Maps for 5 great Douglas County day hikes

Anyone looking for a good hiking destination ought to try Wisconsin’s Douglas County. The county boasts a number of outdoor attractions perfect for day hikers.

Here are five top-notch day hiking destinations in Douglas County, as well as trails maps for each:

Amnicon Falls island trails
Hikers can view the results of an earthquake from 500 million years ago while walking the island trails at Amnicon Falls State Park. Known as the Douglas Fault, this split in the earth stretches from Ashland to near the Twin Cities. Much of the bedrock sits at 50-60 degree angles, offering sights reminiscent of those along California’s San Andreas Fault. All of these millennia later, the fault line still effects the course of rivers – which is to hikers’ visual advantage.

Big Manitou Falls overlook trails
Just a few miles south of Superior flows the highest waterfall in the Upper Midwest. Short overlook trails in Pattison State Park provide a variety of scenic views of Big Manitou Falls. Summer marks the most comfortable time to visit the falls, but each season delivers a unique experience. Winter offers mist rising off the falls, spring brings thundering water flows, and autumn unveils the fantastic ancient rocks forming the gorge below.

Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail
Visitors to the Solon Springs area can day hike what feels like the forest primeval on the Brule Bog Boardwalk Trail. Located in southern Douglas County’s Brule River State Forest, the 2.3-mile boardwalk cuts through a wooded bog. Part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, it is entirely handicapped accessible.

Buckley Creek Barrens Trail
Day hikers can truly get back to nature with a walk through a pine barrens near the northern reach of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The Buckley Creek Barrens Trail is an undesignated out-and-back footpath that runs 1.2-miles round trip through the former Buckley Creek Barrens State Natural Area west of Gordon. Late summer and early autumn mark the best time to hike the trail, as spring through June will be wet and buggy.

Gordon Flowage Campground Trail
Day hikers can explore the northernmost reaches of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway on the Gordon Flowage Campground Trail. The roughly 2-mile round trip is a jeep trail running through the woods bordering the river. The trail actually is unnamed, but for convenience’s sake, we’ve christened it here after the campground where it begins in Gordon Dam County Park.

Read more about these and nearby trails in Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County.

Day hiking trail heads to 31-foot twin waterfall in northern Wisconsin

Little Manitou Falls. Photo courtesy of TravelWisconsin.com.

Little Manitou
Falls tumbles
over volcanic rock

Day hikers can enjoy one of Wisconsin’s highest waterfalls on the Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail in Pattison State Park.

The 2.2-mile round trip trail heads to the smaller of the state park’s two waterfalls. Only part of the hike described here is the Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail, as the Beaver Slide Trail must be taken to arrive at the trailhead.

To reach the park, from Superior, head south on Wis. Hwy. 35. The park road for Pattison is on the left/east. Park in the lot and take the walking paths to the beach on Interfalls Lake. At the beach, head left/south to pick up the Beaver Slide Trail.

Black River shoreline
This section of the trail is an easy route for families with children, as the trail surface consists of packed gravel and dirt and averages about 3 to 5 feet wide. The exception is a section running along a marsh, in which boardwalks make up the surface. Seasonal creeks flow into the river, so there also are several small wooden bridges along the way. And while there are plenty of dips and rises, the trail avoids any hills.

The best views of Interfalls Lake are on the segment of the trail heading south from the beach. About 23 acres in size with a maximum depth of 13 feet, Interfalls Lake is home to largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and trout.

Along the way, the trail intersects the Logging Camp Trail. Continue straight/right as the Beaver Slide begins to parallel the Black River.

The river in this stretch is about 30 feet wide and offers a number of rapids that provide a backing track of rushing water. Cedar, a variety of pines, and spruce hug the river’s rocky banks.

At about a half-mile into the hike, cross the bridge over the Black River. Continue straight/south along the river. You’re now technically on the Little Falls Hiking Trail.

Glacial Lake Duluth
At one time, this part of the park was the southeastern shore of ancient Glacial Lake Duluth. About 11,000 years ago during the last ice age as the Superior Lobe glacier advanced westward, it blocked the outlets of rivers flowing eastward. The water collected between the ice wall and the basin, resulting in several lakes.

As the lobe retreated, those lakes coalesced to form a larger one called Glacial Lake Duluth. Located in modern Lake Superior’s southwestern corner, it stretched as far east as Marquette, Mich., and north of Grand Portage, Minn. It also covered what is now dry land in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, as Glacial Lake Duluth was 500 feet higher than modern Lake Superior.

In 0.6 miles from the bridge, the trail reaches Little Manitou Falls. Wisconsin’s eighth highest waterfall at 31 feet, the Black River rushes in twin torrents over basalt. Known among the Ojibwe Indians who preceded the pioneers as Cacabeeca Bunghee (or Little Waterfalls), this falls is less than a fifth the height of Big Manitou Falls downstream.

