Pattison State Park
4.7(1.9K)google
4.7(18)yelp
WaterfallRiverForestHiking TrailCampingScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorWorld Record
Overview
Located south of Superior, Pattison State Park is home to Big Manitou Falls, which towers at an impressive 165 feet, making it the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the fourth highest east of the Mississippi. The park also features the beautiful Little Manitou Falls and miles of scenic hiking trails that wind through deep river valleys. It is a top destination for nature lovers looking to swim, camp, and enjoy outdoor picnics.
Practical Info
Mon6:00 AM – 11:00PM
Tue6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wed6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thu6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Fri6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sat6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sun6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended during the late spring melt (May-June) for roaring, high-volume waterfall flow, or early October for peak northern woods autumn colors. Walk the gorge trails between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM when sunlight reaches into the deep basalt canyon of the Black River, illuminating Big Manitou Falls—the highest waterfall in Wisconsin at 165 feet.
Getting ThereLocated in the far northwestern tier of the state south of the city of Superior. A car is required; drive directly south from downtown Superior on Wisconsin State Highway 35 (WI-35 S) for approximately 13 miles. The highway cuts directly through the state park, leading to paved parking lots on either side. A standard state park vehicle pass is mandatory.
Travel Tips
- The park manages a fresh-water public swimming beach on Interfalls Lake. The zone operates strictly under an unmonitored swim status with zero active lifesavers on the sand; drop-offs on the lake bed shift based on Black River currents. The lot is swept continuously by state rangers checking for physical WI DNR admission stickers.
- The 2-mile river trail connecting the upper and lower falls is heavily choked with exposed timber roots, fractured granite, and deep mud troughs. It is 100% non-accessible for wagons or strollers. Sitting near the damp lowlands of the Lake Superior basin, blackflies and deer ticks are rampant—tuck pants directly into sport socks.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Home to the 165-foot Big Manitou Falls, the premier photo vantage is the Gitchee Gumee Overlook. This trail loop is continuously coated in a hyper-slick mud slick film generated by constant waterfall thermal misting. Never extend technical tripod apparatus or camera lenses beyond the security mesh wire barriers; dropping footing is fatal.
Reviews
Positive
- Explosive scenic value! Boasts Wisconsin's highest waterfall, Big Manitou Falls, cascading 165 feet down with thunderous visual and auditory impact.
- Excellently kept infrastructure; looks are secured with sturdy handrails, and a smoothly paved accessible hard-surface path links the lot to the main falls deck.
- The raw boreal forest vibe is deeply tranquil with comfortable crowd density, outfitted with clean restrooms, ample trash bins, and nice camp loops along the Black River.
- Great entry value; one pass covers a whole vehicle for a day trip featuring a beautiful inland lake swimming beach and extensive shaded picnic lines, full of fun.
Heads up
- During hot mid-summer middays or fall foliage peaks, the small private lot near the main falls fills fast, causing minor traffic bottlenecks at the entrance road.
- The dirt trail heading to Little Manitou Falls is full of exposed roots and thick mud; lacking paved stones, it becomes highly slippery and hazardous after summer rain.
- Being near the Superior basin, mosquitoes and biting flies are an absolute nightmare; forgetting heavy-duty insect spray guarantees an immediate swarm attack when filming.
- No dining amenities or snack bars exist inside, and vending machines frequently run empty; remote location miles from town leaves secondary infrastructure bare.