Copper Falls State Park
The Bad River and Tyler Forks tumble through a deep northern gorge where CCC stonework, hemlock forest, and the Doughboys Trail frame Copper and Brownstone falls.
Artwork inspired by George Morrison
Here, the Bad River cuts through resistant lava and sedimentary rock, producing rapids, potholes, and falls whose color changes with tannin, light, and water level. Civilian Conservation Corps crews shaped the signature loop with stone stairs, bridges, railings, and overlooks that now feel inseparable from the gorge.
The Doughboys Trail is short but not effortless: stairs, roots, wet rock, and abrupt edges concentrate difficulty. High water can obscure details while autumn color attracts crowds. Walk the full loop in one direction, pause at the geology panels, and add a longer forest or lake trail only if daylight and footing remain comfortable.
- Rivers
- Bad River and Tyler Forks
- Era
- CCC development
- Forest
- Northern hardwood and hemlock
Quick guide
- Follow the whole gorge loop
- Copper Falls, Brownstone Falls, rapids, and confluence make sense as a sequence
- Read built stone beside bedrock
- Separate CCC walls and stairs from the much older volcanic and sedimentary gorge
Let a short loop reveal multiple layers of work
- Follow the whole gorge loop
- Copper Falls, Brownstone Falls, rapids, and confluence make sense as a sequence.
- Read built stone beside bedrock
- Separate CCC walls and stairs from the much older volcanic and sedimentary gorge.
- Watch water level
- Flow changes the sound, visibility, spray, and safety of every overlook.
- Save energy for stairs
- Mileage alone does not communicate repeated climbing on wet stone and roots.
Good to know
Stay behind railings and on signed trails; gorge edges, fast water, wet rock, and winter ice are hazardous.
Notice these
- Copper Falls
- Brownstone Falls
- Stone footbridges