Saxon Falls

Saxon Falls is located in Saxon, Wisconsin, near the Michigan border. When you arrive, continue past the first parking area and boat landing signs, driving down the steep road to the lower parking lot marked 'viewing area.' The falls overlook is just a 200-yard walk from there.

It's barely a hike at all — just a very short walk of about 200 yards (less than 0.1 mile) from the parking area to the fenced overlook. Most people reach the viewpoint in under a minute.

No, the old trail system that included bridges and a ladder down to the base has been permanently closed and blocked off with barbed wire fencing. The only access now is from the upper overlook behind a chain link fence.

While the falls are impressive at 78 feet, many visitors find the experience disappointing due to the limited viewing angle from behind a fence high above. You can't get close to the falls or see them head-on. It's worth a quick stop if you're in the area, especially if visiting nearby Superior Falls.

Saxon Falls is located next to a hydroelectric dam operated by Xcel Energy. The water flow depends entirely on dam operations, which means the falls can range from a powerful torrent during spring snowmelt to barely a trickle at other times.

The final access road down to the viewing area parking lot is steep gravel. While manageable for most vehicles in good weather, it can be challenging in winter conditions — there's an upper parking area you can use instead if needed.

No stairs are required for the current viewing area — it's a short, relatively flat walk. The old stairway that used to lead down to the falls is permanently closed off and inaccessible.

Spring during snowmelt typically offers the most impressive flow. However, because of the upstream dam, water levels are unpredictable year-round. Many reviewers who visited in summer found disappointing water levels.