Waterfall Hikes Near Appleton, WI

233,947 residents
Chicago Time Zone
12 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Appleton? There are 12 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Appleton. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

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

12 of 12 waterfalls near Appleton are flowing strongly today

Beartrap Falls Strong Big Eddy Falls Strong Freeman Falls Strong Gilmer Falls Strong Little Bull Falls Strong Peavey Falls Strong Wayka Falls Strong Big Smoky Falls Roaring Ducknest Falls Roaring Sullivan Falls Roaring Cato Falls Strong Little Falls Strong

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Sunday

Mostly Sunny · 80°F

Aft 82°F Sunny
Wed 85°F Sunny
Thu 89°F Sunny
Fri 85°F Chance Rain
Sat 80°F Chance Rain
Sun 80°F Mostly Sunny Best
Mon 84°F Sunny

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 Big Smoky Falls Roaring · 269 cfs 93rd percentile
  2. 2 Ducknest Falls Roaring · 269 cfs 93rd percentile
  3. 3 Sullivan Falls Roaring · 269 cfs 93rd percentile
  4. 4 Beartrap Falls Strong · 130 cfs 85th percentile
  5. 5 Big Eddy Falls Strong · 130 cfs 85th percentile
  6. 6 Freeman Falls Strong · 130 cfs 85th 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

38.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft

Wayka Falls

22.5 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

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

Freeman Falls

14.8 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 12 Waterfalls Near Appleton

Cato Falls waterfall

Cato Falls

38.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft

Little Bull Falls

15.4 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Gilmer Falls

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

Little Falls

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

Freeman Falls

14.8 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Wayka Falls

22.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft

Big Eddy Falls

25 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Beartrap Falls

22.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Big Smoky Falls

27.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Ducknest Falls

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

Sullivan Falls

28.3 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 80 ft

Peavey Falls

19.3 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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