If you love nature, get ready to be blown away by a true natural wonder. One of the very best hikes in Wisconsin is tucked into the beautiful Governor Dodge State Park. This short, half-mile-long trail will take you right up to Stephens Falls, WI. The most incredible part is that you descend a staircase that feels like it magically transports you to a totally different world. It’s an experience you and your group will be certain to remember!

This state park in Dodgeville is full of gorgeous trails, with two lakes and a cave trail. But the star is the short path to Stephens Falls.
Flickr/J.StephenConn
Stephens Falls is a 20-foot cascade over a mossy cliff into a small pool. The falls are named for the Stephens family, who operated a farmstead here from the late 1800s until World War II.
Flickr/JoshHaroldson
The falls are created by a nearby natural spring that would have provided water for the farmers who settled here.
TripAdvisor/MartyK
The park is located in Wisconsin's driftless area, and the falls are in one of the valleys left from when this area was covered by a vast sea. The cliffs here are sandstone that is more than 400 million years old.
TripAdvisor/Bob7203
That's not something you see every day!
The trail itself is paved and well-maintained and you can make it to a lookout over the falls rather easily.
TripAdvisor/ourroaminghearts
The ease of the hike is another great element of it. Even if you are not an experienced hiker, you will still be able to enjoy it.

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The trees and forest create a stunning backdrop for your short trek to the falls. It's one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Wisconsin, and once you have seen it we're sure you'll agree!
TripAdvisor/Bob7203
But it's the descent down to the floor of the valley that can get a bit trickier.
TripAdvisor/beachcruizer77
Some natural stone steps help carry you down to the pool at the bottom of the falls.
AllTrails/StephLauer
With the craggy cliffs, natural stairs, and stunning setting, this area looks like it could be out of a hobbit book or some alternate universe. It's like the staircase is a pathway into another land.
Flickr/Heussner
The trip down to be nearer to the falls is totally worth it in any season. In colder months, the water freezes and you can walk behind the falls. The staircase down to the pool and bottom of Stephens Falls is truly one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin.
Flickr/TonyHeussner
It's a hike that's worth taking in different seasons so you can experience it all throughout the year!

Governor Dodge State Park is located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and there are stunningly beautiful views all around it.

What other short and sweet hikes do you love? Do you have other favorite Wisconsin waterfalls you have been to? Please let us know in the comments! We would love to hear all about your experiences. Looking for more great ways to get outdoors in the Badger State? Check out some fun short hikes in Wisconsin. You’ll love them all!

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Stephens’ Falls, 2VHC+59, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA