Want to see frozen waterfalls in Wisconsin? Try these 8 gorgeous winter hikes

Bundle up and set out on these winter hikes to waterfalls in Wisconsin.

When snowfall covers the Badger State in a glittering blanket of white, the time has come to trek to one of Wisconsin’s dozens of waterfalls for a wintertime escapade.

During the coldest months, many Wisconsin waterfalls completely or partially freeze, leaving gleaming icicles and iridescent spray in the place of their usual streams. Ready to view some waterfalls in all their icy glory? Be mindful of a few safety tips beforehand:

Wear waterproof hiking shoes with extra tread, as nearby rocks—and even the trail itself—may be ice-covered and slick. As the North Country Trail Association notes, visitors should carry a map, navigation tools, and a headlamp, as short days and blowing snow reduce visibility. Consider utilizing trekking poles with carbide tips to steady yourself on icy trails. Finally, carry an extra set of dry clothes and a warm beverage to help prevent hypothermia from extended exposure to low temperatures.

Though there are hundreds to choose from across Wisconsin, here are our picks for the eight most beautiful, accessible, and frozen waterfalls to ooh and ahh at this winter:

1. Cascade Falls

In the mood for a challenging yet quick hike to a magnificent display of frozen beauty? Look no further than the Osceola trails to Cascade Falls, a moderate, 1.2-mile loop located smack in the middle of downtown Osceola.

Though a sizable stair set and an elevation gain of 141 feet will get your heart pumping, the route generally only takes a half-hour to complete. When you reach your destination, a 25-foot waterfall awaits you, glittering like so many crystals. History buffs will also appreciate gazing at the ruins of an old mill and brewery that remain just above Cascade Falls, the life-sustaining reason for the founding of Osceola itself.

2. Wequiock Falls

You may not even break a sweat on the easy, 0.2-mile trail to Wequiock Falls, located north of Green Bay on the way to Door County. This five-minute hike through Wequiock Falls County Park leads visitors to a large ravine, where you can get up close and personal with the Niagara Escarpment. This ancient, geological formation carved into limestone by glaciers centuries ago runs from east-central Wisconsin through Ontario before ending near New York’s Niagara Falls.

If the weather allows, make an afternoon out of your visit by gazing at the icicle-studded waterfall while picnicking at one of several tables placed throughout the park. Entry to the park is free for all.

3. Stephens Falls

A quick and well-maintained, 0.3-mile path leads hikers through Governor Dodge State Park to Stephens Falls, an awe-inspiring, 20-foot waterfall that cascades over a moss-covered cliff into a tiny pool. This moderate trail, located just outside Dodgeville in Iowa County, requires traversing a steep set of stairs and encountering icy, slippery rocks, so if you don’t have boots with good tread, enjoy the view from the paved path.

Another point of interest is the Spring House located near the falls—this structure was erected in the 1930s as a storehouse for food and supplies for the park’s first caretakers. Today, it’s a piece of living history that incorporates the area’s natural springs into its construction.

4. Brownstone Falls

Making the trek north to Copper Falls State Park in Ashland County is worth every minute of travel time when you set your gaze upon the park’s several waterfalls, which turn into living ice sculptures during the winter months.

The crown jewel of Copper Falls State Park is undoubtedly Brownstone Falls—the 30-foot stunner sits at the point where Tyler Forks meets the Bad River on its way to Lake Superior, and this point of convergence only partially freezes, leaving an ever-evolving display of frozen spray and rushing water. Other falls in the area worth noting include Red Granite Falls and Copper Falls, which are accessible via three easy-to-moderate routes. Opt for Doughboy’s Nature Trail to the Brownstone Falls overlook for an easy, 0.7-mile walk past some of the park’s top sights.

5. Big Manitou Falls

Amble at a gentle pace along the wide and well-maintained trails of Pattison State Park until you reach a sight that may stop you in your tracks: Big Manitou Falls. This 165-foot waterfall near Superior holds the crown for the tallest fall in the Badger State, not to mention the fourth-tallest fall this side of the Rocky Mountains. When winter weather paints the entire scene in white, the icicle-covered waterfall stands out in sharp contrast from the tea-colored flow of the Black River.

If witnessing the splendor of Big Manitou Falls inspires you to seek further adventure, keep going along the easy, four-mile trail until you reach Little Manitou Falls, a 31-foot marvel in its own right.

6. Fonferek Falls

Travel through some unassuming farmland in Brown County just south of Green Bay to reach Fonferek Falls, a 30-foot waterfall whose slow trickle forms an ice curtain in freezing weather. A wheelchair-accessible path leads you from the parking lot to an overlook where you can view the falls, while a moderate, 0.9-mile hike takes you into the Fonferek Glen. If you’re wearing boots with good tread, venture across this frozen valley to the waterfall itself, where you can scoot behind its stream for an unforgettable view and photo-op.

7. Apostle Island Ice Caves

In all fairness, the Apostle Island Ice Caves at Apostle Island National Lakeshore are rarely open to the public due to treacherous and unstable ice conditions, but it never hurts to check the Facebook page for this National Park Service-maintained site to see if today’s your lucky day. Located on the shores of Lake Superior at the northern end of Wisconsin’s Bayfield peninsula, the Apostle Island Ice Caves are carved from sandstone that gives in to the area’s crashing waves to form small ice-waterfalls on the walls of the rock. If you’re fortunate enough to see the caves in person, an ever-changing constellation of ice stalactites await. Park rangers advise carrying a ski pole and wearing ice cleats to prevent you from slipping on newly formed ice cracks, thin spots, or slushy patches.

8. Willow Falls

Complex ice formations mingle with rushing water at Willow Falls, located northeast of Hudson in St. Croix County. A moderate, two-mile trail following the Willow River may be challenging with its steep, uphill climb, but the strain is worth it when you happen upon Willow Falls, with its three, gently sloping ledges that guide the water 45 feet down into a deep gorge. Learn the geological history of the area by visiting Willow River State Park’s nature center, which details the falls’ 500-million-year evolution from glacial carvings.