Waterfall Hikes Near Wausau, WI

71,236 residents
Chicago Time Zone
15 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Grandfather Falls is the one people drive to from Wausau, a rough stretch where the Wisconsin River drops through boulders north of Merrill. About two miles of walking follows it. Fifteen falls fall inside the radius, and most of the walks are short, half a mile or less. Dogs are allowed at Grandfather and at Big Eddy. Several of the smaller ones have no maintained trail at all.

Located at 44.9620°N, -89.6459°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Wausau

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

15 of 15 gauged

15 waterfalls near Wausau have live flow data today

Beartrap Falls Barely Flowing Big Eddy Falls Barely Flowing Freeman Falls Barely Flowing Gilmer Falls Barely Flowing Little Bull Falls Barely Flowing Peavey Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Wayka Falls Barely Flowing Big Smoky Falls Low Ducknest Falls Low Evergreen Falls Low Sullivan Falls Low Grandfather Falls Moderate Little Bull Falls Barely Flowing Little Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Mostly Sunny · 65°F

Sun 69°F Partly Sunny
Mon 76°F Mostly Sunny
Tue 73°F Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Wed 70°F Rain Showers Likely
Thu 70°F Chance Rain Showers
Fri 65°F Mostly Sunny Best
Sat 64°F Slight Chance Rain Showers

Flowing best right now near Wausau

Updated about 4 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Grandfather Falls Low · 78 cfs 11th percentile
  2. 2 Big Smoky Falls Barely Flowing · 247 cfs 7th percentile
  3. 3 Ducknest Falls Barely Flowing · 247 cfs 7th percentile
  4. 4 Evergreen Falls Barely Flowing · 247 cfs 7th percentile
  5. 5 Sullivan Falls Barely Flowing · 247 cfs 7th percentile
  6. 6 Beartrap Falls Barely Flowing · 115 cfs 0th percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Wausau

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Wausau (10 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.

Grandfather Falls waterfall

Grandfather Falls

22.8 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
2.0 miles Unknown
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

36.6 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Peavey Falls in Wisconsin, about 27 feet of drop LiDAR

Peavey Falls

37.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Big Eddy Falls in Wisconsin, about 20 feet of drop LiDAR

Big Eddy Falls

42.9 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Wayka Falls in Wisconsin, about 15 feet of drop LiDAR

Wayka Falls

43.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft

All 15 Waterfalls Near Wausau

Grandfather Falls waterfall

Grandfather Falls

22.8 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
2.0 miles Unknown
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

36.6 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Peavey Falls in Wisconsin, about 27 feet of drop LiDAR

Peavey Falls

37.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Beartrap Falls in Wisconsin, about 25 feet of drop LiDAR

Beartrap Falls

42.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Big Eddy Falls in Wisconsin, about 20 feet of drop LiDAR

Big Eddy Falls

42.9 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Wayka Falls in Wisconsin, about 15 feet of drop LiDAR

Wayka Falls

43.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft
Freeman Falls waterfall

Freeman Falls

44.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Little Bull Falls in Wisconsin, about 18 feet of drop LiDAR

Little Bull Falls

44.5 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

44.6 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Gilmer Falls in Wisconsin, about 21 feet of drop LiDAR

Gilmer Falls

44.9 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Little Bull Falls in Wisconsin, about 29 feet of drop LiDAR

Little Bull Falls

45.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Big Smoky Falls in Wisconsin, about 29 feet of drop LiDAR

Big Smoky Falls

45.4 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Evergreen Falls in Wisconsin, about 31 feet of drop LiDAR

Evergreen Falls

45.6 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Ducknest Falls in Wisconsin, about 19 feet of drop LiDAR

Ducknest Falls

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

Sullivan Falls

46.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 80 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Wausau

Are there free waterfalls near Wausau?

There are 9 free waterfalls near Wausau, including Ducknest Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Wausau?

There are 10 easy waterfall hikes near Wausau, including Big Eddy Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Wausau?

There are 7 dog-friendly waterfalls near Wausau, including Big Eddy Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Wausau?

There are 8 kid-friendly waterfalls near Wausau, including Big Eddy Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Wausau?

The shortest waterfall hike near Wausau is Big Eddy Falls at 0.5 miles round trip.

Do any waterfalls near Wausau require permits?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Wausau?

Yes, 12 waterfalls near Wausau have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Wausau?

The closest waterfall to Wausau is Grandfather Falls, approximately 22.8 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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