Waterfalls of Amnicon Falls State Park

The 828 acre Amnicon Falls State Park features three or four waterfalls, depending on the amount of rainwater draining into the Amnicon River. Each of the falls drops between 10 and 15 feet.

The park is located 14 miles southeast of downtown Superior, Wisconsin just north of US route 2 on Douglas County Highway U. Besides the waterfalls, the park includes a swimming area below the falls, a primitive campground, a picnic area, and pit toilets. After entering the park, we turned right on the picnic road to follow the river to the falls. A one lane bridge spans a side channel of the river that flows over the ephemeral Now and Then Falls. Further downstream, the river flows around an island with Upper Falls and Lower Falls on one branch and Snake Pit Falls on the other branch.

Views of the lower drop of Snake Pit Falls from the trail were obscured by vegetation. Venturing off-trail might provide a view of the lower drop, but the sloping terrain and sheer cliff about 20 feet down to the river was enough to deter me from further exploration.

The river acquires its rust color by flowing over iron-bearing rock upstream. A covered bridge provides pedestrian access to the island from the picnic area. The bridge design was created by Charles M Horton in the late 1890s. The bridge was originally built at another location and was moved to the site in 1930. The cover was added by the CCC in 1939 and replaced in 1941 and 1971. We visited this gem of a park in early August 2017.

Amnicon River

View upstream toward campground road bridge

While most of the river flows to the right of this rock, a small portion forms this chute on the left side

Upstream view of cascades

Amnicon River from the picnic road

View upstream

View downstream

Rapids

Picnic tables and riverside bench

Upper Falls from the Horton covered bridge

A closer view of Upper Falls

Lower Falls and the Horton covered bridge

View downstream of Lower Falls

Trail on the island from the covered bridge

Right branch of the Amnicon River above Upper Falls from the trail

Left branch of the Amnicon River above Snake Pit Falls

An unnamed drop above Snake Pit Falls

Upper drop of Snake Pit Falls

Now and Then Falls

A closer view the trickle of water at Now and Then Falls

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.

The Pattison State Park website is http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/pattison/.