RT Copper Falls State Park

Park containing a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls

General Information

Hours:

Open daily from 6:00am to 11:00pm year-round

Fees:

Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker required
Wisconsin residents: Daily and annual admission stickers available
Non-residents: Daily and annual admission stickers available
Additional fees apply for camping, shelters, and certain reservations

Pet Policy:

Pets are permitted in designated areas and must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet. Pets are not allowed on the Doughboys Nature Trail and are restricted from certain beaches, buildings, picnic areas, and ski trails.

Seasons:

All year (summer for hiking, waterfalls, swimming, and camping; fall for peak color viewing; winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; spring for waterfalls and wildflowers)

Location:

36764 Copper Falls Road, Mellen, WI 54546

Website:

dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/copperfalls

How to Get There

From Cobblestone Inn & Suites Ashland (approximately 22 mi): Take US-2 E from Ashland toward Mellen, then follow County Highway GG and Copper Falls Road northeast to the entrance of Copper Falls State Park.

Overview

Copper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre (1,242 ha) state park in Wisconsin. The park contains a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls. The state park was created in 1929 and amenities were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. In 2005 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site with 10 contributing properties.

Loon Lake

The lake offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and boating with electric motors only. Trout fishing can be found on the Bad River and Tylers Forks.

Trails

The park has 17 miles (27 km) of trails including a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Trails are used for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Things to Do

Discover Wisconsin's Most Spectacular Waterfalls

Copper Falls State Park is one of Wisconsin's most scenic natural destinations, located near Mellen in the state's Northwoods. The park is famous for its deep river gorges, ancient volcanic rock formations, old-growth forests, and impressive waterfalls created by the Bad River and Tyler Forks River. The combination of rugged landscapes and dramatic scenery makes it one of Wisconsin's premier outdoor recreation areas.

See Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls

The park's signature attractions are Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls. Copper Falls plunges through a narrow gorge surrounded by ancient lava flows, while nearby Brownstone Falls cascades through a striking red sandstone canyon. Several overlooks and boardwalks provide excellent viewing opportunities and photography locations.

Explore Ancient Geological Formations

Visitors can observe billion-year-old volcanic rock formations that tell the story of the region's geologic history. The dramatic gorges, cliffs, and waterfalls were carved over thousands of years and showcase some of the most unique geology in the Great Lakes region.

Enjoy Outdoor Recreation

The park offers hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and photography. Its well-maintained trail system and scenic overlooks attract visitors throughout the year.

Observe Wildlife and Northern Forest Ecosystems

Copper Falls State Park protects forests of maple, birch, pine, and hemlock that provide habitat for white-tailed deer, black bears, foxes, beavers, songbirds, and a variety of native plant species. Fall colors are especially spectacular, drawing visitors from across the Midwest.

Top Trails

Doughboys Nature Trail

Length: Approximately 1.7 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

This popular trail visits Copper Falls, Brownstone Falls, and several scenic overlooks along the park's river gorges. Boardwalks, bridges, and observation platforms provide outstanding views of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape.

Red Granite Falls Trail

Length: Approximately 2.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This scenic trail follows the Tyler Forks River to Red Granite Falls, passing through beautiful forest habitats and offering opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

North Country National Scenic Trail

Length: Variable distances available
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

A segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail passes through the park, allowing hikers to explore additional river valleys, forests, and scenic overlooks while connecting with one of America's longest hiking trails.

Vahtera Trail

Length: Approximately 3 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This trail travels through northern hardwood forests and provides a quieter hiking experience away from the main waterfall areas. Visitors can enjoy beautiful woodland scenery, seasonal wildflowers, and opportunities for birdwatching.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources official Copper Falls State Park information, including details on Copper Falls, Brownstone Falls, hiking trails, camping, wildlife viewing, geology, and recreational opportunities. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/copperfalls
Additional trail and visitor information verified through Wisconsin State Parks resources covering the Doughboys Nature Trail, Red Granite Falls Trail, North Country Trail access, scenic overlooks, and year-round recreation opportunities.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Copper Falls State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0