Copper Falls State Park

Copper Falls State Park is widely considered one of the most scenic parks in Wisconsin, a rugged north-woods gem where the tannin-darkened waters of the Bad River and its tributary the Tyler Forks tumble over a series of dramatic waterfalls through a deep, ancient gorge near Mellen in the state’s far north. Towering over a billion years old, the gorge’s dark volcanic rock and the root-beer-colored cascades create a striking and atmospheric landscape.

The park’s signature features — Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls — plunge over the dark rock walls, viewed from a beloved trail loop that follows the gorge rim past overlooks, a historic log concession building and stone bridges built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The deep gorge, the cascading dark water, the north-woods forest and the rich history make Copper Falls a treasured destination. With waterfalls, trails, a beach, camping and dramatic scenery, it is a crown jewel of northern Wisconsin’s parks.

Copper Falls State Park offers superb recreation centered on its waterfalls — the beloved Doughboys’ Nature Trail loop follows the gorge rim past Copper Falls, Brownstone Falls and dramatic overlooks, with stone bridges and a historic log concession. Beyond hiking, the park offers swimming at a beach on Loon Lake, camping, picnicking, fishing, paddling, an observation tower, and access to the North Country and Ice Age trails. The dramatic gorge, the dark cascades and the north-woods setting make Copper Falls one of Wisconsin’s most scenic and rewarding parks.

Spring brings the fullest, most powerful flow over the falls from snowmelt, while fall is spectacular, with brilliant north-woods color framing the dark gorge and cascades — a premier autumn destination. Summer is pleasant for the falls along with the park’s beach and camping, and winter brings ice and quiet. The falls are fullest in spring; fall color in the gorge is a highlight. Visit in spring for power, fall for color, or summer to combine the waterfalls with the lake and trails.

The Copper Falls area, long known to the Ojibwe and named for the copper once sought in the region, became a Wisconsin state park to preserve its dramatic gorge and waterfalls. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built the park’s beloved trails, stone bridges, log concession building and other rustic structures, many of which survive and lend the park its historic character. Copper Falls State Park has been treasured ever since as one of the most scenic parks in Wisconsin, blending natural drama with rich CCC-era heritage.

Copper Falls State Park’s gorge is carved into ancient volcanic and sedimentary rock more than a billion years old, formed during the great Midcontinent Rift when lava flows and rifting shaped the region. The Bad River and Tyler Forks have cut deep into this dark, hard rock, creating the waterfalls, the steep gorge walls and the rugged scenery. The tannin-stained, root-beer-colored water (from the rivers’ bog and forest sources) pouring over the dark ancient rock gives the falls and gorge their distinctive, atmospheric character.

The gorge, rivers and north-woods forests of Copper Falls State Park host white-tailed deer, black bear, foxes, and a rich community of birds, with the forests sheltering northern species and the rivers supporting fish, while loons call on the park’s Loon Lake. The varied habitat of gorge, river, forest and lake supports diverse northern wildlife. The park is a fine place for wildlife watching and birding in northern Wisconsin, where the dark rivers and deep forests add to the wild, north-woods character.

Copper Falls State Park preserves a rich northern Wisconsin ecosystem of deep river gorge, tannin-stained rivers, north-woods forest and lakes near the Lake Superior region. The cool gorge, the rivers and the surrounding boreal-influenced forest support diverse plant and animal life, and the park lies along important regional trail and habitat corridors. Protecting the gorge, the rivers’ water quality and the north-woods forest sustains both the ecology and the dramatic scenery of one of Wisconsin’s most treasured natural parks.

Copper Falls State Park, with its dramatic dark-water cascades, deep ancient gorge and beloved CCC-built trails and structures, holds a cherished place among Wisconsin’s parks, widely regarded as one of the most scenic in the state. Named for the region’s copper-mining heritage and rich in Ojibwe history and Depression-era craftsmanship, the park blends natural grandeur with cultural heritage, drawing generations of hikers and nature lovers to its waterfalls and north-woods beauty.

Copper Falls State Park is in far northern Wisconsin near Mellen, off State Route 169, in Ashland County. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required. The park offers the Doughboys’ Nature Trail to the falls and overlooks, a beach and swimming on Loon Lake, campgrounds, picnic areas, an observation tower and trail connections. The gorge trails involve stairs and uneven footing. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for admission, trail conditions and access before visiting.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources protects the gorge, rivers, waterfalls, forests and historic structures of Copper Falls State Park. Visitors help by staying on trails and overlooks, keeping back from the dangerous gorge edges, packing out everything, protecting the rivers’ water quality, respecting wildlife and the historic CCC structures, and following park rules. Protecting the deep gorge, the dark rivers and the north-woods forest sustains both the ecology and the dramatic scenery of one of Wisconsin’s most scenic parks.

Copper Falls’ gorge has steep, dangerous cliffs and the trails follow the rim with drop-offs — stay on trails and overlooks, keep well back from the edges, watch footing on stairs and uneven, sometimes slippery rock, and supervise children closely, as falls into the gorge would be fatal. Do not climb down to the rivers or onto wet rocks near the falls. Trails can be icy in the cold months. Wear sturdy footwear, carry water, and respect the rugged gorge and the dark, powerful rivers.

A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required. Stay on designated trails and overlooks and back from the gorge edges. Camp only in designated campgrounds. Swim at the designated Loon Lake beach. Follow Wisconsin fishing regulations and licensing. Treat the historic CCC structures with care. Pets must be leashed. Drones generally require authorization. Collecting is prohibited. Pack out all trash. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for current rules and conditions before visiting.

The town of Mellen and the broader Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest lie near the park, with the Penokee Hills, the North Country and Ice Age national scenic trails, and the Lake Superior shoreline and Apostle Islands region within reach to the north. The city of Ashland lies on Lake Superior nearby. Copper Falls State Park anchors a region of dramatic north-woods waterfalls, forests and trails in far northern Wisconsin, near the great lake.

Hike the Doughboys’ Nature Trail loop to see both Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls plunging through the dark ancient gorge, crossing the historic stone bridges — visit in spring for the fullest flow or fall for spectacular north-woods color. Keep well back from the dangerous gorge edges, wear sturdy footwear for the stairs and uneven trail, and bring a park sticker. Combine the falls with the park’s Loon Lake beach in summer and the nearby Lake Superior and Apostle Islands region.