Big Manitou Falls
- Height
- 165 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Big Manitou Falls drops about 165 ft on Black River in Douglas County, Wisconsin.
The falls
| Height | 165 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Highest waterfall in Wisconsin and fourth highest east of the Rocky Mountains; Twin Little Manitou Falls is 31 feet elsewhere in the park. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Pattison State Park parking near Big Manitou Falls overlooks (south of Superior on WI-35). |
| Fee | Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker required (daily WI plates $13 / out-of-state $16; 12-month WI $28 /. |
| Hours | Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Pattison State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Park has picnic areas, nature center, beach/camping elsewhere in the park. |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Big Manitou Falls open?
Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
How tall is Big Manitou Falls?
Big Manitou Falls drops about 165 ft.
How do you get to Big Manitou Falls?
The road in is paved. Parking: Pattison State Park parking near Big Manitou Falls overlooks (south of Superior on WI-35).
Do you need a reservation for Big Manitou Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Big Manitou Falls?
The fee is Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker required (daily WI plates $13 / out-of-state $16; 12-month WI $28 /.
When is Big Manitou Falls flowing?
Highest waterfall in Wisconsin and fourth highest east of the Rocky Mountains; Twin Little Manitou Falls is 31 feet elsewhere in the park.
What facilities are at Big Manitou Falls?
Restrooms and picnic sites. Park has picnic areas, nature center, beach/camping elsewhere in the park.
Nearby
Nearby
Public land
Big Manitou Falls is inside Pattison State Park .
Sources
4
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/pattison (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterfall.heightFt / flowNote / hours, waterfall.ephemeral false)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/pattison/info (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours / fee sticker required)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/BigManitouFallsGorge (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName, access.parking / manager SNA context)
More: Wisconsin waterfalls