Just 15 miles east of Superior, where the ancient Douglas Fault tears through Wisconsin’s northland, the Amnicon River tumbles and cascades through a landscape that feels almost too dramatic to be real. Amnicon Falls State Park features a series of delightful waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. You can view them from a covered foot bridge or 2 miles of trails along the river. Here, within 825 acres of towering pines and rocky gorges, four named waterfalls create a photographer’s paradise that rivals any destination in the Upper Midwest. This formation has created four amazing waterfalls and rolling rapids enjoyed by nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
A River Carved by Time
The story of Amnicon Falls begins deep in geological time, where the 46-mile Amnicon River cuts through both sides of the Douglas Fault. A beautiful, rugged, 2-mile stretch of the Amnicon River drops more than 200 feet over the ancient Douglas Fault through Amnicon Falls State Park. This dramatic topography creates the perfect conditions for spectacular waterfalls, each with its own character and photographic opportunities.
Amnicon Falls State Park located in Wisconsin’s Douglas County was originally established as of 1961 and is known for its beautiful waterfalls. However, the area’s human history stretches back much further. The park’s most iconic feature, the covered Horton Bridge, carries a fascinating story of innovation and community spirit. The design traces back to 1898 when Charles Horton took out a patent on the design. Originally built as a highway bridge elsewhere, it was moved to its current location in 1930 and covered in 1939, becoming a gathering place for local celebrations and parties.
Adding another layer to the park’s rich history is the remnant of a thriving brownstone quarry operation. This quarry was established in 1887 and during its 20 years of operation it produced over a million cubic feet of stone that was shipped to Superior, Duluth, Chicago, Sioux City, Omaha, St Paul, Minneapolis, and other midwestern cities. Today, photographers can explore the flooded quarry along the Thimbleberry Trail, where sandstone, called brownstone, was a popular building material about the turn of the 20th century.
Four Falls, Endless Possibilities
What sets Amnicon Falls apart from other waterfall destinations is the incredible concentration of photographic subjects within such a compact area. The close proximity of the waterfalls and rapids to each other combined with a large number of scenic viewing points make this one of the most accessible waterfall areas in the Midwest.
The Upper Falls and Lower Falls command center stage, where the river’s main channel thunders over successive 20-foot cascades. Lower Falls – the second or lower of the two – ends in a scenic sandstone canyon surrounded by tall red and white pines. Between these two dramatic drops spans the historic covered bridge, creating countless opportunities for compositional layering.
Snake Pit Falls offers a more intimate experience, where a small branch forks from the Amnicon River and flows over two narrow ledges into a narrow rocky gorge. While it receives less water flow than its larger siblings, Snake Pit Falls provides some of the park’s most compelling close-up photography opportunities.
The aptly named Now and Then Falls appears only when water levels permit, making it a special treat for visitors who time their arrival correctly. Now and Then Falls (8 feet) is in the seasonal east channel and forms only when river levels are medium or higher.
Best Times for Photography
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (April-May) brings the highest water levels and most dramatic flow rates, especially during snowmelt. However, access can be challenging due to muddy trails and variable weather conditions. The trade-off is spectacular water volume that makes every cascade roar with power.
Summer (June-August) offers the most comfortable shooting conditions and guaranteed access to all areas of the park. In July the water is not cold. It’s perfect on a hot day to take a refreshing swim in the temperate water. While water levels may be lower, the stable conditions allow for longer shooting sessions and easier exploration of different angles.
Fall (September-October) provides the perfect balance for many photographers. Typically the water levels for the falls are down in the fall, but the color of the fall foliage adds scenic compensation. The autumn colors create stunning contrast against the dark water and red sandstone, though photographers should be prepared for unpredictable weather.
Winter transforms the park into a crystalline wonderland. Snowshoeing and winter hiking are allowed in the park. There is a 1.5-mile designated snowshoe trail during winter. Ice formations add sculptural elements to compositions, though extreme cold can challenge both equipment and photographer endurance.
Golden Hour Magic
The park’s orientation and surrounding forest canopy create unique lighting challenges and opportunities. The best photography typically occurs during the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset, when the low-angle light can penetrate the forest canopy and illuminate the falls without creating harsh shadows.
Morning light often provides the most even illumination across the waterfalls, while evening light can create dramatic side-lighting effects on the mist and surrounding vegetation. The covered bridge photographs particularly well in late afternoon light, when the structure creates interesting shadow patterns across the water.
First-Time Visitor Photography Tips
Start with the Covered Bridge
The Covered Horton Bridge is a favorite subject for photographers. Position yourself downstream from the bridge for classic compositions that include both the structure and Lower Falls. The bridge also serves as an excellent vantage point for overhead shots of the cascades below.
