The North Country National Scenic Trail is a 4600-mile route between Vermont and South Dakota. A portion of this trail passes through Wisconsin between Upper Michigan and Duluth MN. Pattison State Park hosts 2.1 miles of this trail which follows the Black River between Little Manitou Falls and Big Manitou Falls. Big Manitou Falls is Wisconsin's highest waterfall at 165 feet.
This trail is an easy hike and can be completed by anyone of almost any level of fitness. It is an ideal nature walk for active families with young children. The route identified in this post is a 3.75-mile lollipop trail if combined with the Beaver Trail and will take approximately 1 1/2 hours to hike. Camping is available at several backpacker campsites, a shelter, and a family campground. Pattison State Park also offers a large beach area, concessions, potable water, showers, and restrooms.
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
The NCT section at Pattison is among the very best scenic hikes in Wisconsin. It may be a long drive for most of Wisconsin's population, but boy is it worth it. Hikers are rewarded with two of the most roaring and beautiful waterfalls in the State.
Big Manitou Falls is the starting point for most day hikers. It's just off the highway, across from the ranger station and beach area. There are stunning views and overlooks on both sides of the river. Waterfallers will delight in mountain-like scenery surrounding this dramatic waterfall.
From the falls, a pedestrian tunnel leads under the highway to the beach area. The NCT trail follows other named trails within the park. You'll stay on track by following the blue blazes. Initially, the trail follows the Beaver Trail which is a loop around Interfalls Lake. After crossing the Black River, NCT hikers follow the Little Manitou Falls Trail. This trail follows closely along the forested banks of the Black River providing excellent scenery all the way.
Little Manitou Falls represents the end/beginning of the NCT Pattison Section. Though smaller in height than Big Manitou, this waterfall is another massive natural fall over an ancient stone escarpment.
To make a lollipop trail, return to the Little Manitou and Beaver Trail intersection and finish the Beaver Trail loop on the west side of the lake. This portion of the Beaver Trail is a bit more difficult, but still an easy-to-moderate hike.
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| Little Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park |
North Country National Scenic Trail - Pattison Segment
COUNTY: Douglas
COMMUNITIES: Superior
TOTAL MILES: 2.1 miles linear (3.75-mile lollipop)
DIFFICULTY: Easy
NEXT NCT SEGMENT EASTBOUND: NCT St. Croix River to Gordon Dam
NEXT NCT SEGMENT WESTBOUND: Superior
CAMPING: 3 Backpacking Campsites Reservable and 1 Backpacker's Shelter. Car camping sites at Pattison State Park
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner.
Address for your GPS: 3518 E County Rd B Superior, WI 54880
| coordinates: 46.535118, -92.122797 |
| From Milwaukee | 6 Hours |
| From Madison | 5 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 3.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 2.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 7 Hours |
Photos
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| Big Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Dedication at Pattison State Park |
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| Dedication at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Big Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Interfalls Lake at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Nemadji River at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Little Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park |
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| North Country National Trail at Pattison State Park |
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| Little Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park |
Video
Keweenawan Basalt
Basalt
A dense dark volcanic rock formed by ancient lava flows, creating the resistant ledges that force the Black and Manitou Rivers into waterfalls.
Rhyolite
Rhyolite
A silica rich volcanic rock linked to the same rift era volcanism as the regional basalts, typically lighter colored and finer textured than basalt.
Jacobsville Sandstone
Sandstone
A reddish Precambrian sandstone deposited by ancient river systems after rifting, regionally prominent around western Lake Superior and nearby northwoods landscapes.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
A striking woodpecker that drills neat horizontal sap wells, showing a bold black-and-white face pattern with red on the head and throat (males).
Swainson’s Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
A warm brown woodland thrush with a buff eye ring and spotted chest, best known for its spiraling, flute-like song from dense conifers.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis
A tiny, bark-foraging climber with a bold black eye stripe and rusty underparts, often heard giving nasal “yank-yank” calls in spruce and pine.
Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
A narrow spired conifer with soft flattened needles and fragrant resin blisters, signaling cool, moist boreal conditions along northern Wisconsin trails.
White Spruce
Picea glauca
A tall northern spruce with stiff blue-green needles and pendulous cones, often rooted in cold air drainages and river-cooled forests.
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
A low creeping dogwood with four white bracts and whorled leaves, forming living carpets across shaded boreal forest floors.