In far northwestern Wisconsin, there’s an expansive state park that’s simply magical. Pattison State Park is a land of wild forests and roaring waterfalls, a place to seek out when you truly need to get away from it all. It’s unlike any state park in Wisconsin and it was nearly lost to a development project. If you need to escape to someplace special, this park is the place to go. Here’s what you need to know about Pattison State Park in Wisconsin.
The park is located in Douglas County on the Black River, south of Superior. It’s about a five-hour drive from Madison and a six-hour drive from Milwaukee. It’s well worth the journey.
Alltrails / Louise Voss
The park is named after Martin Pattison, an early lumber man and miner. He built a small fortune in iron mining. In 1917, a company planned to build a power dam on the Black River, an area he knew well. It would have destroyed a spectacular 165-foot waterfall called Big Manitou Falls.
Alltrails / Toby Merrill
Pattison quietly launched a plan to save the falls – he used his wealth to purchase a total of 660 acres from different landowners along the river. He then donated the land to the state of Wisconsin, which let to the creation of Pattison State Park in 1920.
Alltrails / Bruce Peterson
The park is a wonderland for nature lovers. It has two waterfalls - Big Manitou Falls, the largest in the state, and a smaller falls called Little Manitou Falls, which is also spectacular.
Alltrails / David Setzer
But there’s more to this park that spectacular waterfalls. The park covers more than 1,400 acres and the park’s lush forest is laced with over nine miles of trails. In the summer they are used for hiking - in the winter the park becomes a destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Alltrails / Quinn Kramar
The park also has a soft sand swimming beach, 59 campsites, and the Gitche Gumee Nature Center, which features exhibits about the park’s cultural and natural history. There are also picnic areas and pavilions and lots of places to get near cool, refreshing water.
Alltrails / Louise Voss
Pattison State Park is open year-round. A Wisconsin state park vehicle sticker is required. Lean more about the park on the state DNR website. While you’re in the Superior area, here’s an incredible Lake Superior beach that’s worth discovering.
Alltrails / Louise Voss
Alltrails / Toby Merrill
Alltrails / Bruce Peterson
Alltrails / David Setzer
Alltrails / Quinn Kramar
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Pattison State Park, 6294 WI-35, Superior, WI 54880, USA