Explore Multiple Perspectives
The minimal understory beneath the high canopy of pines make it easy to stray from the trails and wander from one scenic spot to the next. Don’t limit yourself to obvious viewpoints. The walking distance to view all the named waterfalls in the park is less than a mile, and the terrain is mostly flat. This accessibility allows time for thorough exploration and experimentation with different angles.
Work the Rocky Shoreline
You can view them from a covered foot bridge or trails along the river, or—if you’re sure-footed—from the river’s rocky shore. The park allows access to the water’s edge, providing opportunities for low-angle shots and intimate perspectives. However, exercise caution as rocks may be slippery.
Don’t Miss the Details
While the main waterfalls capture attention, skilled photographers will find compelling subjects in the smaller cascades, rock formations, and forest scenes throughout the park. The Park’s sprawling day use area features numerous shady picnic spots close to the river in attractive settings among red and white pines.
Essential Photography Equipment
Camera and Lens Recommendations
Wide-angle lenses (14-24mm) excel for capturing the full drama of the main waterfalls and the covered bridge in single compositions. The park’s compact layout makes ultra-wide perspectives particularly effective.
Standard zoom lenses (24-70mm) provide versatility for most shooting situations, from environmental portraits to moderate telephoto compression of the cascades.
Telephoto lenses (70-200mm and longer) isolate specific sections of the waterfalls and compress perspective to create more intimate compositions. These focal lengths also excel for detail work on ice formations during winter visits.
Essential Accessories
Sturdy tripod: Mandatory for long exposures that smooth water movement. The rocky terrain and potentially wet conditions demand a robust support system.
Neutral density filters: 3-stop and 6-stop ND filters enable the silky water effects that make waterfall photography so compelling, even in bright daylight conditions.
Polarizing filter: Reduces reflections on wet rocks and enhances color saturation, particularly effective for the tannin-stained water that characterizes the Amnicon River.
Weather protection: Waterproof camera covers and lens cloths prove essential given the misty environment and Wisconsin’s unpredictable weather patterns.
Extra batteries: Cold weather and long exposure photography drain batteries quickly. Carry spares and keep them warm when possible.
Technical Considerations
Focus stacking techniques prove valuable for achieving sharp detail from foreground rocks to distant waterfalls. The park’s multiple cascade levels create natural depth that benefits from extended depth of field.
HDR photography captures the extreme contrast between bright sky and shadowed gorges, though careful processing maintains the natural appearance that makes Amnicon Falls so compelling.
Long exposure times ranging from 1/2 second to several minutes create different moods, from slightly softened water to completely smooth, ethereal flows.
Planning Your Photography Visit
Amnicon Falls State Park sits almost on the very west tip of Lake Superior along U.S. highway 2/53. The park’s location makes it an excellent addition to any North Shore photography itinerary. Many photographers combine visits with nearby Pattison State Park, which features Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall.
Consider arriving early in the day to have the falls largely to yourself, especially during peak tourist seasons. Focusing on exploring places close to home, I visited Amnicon Falls State Park southeast of Superior with my family recently. I thought because it is a smaller park, we would probably spend only an hour there. But there are so many waterfalls and unique natural features packed into the small area, four hours quickly disappeared.
The park provides excellent facilities for extended photography sessions, including picnic areas for meals between shooting and clean restroom facilities. Find a selfie stand located just downstream from the covered bridge and lower falls for a great group photo. While clearly intended for casual visitors, this location also provides a useful reference point for understanding popular viewpoints.
Beyond the Waterfalls
Serious photographers will want to explore the Thimbleberry Trail, a 1-mile loop that offers different perspectives on the Amnicon River and access to the historic quarry site. This nature trail features a variety of scenery in a relatively short hike. The trail provides opportunities for forest photography, wildlife observation, and intimate river scenes away from the main waterfall crowds.
The trail follows the Amnicon below the main waterfall area, passing over low ridges with overlooks offering views of the river below. These elevated perspectives provide unique compositional opportunities that aren’t available from the main visitor areas.
A Photographer’s Paradise Awaits
Amnicon Falls State Park represents something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world: a place where natural beauty remains accessible yet unspoiled, where geological forces have created a landscape so photographically rich that even seasoned professionals discover new perspectives with each visit. No matter how many times I visit the park there are always different photographs to be taken.
Whether you’re drawn by the thundering main cascades, the historic covered bridge, or the intimate forest scenes along hidden trails, Amnicon Falls offers the kind of photographic diversity that transforms a simple day trip into an inspiring creative journey. Pack your camera, charge your batteries, and prepare to discover why this Wisconsin gem has captivated photographers for generations. The waterfalls are waiting, and your next great image might be just one click away.