Copper Falls State Park RV & Campground Guide
Wisconsin
- Home
- State Parks
- Wisconsin
- Copper Falls State Park
Sitting atop ancient lava flows, Copper Falls State Park is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Wisconsin. A main attraction is Coopers Waterfall, which drops 30 feet and is an easy 1.5-mile walk from the main parking lot. The park was established in 1929, and while visiting, you can see buildings, picnic areas, and a log footbridge spanning the river that was constructed decades ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Since its opening, the park has been a destination for outdoor recreation in both summer and winter for exploring the trails, watersports, and fishing. In the forest of the park, you'll see a wide variety of trees, plant species, and critters big and small. A 65-foot observation tower gives you a stunning overlook of Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands, and Mt. Whittelsey, the highest point in the Penokee Range.
Nearby Cities:
Mellen, WI
Highbridge, WI
Gurney, WI
Ironwood, WI
Spring 38-66 F
Summer 75-79 F
Fall 39-68 F
Winter 22-26 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Copper Falls State Park
Campground Accommodations
North Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, concession stand
South Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 30 feet
Other amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, dump station
Wildwood Haven Resort & Campground
Wildwood Haven, along the shore of Long Lake, has beautiful views and lake access and guests can rent boats to enjoy the lake. The resort is also near more than 60 waterfalls, Lake Superior, and the Apostle Island National Lakeshore.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: showers, playground, boat launch & rentals
Northern Lure Resort & Campground
The campground is right on a lake, with a beach area for swimming, manicured lawns, a bar, horseshoes, and fishing available off the dock. You can even cook your catch in the available campsite fire pits.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: n/a
Other amenities: playground, boat launch, showers
What to Do at
Copper Falls State Park
If you are a summer recreation enthusiast, you'll enjoy canoeing or kayaking on Loon Lake, dropping a line in the lake or nearby Bad River, or setting out on one of the many hiking and biking trails through Copper Falls State Park. Make time to stop and enjoy the wonder of the waterfalls as you venture through the area. If you are more of a winter fan, the park plows and maintains access for cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing once the snow arrives. Hunting is also available in designated park areas during the appropriate seasons.
Rent a canoe, take a swim, or enjoy a family picnic. Dozens of bird species, several mammals, and hundreds of plant varieties fill the park with natural beauty for viewing, so be sure to bring your binoculars.
Inside Copper Falls State Park
There are lots of things to do at Copper Falls State Park. From water fun to other outdoor activities during any season, here are some of the things you might want to try:
Hiking: There are more than 17 miles of hiking trails in the park, and many of them offer overlooks of the waterfalls that make the area famous.
Biking: Copper Falls has two one-way mountain bike trails that are used for skiing in winter.
Swimming: There is a sand beach at Loon Lake where visitors can swim. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Boating: There is a car-top boat launch on Loon Lake for small canoes and kayaks. The lake is an electric motor only lake, but there are several other lakes near the park with more options for boating.
Fishing: Copper Falls is in the middle of some prime fishing, with several lakes around offering all kinds of fishing opportunities. The Bad and Tyler Forks Rivers in the park are both good places to catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout and Loon Lake is home to largemouth bass, northern pike, and panfish.
Hunting and trapping: Hunting and trapping is allowed in open areas of the park during the appropriate seasons. There are restrictions on what types of traps can be used and where in the park it can be done so be sure to check regulations when planning your trip.
Cross-country skiing: There are 13.7 miles of classical ski trails and 6.5 miles of skate ski trails. The trails are groomed on a regular basis.
Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing and winter hiking are allowed on all trails at the park except the groomed ski trails.
Fishing
Loon Lake provides an opportunity to hook a largemouth bass, northern pike, or walleye, and an accessible fishing pier is available. You can catch rainbow, brown, and brook trout in the Bad and Tyler River Forks.
Geocaching
The Wisconsin Geocaching Association hosts a hidden geocache in the park as part of the State Parks series. You can take a prize from the container, but remember to bring along a family-friendly item to replace it with for the next treasure hunter.
Stargazing
Copper Falls State Park is a great place to view the stars because it is far from city lights. One of the best places to view the night sky is from the beach, where you will see the heavens above reflected below in the water. Or you can bring along an evening snack and set up a telescope at one of the tables in the picnic area.
Flora and Fauna
Hemlock, sugar maple, white pine, and yellow birch forests make up the woodlands of Copper Falls. You'll also find second-growth forests of red oak, ironwood, and pine. Hundreds of plant species cover the ground where deer, black bears, raccoons, chipmunks, skunks, and red squirrels run free. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, who have been reintroduced to the park recently. Birders may be able to add ruffed grouse, eagles, turkey vultures, and loons to their journals. In addition, woodpeckers and songbirds fill the air with the sounds of nature. Closer to the water, you are likely to encounter turtles and frogs.
Hiking
More than 17 miles of trails wind through the park, several giving you access to waterfall views. Doughboys Nature Trail includes a spur to the observation tower. A section of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs from Vermont to North Dakota, passes through the park for more than four miles. The Red Granite Falls Trail offers 2.5 miles of the most varied terrain and ecosystems at the park and ends at Red Granite Falls.
Boating
Carry-in access for canoes and kayaks is available on Loon Lake. There is a boat launch, and you can rent a boat or stand-up paddleboard at the park office. Anglers can use electric motors to troll the lake, but the gas-powered variety is prohibited.
Swimming
A designated swimming area is available at the 300-foot sandy beach on Loon Lake. A paved accessible trail leads to the water's edge, and restrooms and picnic tables are nearby.
Biking
Takesson Trails is a two-loop hiking and biking trail offering scenic views of the Bad River. You can explore the 1.7-mile Vahtera Trail, which takes you through the forest.
How to Get to
Copper Falls State Park
Copper Falls State Park covers an area in north central Wisconsin, just north of Mellen. From Mellen, take Highway 169 north to reach the entrance to the park.
Entering Copper Falls State Park
There are several parking lots throughout the park. One parking lot sits at the entrance near the Red Granite Falls trailhead. Other parking areas are near the beach, the ballfield, and the river.
As with all Wisconsin State Parks, you must have a vehicle admission sticker for entrance. This sticker can be purchased online, at a park office, or through a DNR self-registration station. The daily rate is $8 for residents or $11 for non-residents.
Copper Falls State Park Residents : $8.0
Copper Falls State Park Out-of-State : $11.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Copper Falls State Park
Copper Falls is a popular destination all year round. In the warmer months, hiking and water sports are popular. During the winter, trails are available for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and you can ice fish on the lake.
More than 200 species of wildlife call Copper Falls State Park home. You'll see deer, raccoons, elk, snakes, turtles, woodpeckers, and butterflies, to name a few.
There are 32 RV camping spots with electrical hookups in the North Campground. The South campground has 19 primitive campsites suitable for RVs. All sites have a fire ring, picnic table, and restrooms nearby.
Reservations are required at the park. Reservations can be made online, by phone, or with the park office upon arrival. Nightly fees for the sites range from $20 to $30 for camping spots with electrical hookups.
Supervised and leashed pets are welcome at Copper Falls, and you are expected to clean up after your four-legged companions. There is a pet-friendly picnic area abutting the Bad River to give pets water access.
Related
Millbury, Ohio RV Rental Deals Hopedale, Illinois RV Rentals McCarr, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Quechee, Vermont RV Rentals Lebanon, Maine RV Rentals Bourbon, Missouri RV Rental Deals Rosebud, Missouri RV Rental Deals Nellis AFB, Nevada RV Rental Deals Lake Lucerne, Florida RV Rentals Abbotsford, Wisconsin RV Rental Deals