Copper Falls State Park: A Complete Guide
2026 Local Guide
Copper Falls State Park has pulled me back more than once — I’ve walked the Doughboys Trail across different seasons, stood at the Devil’s Gate overlook, waded the gravel bars along the Bad River, and climbed the observation tower to see how far the view really stretches. This guide covers everything I’ve found across those visits: the waterfalls, the trails, exactly which parts are wheelchair accessible, and what to know before you go.
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Quick Facts: Copper Falls State Park
| Location | 36764 Copper Falls Road, Mellen, WI 54546 (Ashland County) |
| Established | 1929 |
| Park Size | Approximately 3,068 acres (confirmed via official park records and independent trail guide) |
| Main Waterfalls | Copper Falls (29-ft drop) and Brownstone Falls (30-ft drop), meeting at the confluence with Tyler Forks |
| Hours | 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily |
| Admission | Daily pass: $13 Wisconsin plates / $16 nonresident. 12-month pass: $28 WI resident / $13 WI senior (65+) / $50 nonresident. Rates current per 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, effective through 2026 — confirm at dnr.wisconsin.gov before your visit, as rates can change. |
| Accessibility | Half-mile accessible segment of Doughboys Trail; accessible cabin, fishing pier, and adaptive kayak rental |
| Park Phone | (715) 274-5123 |
Plan Your Trip With My Favorite Resources
Best accommodation site: Booking.com
Book day tours here: Viator.com
Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing
The Geology Behind the Falls
Copper Falls gets its drama from geology most Wisconsin parks don’t have. The Bad River drops 29 feet through a narrow gorge carved into ancient volcanic rock, and just downstream, Brownstone Falls plunges another 30 feet where Tyler Forks joins the river in a dramatic confluence. The canyon walls rise as much as 100 feet on either side, and the exposed red-brown rock — visible along most of the gorge trail — is the same lava flow that shaped much of the Lake Superior basin millions of years ago.
If dramatic rock formations are your thing, Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is another Great Lakes destination where the geology does the talking – sandstone cliffs instead of lava rock, but the same sense of the land’s deep history on display.
Things to Do at Copper Falls State Park
1. Hike the Doughboys Nature Trail
The Doughboys Nature Trail is the park’s signature hike — a 1.7-mile loop that takes about 45 minutes to an hour and passes both major waterfalls plus the Cascades. It’s well-marked with observation platforms at each major viewpoint, but it’s not an easy stroll: there are real stairs along the gorge rim, and the trail can be slippery when wet.
Work on the trail around the rim of the gorge began in the 1920s, led by returning World War I veterans — which is where the trail gets its name.
2. Explore Devil’s Gate and the Cascades
Past the main falls, the trail continues to Devil’s Gate, where towering conglomerate rock walls frame a narrower stretch of river. This section, along with the Cascades below Copper Falls, is where the park’s geology feels most immediate.
3. Climb the 65-Foot Observation Tower
A one-mile spur off the Doughboys Trail leads to a historic observation tower. On a clear day, you can see Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay roughly 25 miles away, along with the surrounding Penokee Range. Getting there is the hard part: 142 steps built into the hillside, plus a moderate incline before you reach the base of the tower itself. This is not a casual add-on — budget real energy for it.
4. Walk a Piece of the North Country Trail
Over four miles of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail run through Copper Falls, following the Bad River gorge through old-growth hemlock forest. It’s quieter than the Doughboys loop and a good option if you’d rather skip the crowds.
5. Hike to Red Granite Falls
The 2.5-mile Red Granite Falls Trail starts near Loon Lake and leads through hardwood forest to a scenic set of rapids tumbling over exposed red granite. Unlike the main falls, this area isn’t fenced off, so you can walk right out onto the rocks. Dogs are welcome on this trail, unlike the Doughboys loop.
6. Relax at Loon Lake
Loon Lake has a 300-foot sand beach, and the water is open to electric motors only, which keeps things calm for swimmers and paddlers. A canoe and kayak launch sits right at the beach.
Calm, tannin-colored stretch of the Bad River lined with pine forest
Family wading along a gravel bar on the Bad River in summer
7. Mountain Bike the Tyler’s Forks and Vahtera Trails
Two one-way trails, open to both hikers and mountain bikers when snow-free, total just over four miles. They’re a good option if you want to cover more ground than the main hiking trails allow.
8. Camp in the Park
Copper Falls offers 55 total sites split between the north and south campgrounds, plus six plowed sites for winter camping and one backpack site about two miles from the parking area along the Bad River. The park also has a rustic, wheelchair-accessible cabin that sleeps up to four, with a double bed and a bunk bed on foam pads. Pets aren’t allowed on the Doughboys Trail, so if you’re camping with a dog, plan your route around the campsite’s marked pet trail instead.
9. Picnic at the Historic CCC Shelter
The main day-use area includes a large picnic ground shaded by pines and oaks, with a rustic stone-fireplace shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It’s a good home base before or after the Doughboys Trail.
Accessibility
Copper Falls is more accessible than most people expect from a rugged Northwoods park, but the accessible portion is specific and limited — worth knowing exactly what it covers before you go.
Mobility
A half-mile segment of the Doughboys Trail is graded for wheelchairs, with its own separate, designated parking area. This accessible segment covers the footbridge over Tyler Forks, an overlook of the gorge below Brownstone Falls, and a view of Copper Falls from a footbridge on the east side of the gorge.
The full 1.7-mile Doughboys loop is not accessible — it includes real stairs, and multiple visitors have noted it isn’t stroller- or wheelchair-friendly beyond the accessible segment. If you use a mobility device or have joint issues, plan to see both major falls from the accessible half-mile and turn back rather than attempting the full loop. The observation tower is also not accessible: it requires climbing 142 steps plus an incline.
