Wisconsin Water Falls - Big Manitou

Big Manitou Falls - Pattison State Park
Wisconsin.  8/26/2021 dwm photo

You hear Big Manitou Falls before you see it.

After enjoying the Amnicon River Water Falls we stayed in Douglas County, driving southwest to Pattison State Park which is home to the biggest falls in Wisconsin.

The water is the Black River which downstream joins the Nemadji River before flowing into Lake Superior.

We parked in a lot across the street from a path leading to the falls which took us to a bridge crossing Black River as it fell over the man-made dam which created Interfalls Lake.

You can see parts of the river from the top, but it wasn't obvious where to go or how far to walk to see the waterfall.

Returning to the car to consult the park map I noticed another path which I thought would take me into the gorge for a look.  Instead the mostly level trail brings you to a spot where overlooking the whole Grand Manitou Falls.

A look down at the falls
from the top.
8/26/21 (dwm)

 The water falls 165 feet from its highest point which makes it the tallest waterfall in Wisconsin and according to OnMilwaukee.com is the fourth highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains.

 It is not the kind of thing you expect to see in Wisconsin.  If it weren't for Martin Pattison, we wouldn't see it.  Pattison, a successful lumberman who was also a conservationist, secretly bought 660 acres to prevent a hydroelectric dam on the Black River which would have destroyed the falls.

Big Manitou Water Falls, Douglas County, Wisconsin  8/26/2021 d.w. mossner photo