Waterfalls in Wisconsin: 50 Photo Spots, Light & Night Sky Guide

Name	County	Elevation	Nearest town	Sky
Big Manitou Falls	Douglas County	292 m	Superior	3
Grandfather Falls	Lincoln County	401 m	Merrill	2
Dave's Falls	Marinette County	—	Niagara	2
Cascade Falls (Osceola)	Saint Croix County	—	New Richmond	4
Quiver Falls	Marinette County	238 m	Norway	2
Amnicon Falls	Douglas County	226 m	Lake Nebagamon	3
Apple River Falls	Saint Croix County	226 m	Somerset	5
Beartrap Falls	Menominee County	265 m	Keshena	2
Bellile Falls	Sawyer County	365 m	Little Round Lake	2
Big Eddy Falls	Menominee County	265 m	Keshena	2
Big Falls	Eau Claire County	250 m	Fall Creek	4
Big Quinnesec Falls (historical)	Marinette County	306 m	Kingsford	5
Big Smoky Falls	Menominee County	275 m	Keshena	2
Brownstone Falls	Ashland County	296 m	Ashland	1
Bull Falls	Marinette County	316 m	Niagara	2
Cato Falls	Manitowoc County	241 m	Cato	4
Copper Falls	Ashland County	314 m	Ashland	1
Daves Falls	Marinette County	254 m	Niagara	2
Ducknest Falls	Menominee County	293 m	Keshena	2
Eighteenfoot Falls	Marinette County	317 m	Niagara	2
Eightfoot Falls	Marinette County	303 m	Niagara	2
Evergreen Falls	Menominee County	308 m	Keshena	2
Freeman Falls	Shawano County	262 m	Keshena	3
Hamilton Falls	Eau Claire County	295 m	Augusta	2
Horseshoe Falls	Marinette County	304 m	Niagara	2
Little Bull Falls	Wood County	317 m	Marshfield	3
Little Bull Falls	Shawano County	258 m	Keshena	3
Little Falls	Sawyer County	397 m	Phillips	2
Little Falls	Waupaca County	268 m	Marion	3
Little Manitou Falls	Douglas County	316 m	Superior	3
Little Quinnesec Falls	Marinette County	287 m	Niagara	4
Long Slide Falls	Marinette County	278 m	Niagara	2
Morgan Falls	Ashland County	387 m	Ashland	2
Ni-ho-kha-wa-ne-ey-ja	Jackson County	229 m	Black River Falls	4
Peavey Falls	Menominee County	300 m	Keshena	2
Pipestone Falls	Sawyer County	440 m	Little Round Lake	2
Polly Falls	Jackson County	243 m	Black River Falls	3
Potato River Falls	Iron County	295 m	Hurley	1
Rainbow Falls	Menominee County	321 m	Keshena	2
Rainbow Rapids	Oneida County	478 m	Rhinelander	2
Shale Falls	Douglas County	211 m	Lake Nebagamon	2
Skillet Falls	Sauk County	299 m	West Baraboo	5
Smalley Falls	Marinette County	295 m	Niagara	2
Spring Camp Falls	Iron County	473 m	Hurley	2
Strong Falls	Marinette County	366 m	Kingsford	2
Sturgeon Falls (historical)	Marinette County	253 m	Norway	3
Sullivan Falls	Menominee County	297 m	Keshena	2
Twelvefoot Falls	Marinette County	303 m	Niagara	2
Wayka Falls	Menominee County	262 m	Keshena	3
Gilmer Falls	Shawano County	263 m	Keshena	3

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph waterfalls

Waterfalls photograph best in soft, even light: overcast days, deep shade, or the hour after sunrise before direct sun hits the water. Bright sun on white water blows highlights and adds harsh contrast.

Use 1/4 to 1 second for a silky look; 1/500 s or faster freezes individual drops.
A circular polarizer cuts glare on wet rocks and leaves and deepens greens — rotate it while watching the rocks, not the sky.
Spring snowmelt and the days after heavy rain give the strongest flow; late summer flow can drop to a trickle.
Look for a foreground: a mossy boulder, a fallen log or the creek's leading lines make a stronger frame than the falls alone.
Keep a microfiber cloth handy — spray drifts onto the lens, especially at the plunge pool.

Season: Peak flow is usually in late spring; autumn adds color around the falls, and winter can bring ice formations at colder locations.