Dave's Falls · 10 ft
- Little Manitou Falls · 30 ft
- Long Slide Falls · 50 ft
Sources
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