Beyond the trail, the park offers a wheelchair-accessible rustic cabin at the campground, an accessible fishing pier, and an adaptive tandem kayak available through the park’s rental program.
Vision, Hearing, and Sensory
We could not confirm any dedicated audio guides, ASL-interpreted programming, or sensory-friendly hours at this park. If these accommodations matter for your visit, call the park directly at (715) 274-5123 to ask before you go.
Visiting with a Mixed-Ability Group
Copper Falls works well for groups where not everyone hikes at the same pace or ability level, as long as you plan around two natural split points rather than trying to keep everyone together the whole time.
Together: The Accessible Half-Mile
Start as a full group on the accessible segment of the Doughboys Trail. It covers both major waterfalls — the overlook of the gorge below Brownstone Falls and the view of Copper Falls itself — so everyone sees the headline sights before anyone has to make a call about continuing further.
Split Point 1: The Rest of the Doughboys Loop
Past the accessible segment, the remaining loop involves real stairs and uneven footing to reach Devil’s Gate and the Cascades. This is where more mobile members can continue while others head back or move ahead to the next stop — nobody misses the main falls either way.
Split Point 2: The Observation Tower
The 142-step, one-mile spur to the tower is worth treating as fully optional, even for able-bodied members. It’s a genuine climb, not a casual add-on, so frame it as a side trip the group can do separately rather than something everyone should tag along for.
Regroup: Loon Lake
Loon Lake is the best place for the group to come back together — flat access, a sand beach, and calm water make it a good finish whether someone did the full loop and the tower or took the shorter accessible route.
If anyone in the group wants more of a challenge afterward, the Red Granite Falls Trail is a good add-on for the more mobile members only — the rocks there are unfenced, so it’s not a good fit for anyone with balance concerns.
The History Behind Copper Falls
Copper Falls became a Wisconsin State Park in 1929. Much of what visitors see today — the log picnic shelter, the CCC-era trail work, the stone fireplace at the day-use area — was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, part of the same New Deal-era program responsible for infrastructure across many Midwest state parks. The Doughboys Trail itself dates back further: work on the path around the gorge rim began in the 1920s, led by returning World War I veterans, or “doughboys,” which is how the trail earned its name.
Where to Stay
Camping
The north and south campgrounds together offer 55 sites, with six plowed sites available for winter camping. A rustic accessible cabin and a single backpack site round out the options. Reservations are required for all sites through the Wisconsin DNR reservation system.
Nearby Lodging
Best for Groups & Right at the Park — Copper Falls Cabin
This four-bedroom farmhouse sits on 80 acres bordering the state park itself, sleeps up to eight, and includes access to a private observation tower with panoramic views. It’s within an hour of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, making it a strong home base for a longer Northwoods trip, not just a Copper Falls day visit.
Most Unique — English Lake Escape
A three-bedroom lodge in Mellen with kayaks, a canoe, and a rowboat included for guests, plus in-floor radiant heating and a gas fireplace for cooler visits. Pontoon rentals are also available nearby.
Best for Winter & Ski Season — Whitecap Mountains Resort
About 20 miles away in Upson, this resort offers ski-in/ski-out access in winter and sits close to Potato River Falls and Lake Superior. A good pick if you’re combining a Copper Falls stop with a ski trip or exploring further into the Penokee Range.
Best Budget & Closest Hotel — Cobblestone Inn
Right in Mellen, just minutes from the park entrance. For more hotel selection, Ashland — about 30 minutes northwest — has additional options including the Cobblestone Inn & Suites and Best Western The Hotel Chequamegon.
Worth a detour while you’re in the area: Potato River Falls (11 miles from Mellen) and Weber Lake (14 miles) both make good add-on stops.
Important Park Rules
- Pets are not allowed on the Doughboys Nature Trail — no exceptions, and there’s no way to view the falls with a pet from that trail
- Dogs are welcome on the Red Granite Falls Trail and other park trails outside the Doughboys loop
- A Wisconsin state park admission sticker or day pass is required for vehicle entry
- The full Doughboys loop involves real stairs and uneven footing — wear sturdy shoes
Copper Falls State Park: FAQs
As of 2026 rates (per 2025 Wisconsin Act 15), a daily pass costs $13 for Wisconsin-plated vehicles or $16 for nonresidents. A 12-month pass runs $28 for Wisconsin residents ($13 for seniors 65+) or $50 for nonresidents. Confirm current pricing at dnr.wisconsin.gov before your visit, since rates can change.
Partially. A half-mile segment of the Doughboys Trail is graded for wheelchairs and covers views of both major waterfalls. The full 1.7-mile loop and the observation tower are not accessible.
Not at the falls themselves — swimming isn’t the draw there. Loon Lake, elsewhere in the park, has a 300-foot sand beach suited for swimming.
Yes, on most trails, but not on the Doughboys Nature Trail. Red Granite Falls Trail and the North Country Trail segment welcome leashed dogs.
If you don’t mind 142 steps plus an incline, yes — the view stretches to Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay on a clear day. Skip it if stairs are a concern; the main falls don’t require this climb.
Copper Falls drops 29 feet through the main gorge, while Brownstone Falls drops 30 feet just downstream, at the point where Tyler Forks meets the Bad River. Both are visible from the Doughboys Trail.
Most visitors complete the 1.7-mile loop in 45 minutes to an hour, longer with stops for photos.
Yes — the combination of two waterfalls, a dramatic volcanic gorge, and a genuinely accessible half-mile trail segment makes it one of the more rewarding stops in northern Wisconsin, even for a short visit.
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