Marinette County: Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin

Marinette County, Wisconsin has several hidden gems waiting for travelers to notice in the form of thirteen waterfalls, thus giving the moniker of Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin to the area. Hiking trails, picnic areas, camping, kayaking, and rafting are all available at different points throughout the falls system. Once discovered, vacationers often return repeatedly, as each trip back is as unique as the one before. Each waterfall is located within the county's perimeter, with a fourteenth waterfall just across the state's border in Dickinson County, Michigan.

Marinette County has a park system, which either charges a small daily fee, currently $2.00, or offers a pass good for entrance the entire year for all county parks for the bargain price of $12.00. As many of the waterfalls are located within the county's parks, if you plan to visit more than a few, or plan to make several short trips throughout a summer, a yearlong pass is much more economical. Piers Gorge, across the border in Michigan has no entrance fee.

While each park has its own unique attractions, several of them offer camping directly or at neighboring campsites, including Veteran's Falls, McClintock Falls, Strong Falls, and Twelve Foot Falls, which is also home to Eight Foot Falls.

All the parks, Veteran's Falls, McClintock Falls, Strong Falls, Twelve Foot Falls, Eight Foot Falls, Carney Rapids, Four Foot Falls, Eighteen Foot Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Dave's Falls, Bull Falls, Smalley Falls, Long Slide Falls, and the neighboring Piers Gorge in Dickinson County Michigan all offer hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Some trails can be hazardous when water conditions are high, so be sure to read any local warnings before heading out onto the trails.

For a detailed guide and map on the waterfalls and parks, whose borders they reside in, make your request by dialing 1-800-236-6681 or e-mail your request to chamber@centurytel.net. A map can also be requested by sending a SASE to Marinette County Tourism, 601 Marinette Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143.