There’s nothing more stunning than watching a giant waterfall—the white, frothy cascade, the thunderous roar, and feeling the brisk breeze of droplets on your skin. This is why people around the world travel to see the breathtaking views of Niagara Falls.
However, you don’t have to journey all the way to New York or Canada to experience the magic of this waterfall.
The Midwest is home to many gorgeous spectacles, and while they may seem small compared to Niagara, there’s one big and wild waterfall that will take your breath away—Big Manitou Falls.
Big Manitou Falls is the largest waterfall in Wisconsin, reaching an impressive height of 165 feet—only two feet shorter than Niagara Falls.
Why Big Manitou Falls is considered the Niagara Falls of the Midwest
Big Manitou Falls is located in Pattison State Park, situated in Douglas County, Wisconsin, approximately 13 miles south of Superior.
To visit Big Manitou Falls, you’ll need a Wisconsin state park pass to enter the park, or a one-day entrance ticket costs $13 for vehicles with Wisconsin license plates and $16 for out-of-state plates.
There are two main trails to view the falls: a half-mile trail or the 1.5-mile Big Manitou Falls River Trail. At 165 feet, it is Wisconsin’s highest waterfall and the fourth-highest waterfall east of the Rockies.
Big Manitou Falls hiking trails
Big Manitou Falls overlooks
There is a pedestrian tunnel that connects the park’s main picnic area to short trails leading to multiple viewpoints of Big Manitou Falls from both sides of the river.
Big Manitou Falls River Trail
This moderately steep, wooded trail descends 0.5 miles to the Black River, located 0.25 miles downstream from Big Manitou Falls. At the river, the nearby cliffs provide an impressive view of the Douglas Fault.
How far is Big Manitou Falls from Chicago?
It’s quite the journey from Chicago.
By car, it’s around a 7-hour drive via I-90 W and US-53 N.
However, when you get there and take in the scenery, you’ll see that it’s worth it!