Waterfalls of Brown County

Instagram envy is real! My niece is exploring Niagara Falls today and I could not be more jealous. Niagara Falls is definitely on my Field Trip Bucket List.

After I dropped off my son at school this morning, my car sort of headed itself towards Highway 57. I went along for the ride. We ended up at the Niagara Falls of Brown County, Wequiock Falls. Bear with me for a minute.  I admit Wequiock is no Niagara Falls, but it is a charming waterfall right here in our own neck of the woods.

Wequiock Falls is part of a geologic formation, the Niagara Escarpment, a sort of rock ridge that extends from eastern Wisconsin through the UP, into Ontario, Canada, and finally into, you guessed it, Niagara Falls. So we kind of do have our own Niagara Falls right here in Brown County.

While summer is a common time to go waterfalling, fall is also a great season to check out waterfalls. The leaves are just starting to change, the weather is still reasonable, and sometimes the realities of adulting mean you can’t jet off to Niagara Falls. While we don’t have many publicly accessible waterfalls in Brown County, but the ones we do have make great family field trips!

Wequiock Falls

I love the history and geology associated with the area around the waterfall. There’s an educational display near the parking lot detailing the history of the native people that lived in the area and associated archaeological projects; a Jean Nicolet statue and informational sign also stands nearby; and I love looking for fossils at the bottom of the falls.

And for the more adventurous, it’s simply gorgeous during the winter once the falls freeze!

There are picnic tables and bathrooms, making it a good picnic destination as well. (Free)

Fonferek’s Glen

Fonferek’s Glen is in Ledgeview; it borders right on a neighboring farm’s land. The first time I went (before they updated the parking lot) I wasn’t even sure if I was trespassing or not! The official park is pretty much what you see in the first picture, a beautiful view of the waterfall and a places to sit or picnic. There are also unofficial trails around the waterfall area. Like Wequiock Falls, it’s also beautiful in the winter; it’s worth a snowy hike! (Free)

Baird Creek

Commonly called Baird’s Creek, its “waterfall” is not only a great spot for senior photos but also to explore in rubber boots. The falls are pretty small, but charming and the trails along the creek are great for family outings. The land is also part of the Niagara Escarpment mentioned above. (Free)

Voyageur Park Dam

 

Voyageur Park doesn’t technically have a waterfall, but the dam feels like one to me. It’s a wonderful place to look for wildlife, fish, picnic, and just take a sunset stroll.

Green Bay Botanical Garden

The waterfall here is small but magical. The stream running near the Spring House ruin at the botanical garden makes it feel like I might discover a fairy peeking from behind a tree. There are so many hands-on things to do for families, it’s no a field trip no-brainer. (Admission required)

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wildlife Sanctuary has a beautiful artificial waterfall. It’s off for the winter season in this photo, but when it’s running, it makes a pretty photo backdrop, and you get to feed the ducks and geese while you’re there. (free)

Maribel Caves

Maribel Caves is not actually in Brown County, but it’s so close that I couldn’t help but include it. I haven’t been there in forever, but I want to get back, not only for the small gentle waterfall that can be seen from the trail, but also to explore the caves. The trail winds along the West Twin River. The river doesn’t boast a large waterfall, but rather small ones similar to what you night see at Baird’s Creek. (Free)

Am I missing any local waterfalls? Please share your favorites; I’d love to discover some new ones!