For those in your party who may not be able to handle the hike, a parking lot with picnic tables and toilets can be found near the waterfall at the trail’s south end. This lot can be reached via Hwy. 35 south of the park’s main entrance.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Peaceful northern Wisconsin trail circles evergreen-lined lake

Interfalls Lake, Pattison State Park.
Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Beaver Slide Nature Trail runs 2 miles

A pleasant walk alongside a northern lake and a rapids-filled river awaits day hikers on the Beaver Slide Nature Trail in Wisconsin.

The 2-mile trail in Pattison State Park often is overshadowed by its sister trails that lead to waterfalls, including impressive Big Manitou Falls, Wisconsin’s highest and the fourth tallest east of the Rockies. But this is a peaceful walk worth making the time for.

To reach the park, take Wis. Hwy. 35 south about 13 miles from Superior, Wis. The entrance and parking lot is on the left. For the trailhead, from Pattison's main parking lot head toward the 300-foot sand beach and follow it south along Interfalls Lake.

Perfect for kids
This is an easy route for families with children. Almost all of the trail consists of packed gravel and dirt and averages about 3 to 5 feet wide. The exception is a section running along a marsh, in which boardwalks make up the surface. Seasonal creeks flow into the river, so there also are several small wooden bridges along the way. But while there are plenty of dips and rises, the trail avoids any hills.

The best views of Interfalls Lake are on the segment of the trail heading south from the beach. About 23 acres in size with a maximum depth of 13 feet, Interfalls Lake is home to largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and trout.

Next, the trail intersects the Logging Camp Trail. Continue straight/right as the Beaver Slide begins to parallel the Black River.

The river in this stretch is about 30 feet wide and offers a number of rapids that provide a backing track of rushing water. Cedar, spruce and a variety of pines hug the river’s rocky banks.

West side of river, lake
As the trail reaches its southern end, you’ll take a bridge over the Black River. Once across, go right/west; the Little Falls Hiking Trail heads the other direction

The trail next rambles roughly northwest along the other side of Black River through a boreal northern forest, which primarily consists of evergreens. Large patches of ferns also can be spotted along the trail.

The trail then comes back to shoreline of Interfalls Lake. Upon reaching the lake’s northwest corner, you’ll arrive at a small dam that backs up Black River into Interfalls Lake. Continue curving around lake to the beach and your parking lot.

Before driving off, you might consider stopping at the Gitche Gumee Nature Center. It features a few exhibits about the park’s wildlife, geology and cultural history.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Day hike heads along Northwoods river past logging camp

Interfalls Lake and beach on way to Logging Camp Trail.

Pattison park trail
runs 4.7 miles

The remains of a historic logging camp await day hikers on a popular trail in Wisconsin’s Pattison State Park.

The 4.7-mile Logging Camp Trail runs up and down wooded hills and along the Black River. Autumn marks a great tune to hike the trail as the northern hardwood trees will be alive with color while the bug population will be nil in the bogs.

To reach the park, from Superior, Wis., travel south on Wis. Hwy. 35. The highway splits the park in two sections; parking is available in the section of Pattison east of Hwy. 35.

From the main lot, walk southwest toward the beach on Interfalls Lake. Pick up Beaver Slide Nature Trail that heads along the lake’s east side.

In about 0.27 miles, the trail splits. Go left/southeast onto Logging Camp Trail.

Scenic summit
The first portion of the trail is a stem leading to the loop. The stem rises steeply through a woods for about 0.27 miles to an overlook of Beaver Slide Trail’s footbridge over the Black River. A bench is there, making this a good rest spot.

At the summit, the trail passes through an upland hardwoods forest. Bunchberries, ferns, wild rose and sarsaparalla grow beneath tree canopy.

The trail then gradually descends to the Black River, crossing a fairly boggy area. Black ash, red maple, yellow birch and alder grow in the lowland boreal forest. Footbridges head over bogs at some points along trail, which soon heads northwest and parallels the river.

The Black River rises out of Black Lake on the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, and meanders its way through the park until flowing into the Nemadji River to the north. Alongside the Logging Camp Trail, the river is shallow and rocky; at some spots during autumn, hikers even can walk across the rocks, though they will be slick and so this is unadvisable for younger children.

Along the way, the trail passes a connector that shortens the hike by not quite a mile.

Martin Pattison
Take the connector trail, though, and you'll miss the site of the historic Martin Pattison lumber camp. For three years in the 1880s, Pattison and his crew logged along this section of the Black River. Pattison – the park’s namesake – later was instrumental in saving the park’s Big Manitou Falls from destruction by secretly purchasing land to prevent construction of a dam for generating electricity.

In short order, the trail makes a hairpin turn to the northeast. Along the curve is a spur trail that leads to three backpack campsites. Little Manitou Falls can be enjoyed from the campsites, but you'll get a better, up close and personal view by taking the Little Manitou Falls Hiking Trail that is across the river.

