Waterfall Hikes Near Appleton, WI

233,947 residents
Chicago Time Zone
12 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Paper mills once ran on the drop the Fox River makes through Appleton, though today's hikeable falls sit farther afield. Closest is Cato Falls, half a mile of easy walking on the Manitowoc River. Up in Wolf River country, a half-mile path serves Big Eddy Falls and Freeman Falls needs a mile round trip. Little Bull Falls matches Cato at a half mile. Twelve falls land within the circle, everything with data rated easy, and dogs come along wherever trails are measured.

Located at 44.2780°N, -88.3892°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Appleton

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

12 of 12 gauged

4 of 12 waterfalls near Appleton are flowing strongly today

Big Smoky Falls Strong Ducknest Falls Strong Sullivan Falls Strong Cato Falls Roaring Little Falls Low

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Thursday

Sunny · 76°F

Thu 76°F Sunny Best
Fri 79°F Sunny
Sat 79°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Sun 73°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mon 78°F Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 72°F Rain Showers Likely
Wed 71°F Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Flowing best right now near Appleton

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Cato Falls Roaring · 389 cfs 95th percentile
  2. 2 Big Smoky Falls Strong · 289 cfs 81st percentile
  3. 3 Ducknest Falls Strong · 289 cfs 81st percentile
  4. 4 Sullivan Falls Strong · 289 cfs 81st percentile
  5. 5 Little Falls Low · 372 cfs 23rd percentile
  6. 6 Beartrap Falls Low · 172 cfs 17th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Appleton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Appleton

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Appleton (5 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Cato Falls waterfall

Cato Falls

28.4 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft

Wayka Falls

24 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Appleton (6 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Little Bull Falls

44 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Freeman Falls waterfall

Freeman Falls

43.3 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 12 Waterfalls Near Appleton

Cato Falls waterfall

Cato Falls

28.4 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft

Little Bull Falls

44 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Gilmer Falls

43.9 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

40.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Freeman Falls waterfall

Freeman Falls

43.3 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Wayka Falls

24 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft

Big Eddy Falls

21.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Beartrap Falls

24.4 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Big Smoky Falls

19 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Ducknest Falls

18.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft
Sullivan Falls waterfall

Sullivan Falls

18.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 80 ft

Peavey Falls

49.9 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Appleton

Are there free waterfalls near Appleton?

There are 8 free waterfalls near Appleton, including Cato Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Appleton?

There are 5 easy waterfall hikes near Appleton, including Cato Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Appleton?

There are 6 dog-friendly waterfalls near Appleton, including Big Eddy Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Appleton?

There are 6 kid-friendly waterfalls near Appleton, including Big Eddy Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Appleton?

The shortest waterfall hike near Appleton is Beartrap Falls at 0.6 miles round trip.

Do any waterfalls near Appleton require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Appleton requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Appleton?

Yes, 10 waterfalls near Appleton have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Appleton?

The closest waterfall to Appleton is Cato Falls, approximately 30.2 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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