Copper Falls
- Height
- 29 ft
- Hike
- 1.7 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Copper Falls drops about 29 ft on Bad River in Ashland County, Wisconsin. Reaching it is a 1.7 mi hike round trip.
The falls
| Height | 29 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | 29-foot Copper Falls is the first major drop of the Bad River through steep lava canyons in the park. |
Access
| Hike | 1.7 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Parking | Copper Falls State Park lots near the concession / Doughboys Nature Trail. |
| 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. |
| Seasonal closure | Portion of Doughboys Nature Trail closed in winter when ice and snow make rock stairs slippery. |
| Wheelchair access | 0.5-mile universally recommended crushed-granite trail from access road to a Copper Falls overlook. |
| Managed by | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Copper Falls State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | CCC-era log buildings; concession area near trail start. |
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Copper Falls open?
Seasonal closure: Portion of Doughboys Nature Trail closed in winter when ice and snow make rock stairs slippery. Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
How tall is Copper Falls?
Copper Falls drops about 29 ft.
How long is the hike to Copper Falls?
It's a 1.7 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Parking: Copper Falls State Park lots near the concession / Doughboys Nature Trail.
Is there a fee at Copper 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 Copper Falls flowing?
29-foot Copper Falls is the first major drop of the Bad River through steep lava canyons in the park.
What facilities are at Copper Falls?
Restrooms and picnic sites. CCC-era log buildings; concession area near trail start.
What are the rules at Copper Falls?
Dogs are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Copper Falls is inside Copper Falls State Park .
Sources
4
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/copperfalls/geology (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterfall.heightFt / waterbodyName / flowNote, waterfall.ephemeral false)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/copperfalls/recreation/hiking (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi / rules.dogs / wheelchairAccess / seasonalClosure)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/copperfalls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours / park overview, access.amenities / parking)
- https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee rates)
More: Wisconsin waterfalls