![]() The chipmunks and the red squirrels are fun to watch as they, too, scour your campsite for scraps. They watched us eat potato chips and swooped down to pick up any chips that fell to the ground. Blue Jays are smart here they go from campsite to campsite looking for tidbits from your meals. We could hear the conversations of all the campers on every side of us, and we even got serenaded a couple of times by groups singing, and one fellow playing his guitar and singing John Denver's "Country Roads." We played pickle ball on the basketball court, saw Limpy the gosling trying to keep up with the family, saw a hummingbird bathing in the spray at Little Manitou Falls, and took the geology self-guided walk to learn about the fascinating history of the miners and Native Americans to see what they'd left behind. ![]() The campsites are kind of close together, so you definitely get to know your neighbors. The campground was very clean and had lots to do for families - horsehoes, basketball, swingsets, beach complete with movable, motorized coyotes to scare away the geese (which did not work, the geese just walked all around them). The campsite markers don't require posted reservation slips anymore, each one has a QR code you use to check-in/reserve a site. You can only bike around the campground on the paved roads (watch out for children zipping around they aren't too careful and we got hit by one 8-year-old as he was trying to bike past us on the narrow bathroom trail). There is no bicycling on the trails however. We did the easy trails that are well groomed. In July the Pattison waterfalls aren't much to look at, but the hiking trails are gorgeous. If you're making the 6.5 hour drive from Milwaukee for just a weekend trip, then it's only worth it if you hit at a minimum these two parks see if you can squeeze in Copper Falls, too. If you're visiting Pattison State Park, you MUST take the time to visit the nearby Amnicon State Park as well. Very easy walk to get to the viewing area you just walk across the road, and there they are. Best of all, it was not at all crowded like at the Big Falls. Don’t skip these!!! They’re actually quite big, and beautiful. We drove to the Little Manitou Falls next. ![]() There’s a lot of boulders to clamber over if you actually want to be near the water. I actually thought there would be another view of the waterfall from here unfortunately, there is not. I then walked on the river trail down to the river. Very easy walk to both sides of the viewing areas. There’s 3 or 4 different viewing areas in two different spots, but parking is the same for both. ![]() We first parked for Big Manitou Falls, and walked over to the viewing spots for that. The park was very well maintained, and the waterfalls were beautiful. I initially thought the $11 per vehicle daily fee a bit steep (state parks are free in Iowa), but it was definitely worth it. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Two Harbors. We drove to this state park from Two Harbors, which is where we vacationed for a few days. Check out the beautiful architecture and read about the manpower that went into building these! The Big Manitou Waterfall is the highest in Wisconsin and well worth a quick stop for photos or for a longer camping stay. Lastly, the buildings at the park were built by the CCC starting back in the 1930's from large rocks from the area. Several years ago, I camped here with my children and participated in a few ranger walks that the park offered to include driving up a fire road nearby and howling to see if we could get the wolves to howl back. Also, the Ranger Station has a very limited souvenir selection to include t-shirts, pens, glasses, and postcards. Just about 1.5 miles south on WI #35 will bring you to the Little Manitou Falls. I highly recommend you reserve your spot to camp or hook-up an RV EARLY since it used to fill up quickly. There are more hiking trails near the camping site with more isolated camping sites up this trail. Additionally, camping at this State Park is CHEAP with great shower/restroom/hook-ups readily available. You can get a map of the trails inside the Ranger Station. There are several nice lookouts here with fabulous views of the waterfall up close! You can also follow one of the extended hiking trails for about a mile and a quarter. The swimming area is large and has a nice changing area with the amazing Big Manitou Falls a short walk through a tunnel under the road (WI #35). Our Family Reunion takes place here every three years and revisiting never gets old. Having been born and raised up the road from Pattison Park, in Superior Wisconsin, Pattison Park remains one of the most spectacular places to go for a day of swimming, sightseeing, and/or camping.
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