Bull Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no trail to these falls, only an off-trail bushwhack on county forest land. The two-track road and the land across the bridge above the falls are posted private.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
1.2 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Bull Falls
Bull Falls is on the North Branch Pike River in Marinette County Forest land near Dunbar, in northeast Wisconsin. The upper falls is a long slide ending in a shelf drop, followed by lower falls of mixed shelves and slides. There is no trail; reaching it means a difficult bushwhack of about 0.6 miles each way along the river.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Twelvefoot Falls (12 ft) lies 1.2 miles to the southwest.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no formal trail. From the parking pullout, the route is an off-trail bushwhack south along the river through dense thickets, cedar groves, tall marsh grass and hardwood forest, about 0.6 miles each way with little elevation change. Listen for the falls and look for the bridge above them; progress is slow.
What to Expect
Expect a long sliding upper falls ending in a shelf drop, with a lower set of shelves and slides below. The best ground view of the upper falls is where the river bends sharply just below its top; the lower falls are hard to see from the steep, brushy banks.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bull Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Bull Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit when water flow is typically at its peak. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warm weather for outdoor activities.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
There is no trail, footing is uneven, and parts of the route are marshy. Do not get too close to the top of the slide; a fall into the river here would mean a dangerous swim.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pike River, 8.8 miles away, not on Bull Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
125 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 82 years of record
2.57 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge PIKE RIVER AT AMBERG, WI (14 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
135 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
146 cfs
4/10Fri
Barely Flowing
133 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
123 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
120 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
128 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
127 cfs
5/10Best window: Fri — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to late June, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Dunbar hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Bull Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Bull Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 62°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 127 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Wisconsin.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The bare-earth surface loses about 31 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,039 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 30 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 7 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,039 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 31 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From County Forest Road 517 near Dunbar, follow the next unnamed road to the east north to the start of an unmarked two-track, and park at the pullout there. The two-track leads to posted private property, so do not follow it; head along the river on county forest land instead.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park in the pullout at the start of the two-track, before the private property sign. There is no developed lot.
Elevation
1,037 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.595794° N, -88.121230° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Carry a GPS or offline map, wear long pants and waterproof boots, and allow extra time for the slow bushwhack. The bridge above the falls leads onto private land; stay on the county forest side.
Where to Stay
Pine Mountain Resort
Comfort Inn Iron Mountain North
Four Seasons Island Resort
Mountain Host Motor Inn
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Bear Lake Campground (Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, WI)
19.8 miles away · 27 sites
Overview If you are interested in a quiet campground and excellent pike fishing, Bear Lake Campground is for you. Campsites are situated along the wooded shore and ridge with outstanding views of the lake.Recreation The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Those most enjoyed at Bear Lake are fishing, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. The Rat River trail is a good nearby hiking opportunity.Facilities Bear Lake Campground has 27 sites. A majority
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Eighteen Foot Falls and the roadside Carney Rapids are also on the North Branch Pike River near Dunbar.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also spot fish in the river.
Cities near Bull Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Bull Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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