State Park with Nature Programs

Pattison State Park stands out in a state filled with gorgeous parks because it features the highest waterfall in Wisconsin, which also happens to be the fourth highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The Big Manitou Falls is 165 feet high. A second falls, the Little Manitou Falls reaches 31 feet in the air. The entire park is nearly 1500 acres and offers visitors nature programs and guided hikes, a nature center, a lake with a beach, camping facilities, and nine miles of hiking trails. Conveniently located in Superior, Wisconsin, the park is less than an hours' drive from Duluth, Minnesota, the Brule River State Forest, the Wild Rivers State Trail, the Gandy Dancer State Trail, and Lake Superior.

One of the major attractions of the park is the Black River. It covers 22 miles through the park starting at the Black Lake and dropping 31 feet over the small falls, into the Interfalls Lake, and then reaches the Big Manitou Falls. If you are ready to explore the park, start at the picnic area under Highway 35 and walk through the pedestrian tunnel leading toward the falls.

If beach going is what you are after, head to the 300-foot sandy beach front, a place where visitors can sunbathe, swim, and picnic. There is a bathhouse on the site. The beach has no lifeguards, so it advised that visitors swim with friends and watch their children closely. There are designated areas for swimming to keep swimmers from getting too close to the falls.

Fishing is allowed inside of the park, but not in the lake. The Black River is sometimes visited by anglers but the Department of Natural Resources stopped stocking the river nearly a decade ago.

Camping is a great way to experience Pattison. There are 59 regular campsites, 18 of which feature electric hooking. There are also three backpack sites that are located about a mile and a half from the parking area. Each features a pit toilet, a fire ring, and a table. Water has to be carried in and garbage must not be left at the site. No sewer or water hookups are available, but there is a dumping station, and showers and flush toilets are open during the summer months.

The parks nature program is another popular feature that makes the park stand out. Guided hikes are often throughout the year and the Gitche Gumee Nature Center provides shelter buildings filled with the history of the park, geology information, and wildlife. Young campers will receive a Wisconsin Explorer booklet from the park office which they can use during their stay. Kids can also borrow backpacks from the park office during their stay.

The park has three picnic areas that feature water, grills, tables, and restrooms. The largest of these areas is conveniently located near the beach. These facilities are great for summer gatherings, family reunions, and get-togethers for large groups in the park. With so much to do, the entire family will love visiting the Pattison State Park in Superior.