OUTDOORS

You don't need to go far to find these 5 Milwaukee area waterfalls

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Summer might be over, but that doesn't mean you have to stop exploring some of Wisconsin's parks and waterfalls.

Not everyone has time for a big road trip but still would like to experience nature closer to home. Here are five waterfalls near Milwaukee that you can plan to visit for your next exploration.

Whitnall Park waterfall

While there's lots to explore at Milwaukee County's largest park, don't forget to hike the trail winding around the lake where you'll find a waterfall on the north end.

You'll take the Lake Loop, an easy mile and a half trail that follows the shoreline of Mallard Lake to the waterfall into the Root River. The trail leads through wetland, lowland and forest, and along the base of the prairie.

Find it: Whitnall Park is at 5879 S. 92 St. in Franklin. You can find parking in the lots along Whitnall Park Drive. The park is free to visit.

Kletzsch Park Dam

If you're in Glendale, you can check out Kletzsch Park Dam on Milwaukee River Parkway near the Oak Leaf Trail.

The dam is being repaired as Milwaukee County has partnered with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to address dam repairs and improve conditions for fish and other native species.

The dam was built for recreational purposes in 1934. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ordered Milwaukee County to repair the dam in 2013 after years of vegetation growth.

Find it: Kletzsch Park Dam is at 6560 N. Milwaukee River Parkway in Glendale.

Greenfield Park waterfall

The waterfall at Greenfield Park in West Allis as seen on June 5, 2020.

Yes, there is a small waterfall in Greenfield Park. If you're walking on the Oak Leaf trail, you might have trouble finding it.

But the water flows from the main lagoon in the park into a smaller lagoon to the east of Park Drive. You'll find the man-made waterfall nearby, just west of the smallest lagoon.

The best time to see water flowing through the waterfall is in the spring, but you should be able to take a good photo with water flowing in that area after a rainfall.

Find it: Greenfield Park is at 2028 S. 124 St. in West Allis

Grant Park, Mill Pond Dam

Looking to visit the historic Mill Pond Dam? It was built by John Fowle in the early 1840s near the mouth of Oak Creek to power a mill to grind corn, wheat and barley. The mill provided flour in southeastern Wisconsin and ran until 1932 when it was torn down.

The original granite milestones, made by John Fowle and William Sivyer, still exist today and have been placed on either side of the dam along with a commemorative plaque.

Find it: Located off Mill Pond, Mill Pond dam is at 1726 Mill Road in South Milwaukee.

Lake Park waterfall

The Lake Michigan shoreline is seen north of the city near Lake Park in Milwaukee along North Lincoln Memorial Drive on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

After being restored in 2010, the stone waterfall in Lake Park is 30-feet tall and stands as the highest in southeastern Wisconsin. The waterfall was rebuilt out of mostly recycled Lannon stone.

The waterfall is fed by drainage from the nearby par 3 Lake Park golf course. A 16-inch pipe funnels runoff from the course into the ravine about 15 feet below its lip.

Find it: Lake Park is at 3233 E. Kenwood Boulevard in Milwaukee. You can find parking in the county parking lot at Lake Park Bistro, off Newberry Boulevard.

There are several other waterfalls across Wisconsin

Snake Pit Falls plunges into a pool along the Amnicon River at Amnicon Falls State Park near South Range.

There are plenty of waterfalls to visit across Wisconsin. You just might have to drive a little to see them. Consider visiting Big Manitou and Lost Creek, Copper, Potato River and Interstate, among others.

Evan Frank contributed to this report.

View Comments