Waterfall Hikes Near Appleton, WI

233,947 residents
Chicago Time Zone
12 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Paper mills once ran on the drop the Fox River makes through Appleton, though today's hikeable falls sit farther afield. Closest is Cato Falls, half a mile of easy walking on the Manitowoc River. Up in Wolf River country, a half-mile path serves Big Eddy Falls and Freeman Falls needs a mile round trip. Little Bull Falls matches Cato at a half mile. Twelve falls land within the circle, everything with data rated easy, and dogs come along wherever trails are measured.

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

11 of 12 waterfalls near Appleton are flowing strongly today

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

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Veterans Day

Mostly Sunny · 56°F

Thu 53°F Rain Showers
Fri 46°F Partly Sunny
Sat 49°F Sunny
Sun 56°F Sunny
Mon 59°F Mostly Sunny
Tue 58°F Sunny
Vet 56°F Mostly Sunny Best

Flowing best right now near Appleton

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Beartrap Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th percentile
  2. 2 Big Eddy Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th percentile
  3. 3 Freeman Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th percentile
  4. 4 Gilmer Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th percentile
  5. 5 Little Bull Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th percentile
  6. 6 Peavey Falls Roaring · 245 cfs 100th 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 (8 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

30.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Little Bull Falls in Wisconsin, about 29 feet of drop LiDAR

Little Bull Falls

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

Gilmer Falls

41.7 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
Unknown Unknown
Freeman Falls waterfall

Freeman Falls

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

Wayka Falls

43.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft

All 12 Waterfalls Near Appleton

Cato Falls waterfall

Cato Falls

30.2 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 75 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Little Bull Falls in Wisconsin, about 29 feet of drop LiDAR

Little Bull Falls

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

Gilmer Falls

41.7 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
Unknown Unknown
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

42 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Freeman Falls waterfall

Freeman Falls

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

Wayka Falls

43.1 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
1.0 miles 100 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Big Eddy Falls in Wisconsin, about 20 feet of drop LiDAR

Big Eddy Falls

44 miles away
Wisconsin
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Beartrap Falls in Wisconsin, about 25 feet of drop LiDAR

Beartrap Falls

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

Big Smoky Falls

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

Ducknest Falls

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

Sullivan Falls

49.3 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 80 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Peavey Falls in Wisconsin, about 27 feet of drop LiDAR

Peavey Falls

49.7 miles away
Wisconsin
Easy
0.6 miles 50 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Appleton

Are there free waterfalls near Appleton?

There are 9 free waterfalls near Appleton, including Big Eddy Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Appleton?

There are 8 easy waterfall hikes near Appleton, including Cato Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Appleton?

There are 5 dog-friendly waterfalls near Appleton, including Cato 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 Cato Falls at 0.5 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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