Upon passing a trail shelter, you’ve almost completed the curve, and the forest turns back to stands of mixed hardwoods.

The trail then angles away from the Black River, reaching the other end of the previously passed connector trail and then the stem. Go left/north onto the stem and back onto Beaver Slide Nature Trail to the beach and parking lot.

Find out about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Best sites to see at Pattison State Park, Wis.

Little Manitou Falls. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Among the best ways to see the top sights of Wisconsin’s Pattison State Park is via a day hike. Just three short trails will allow you to enjoy each of the park’s highlights – the fourth highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, an ancient fault line, and Wisconsin’s boreal forest.

To reach the park, from Superior, Wis., travel south on Wis. Hwy. 35. The highway splits the park in two sections; parking is available in the park section east of Hwy. 35.

Big Manitou Falls
The highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the fourth highest east of the Mississippi River, Big Manitou Falls drops 165 feet. The Big Manitou Falls Overlooks Trail runs 1-mile round trip to the lip and then the base of the grand falls.

Douglas Fault
The ancient fault line formed 500 million years ago when the basalt bedrock fractured and folded in a line stretching from near Ashland, Wis., to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The 2-mile round trip Big Manitou Falls River Trail runs alongside the Black River with the adjacent cliffs showing Douglas Fault’s angled rock.

Boreal forest
In the extreme northern section of Wisconsin is a boreal forest consisting mainly of white spruce and balsam fir, as might be found in Maine. The 2-mile Beaver Slide Nature Trail loops Interfalls Lake, through the spruce-fir forest. The hike can be extended by taking a side trip on the Little Manitou Falls Trail to the 31-foot waterfall that is the trail’ namesake.

Read more about Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.

‘Hikes’ author’s article appears in Seattle Backpackers Magazine

My article about day hiking to Big Manitou Falls – Wisconsin’s highest waterfall and the fourth highest east of the Rockies – appeared in this week’s Seattle Backpackers Magazine. The waterfall is located in Pattison State Park a few miles south of Superior. The article is available online.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.

Day hike to Wisconsin's highest waterfall

Big Manitou Falls

Big Manitou Falls as high as Niagara

Just a few miles south of the largest metro area of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin flows the highest waterfall in either state. Short overlook trails in Pattison State Park provide a variety of scenic views of Big Manitou Falls.

Summer marks the most comfortable time to visit the falls, but each season delivers a unique experience. Winter means mist rising off the falls, spring brings thundering water flows, and summer reveals the fantastic ancient rocks forming the gorge below.

To reach the park, take Wis. Hwy. 35 south about 13 miles from Superior, Wis. The entrance and parking lot is on the left. An entry fee is required for each vehicle.

For the trailhead, head to the southwest corner of the parking lot and take the pathway through the park’s grassy picnic area past the nature center toward Interfalls Lake. Even though trees block the waterfalls, you’ll be able to hear its rumble.

Two views of falls
At the lake, follow the pedestrian tunnel under Hwy. 35. The half-mile-long trial’s difficulty level is easy with some elevation change.

Past the tunnel, stay on north side of Black River, which the Ojibwa Indians who once lived here called “Mucudewa Sebee,” which translates to “dark.” It aptly describes the brown-tinted river, the coloration caused by decaying leaves and roots spilling into the waterway.

Short trails leading off the main one give you two views of Big Manitou Falls. At 165 feet, the falls is the fourth largest east of the Rockies and the same height as Niagara.

The falls exists because of the dark basalt, the remains of a 1.2-billion-year-old lava flow that covers much of the Wisconsin-Minnesota border area. The Douglas Fault runs downstream from the falls, with the southern side of the fault rising at a 50 degree angle. Today, Black River runs down this gorge formed long ago by volcanic action and earthquakes, eventually meeting the Nemadji River, which flows into Lake Superior.

Almost wiped out
A century ago, developers almost wiped out the falls with a planned hydroelectric dam. The park’s namesake, Martin Pattison, purchased land to deliberately block the dam’s construction, however.

For a longer walk and additional views of the falls, head back toward the tunnel but before reaching it take a connecting trail that heads across the river. This provides two additional views of the falls from the south.

Though you’ll probably be focused on the falls, keep an eye out for the local wildlife in this boreal forest. More than 200 bird species, including hawks and owls, as well 50-plus mammals, including porcupines and black bears, call the park home.

On the way back to your vehicle, stop at the Gitchee Gummee Nature Center for its exhibits. The popular state park also hosts nature programs, and a sandy beach. For children, the nature center loans out two different nature exploration backpacks full of fun activities. Pets on a leash are allowed. Also, this is a carry in/carry out park, so you’ll have trouble finding garbage cans.

Read more about Douglas County day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of Douglas County guidebook.