Copper Falls Hike
Waterfall | Wisconsin
1.7 mi loop
Copper Falls Hike at a Glance
The Copper Falls hike via the Doughboys Nature Trail is 1.7 mi loop.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,090 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Doughboys Nature Trail |
| Distance | 1.7 mi loop |
Your time: about 35 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 40 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 320 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 1.7 mi distance for this hike is verified (dnr.wisconsin.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Copper Falls
Copper Falls is a waterfall in Wisconsin, on land managed by Wisconsin DNR, Copper Falls State Park.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Doughboys Nature Trail: 1.7 miles as a loop, from Concession building parking area. Distance from dnr.wisconsin.gov.
Before You Go
- A vehicle admission sticker is required. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- Pets are not allowed on the Doughboys Nature Trail. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- A portion of the trail is closed in winter because ice and snow make the rock stairs very slippery. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- A 0.5-mile universal trail leads to an overlook of Copper Falls. (dnr.wisconsin.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Wisconsin DNR, Copper Falls State Park for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Copper Falls?
The Doughboys Nature Trail to Copper Falls is 1.7 miles as a loop.
Where does the Copper Falls hike start?
It starts from Concession building parking area.
Is there a fee to hike to Copper Falls?
A vehicle admission sticker is required.
Are dogs allowed on the Copper Falls trail?
Pets are not allowed on the Doughboys Nature Trail.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Copper Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- dnr.wisconsin.gov
- Distance
- dnr.wisconsin.gov
- Falls location
- gowaterfalling.com
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Copper Falls.