Waterfalls are always moving and always changing. In the spring they can roar with power, as snowmelt tumbles and rushes downstream. It’s an amazing sight, but what if you can’t make a spring hike and you miss the high water. Is a Wisconsin waterfall hike still worth it? As I discovered in the Northern Wisconsin community of Washburn, the answer is yes! I hiked Houghton Falls near Washburn and picked my way through a quiet and beautiful place called Echo Dells. Was the river roaring when I arrived? No, and I absolutely loved it. Here’s why.

Washburn is a little town that’s a destination for people who love the outdoors.
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It’s in Bayfield County, and it’s right on a wild stretch of Lake Superior shoreline. It draws a lot of paddlers, boaters, hikers, and nature lovers.
Just north of town is a hidden gem called Houghton Falls.
Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState
When I arrived, I parked in a small lot and hiked a series of boardwalks into the forest.
Soon, I came across something incredible – Echo Dells.
Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState
I followed a side trail into another world.

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Echo Dells is an area of towering sandstone cliffs, caves, canyons, and rock formations.
Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState
These are ancient rocks, dating from the Pre-Cambrian era (a time period that ended more than 500 million years ago).
During the spring, there’s a waterfall that tumbles through here.
Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState
When I was on the trail, it was more of a light trickle, but I didn’t care in the least. This place is awesome. I continued my hike to a hidden cove that’s simply magical.
Farther down the trail, I found the rocky Lake Superior shoreline.
Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState
Waves crashed in, and despite the wind, I could have stayed here forever. It was amazing!

I love this area of Wisconsin – there’s so much to discover, even if you only have time for a single hike. This Wisconsin waterfall hike is one of the best hikes near Washburn. Planning a Wisconsin scenic adventure? Here are some must-haves for nature lovers.

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Houghton Falls Road, Houghton Falls Rd, Bayview, WI 54891, USA