Photo Credits (3)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Hamilton Falls
Hamilton Falls is a low ledge, only a few feet high, that spans the full width of the North Fork Eau Claire River in the Town of Wilson, northeast Eau Claire County. It sits at the Hamilton Falls wayside and canoe landing on Eau Claire County Forest land. It is a roadside stop with a short, steep scramble down to the water rather than a hike.
The Setting
Hamilton Falls sits at 971 feet within Eau Claire County Forest, in the foothills of Wisconsin.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no developed trail. From a pull-out along Hamilton Falls Road, a short drainage path drops steeply to the river; loose dirt and rocks make it less stable than it looks.
What to Expect
A wide, low ledge across the North Fork Eau Claire River in county forest, with a canoe landing nearby.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hamilton Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $5.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Hamilton Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The path to the water is steep with loose dirt and rocks. Rocks at the ledge can be slippery.
Know when to go.
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Is Hamilton Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Hamilton Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 61°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
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.
Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 32 feet of drop through Hamilton Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 967 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 33 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 18 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast 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
- 967 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 32 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- 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 southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take Hamilton Falls Road in the Town of Wilson, Eau Claire County, and follow the signs toward Memorial Park. A 2019 visitor parked at a pull-out where moving water can be heard and climbed down to the river.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside pull-outs along Hamilton Falls Road serve the wayside and canoe landing.
Elevation
971 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.796350° N, -90.962370° W
Land Management
Managed by CNTY
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear shoes with good grip for the loose path down to the river. Hunting is allowed at the Hamilton Falls wayside during established seasons, so wear bright colors in fall.
Where to Stay
FairBridge Inn & Suites Thorp
Super 8 by Wyndham Osseo WI
Smartwood Inn
AmeriVu Inn And Suites
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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Additional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and numerous bird species. Visitors may also encounter small mammals and amphibians near the creek.
Cities near Hamilton Falls
Other waterfalls named Hamilton Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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