Black River Falls — Local services in Ely Township

Read Erica England-Hoffman's review for instructions on how to get here. Her instructions were perfect. I followed Google directions about 90% of the way until it told me to turn down a road that doesn't exist. I continued driving and the next road I came up on was island lake rd (Co Rd CS). The next road, Co Rd CCP (seasonal road) was a somewhat rough rd at the beginning. Lots of medium sized rocks on the road. You definitely have to watch the road close. After a while the road turns to sand and shortly after that you come up to a fork. The right side is a driveway. They have a metal sign labeled black river falls pointing to the left and shortly after that you come up on the parking area marked with rocks. There is a broken sign on a tree next to the trail letting you know which way to go. You follow the trail and come up to 2 concrete slabs on either side of a valley where it looks like there used to be a bridge. It looks like there could be a trail to the left or right, but I went to the left. It's somewhat steep and rocky, but definitely doable. Just be careful. No exact trail just follow the open areas and you'll come up to a rickety looking bridge. Cross that and do a little more rock climbing and you're there! All in all its a very short walk just a little intense. It's a beautiful waterfall and the surrounding scenery is gorgeous too! There are dogs in the area. Probably at the house next to this trail. They were barking like crazy. My husband took the opportunity to scare me saying they sounded like coyotes. I told him they were dogs but he insisted they sounded like a pack of coyotes coming our way. Don't fall for it like I did lol it made me rush through these falls when I would've stayed to enjoy...

Beautiful falls! Directions we had were incorrect, and they were also incorrect in the Travel Marquette booklet. We looked a long time and looked some more even after asking for directions... so hopefully we can help someone else out! They were worth the long search though. When heading south on 581 turn right on to Co Rd CS (Island Lake Rd) and follow until the road curves to the right... there is a faded wooden sign at the curve pointing in the right direction. Then turn right on to Co Rd CCP (seasonal road) and follow for 0.4 mile where you will arrive at a parking area marked with rocks. You can hear the falls from the parking area. Take the trail to the right (east) to get to the falls. There is a broken sign high in the tree marking this trail. About 0.3 mile...

The easiest way to find the parking area is to search for "Parking for Black River Falls" in Google Maps. This will bring you right there.

Once you park, take the trail to the right. When you get to the abutment from the former bridge, turn right. There's a large fallen tree to step over. You'll go down some really steep sections of rock that are covered in pine needles, so take care not to slip.

This trail is not easy, but it's not impossible. Wear grippy boots and watch where you step. Once you're on the bank of the river, don't step too close to the edge or you risk falling in. Keep going down to the right and you'll make it to a bridge that will take you to the base of the falls.

Great payout at the end. Just be prepared for the moderate physical...