Ramblings and images of some of the wonderful places we've visited
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Big Manitou Falls - Pattison State Park
Pattison State Park is located on state route 35 about 13 miles south of downtown Superior, Wisconsin. The 1436 acre park includes picnic areas, a swimming beach, campground, and several miles of trails. It also features 165' high Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin. The waterfall is on the Black River as it flows north to the Nemadji River and then into Lake Superior.
Martin Pattison thwarted a plan to dam the Black River and submerge Big Manitou Falls by secretly buying a total of 660 acres along the river in 1917. The following year, he donated the land to the state for preservation. The state created the park in 1920, but it wasn't developed until the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established a camp at the park in 1935. The CCC developed the trails, the road underpass, the swimming beach, and most of the other facilities in the park.
The Black River passes over iron-bearing rock on its way to the falls. Enough iron leaches out of the rock and into the river to cause the water to have a dark reddish tint. We visited in early August 2017.
Park office
A small part of the picnic area
Shelter can be reserved for group functions
More of the picnic area
Paved path toward Big Manitou Falls
Benches for viewing Interfalls Lake
Tunnel entrance
Tunnel under WI 35
Looking back at the tunnel
Black River at the brink of the falls
Last drop above the main falls
Pavement ends and stairs begin
First viewing site
Partial view from the first site
Gravel and timber step path to second viewing site
Approaching the second viewing site
View downstream
Iron deposits on the rock face of opposite wall of the gorge
Big Manitou Falls
Base of the falls
Closer view of the base of the falls
View down the gorge
Back at the tunnel, turn right...
...to view the pedestrian bridge over the Black River
Arch bridge over the river
Spillway maintains level of Interfalls Lake
Bridge from the other side of the river
Last drop above the falls from the opposite side
Top of the falls
Obstructed view of the falls from the opposite side
Entry to Wisconsin State Parks requires an entrance fee. Vehicles with Wisconsin plates may enter for $8 per day or $28 per calendar year. Out-of-state vehicles are assessed a fee of $11 per day or $38 per calendar year.
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