What’s cooler than a waterfall? How about one that flows over ancient lava? Where can you see such splendor? At Copper Falls State Park, of course.
It’s crazy to think that volcanoes ever came anywhere near Wisconsin, but they did.
USFWSMidwest/Flickr
Most people don’t know, but there is lava right under the Bad River, which is where the falls at Copper Falls state park originate from.
Wisconsin DNR/Flickr
The lava is actually called basalt.
Wisconsin DNR/Flickr
Similar types of rocks can be found on the islands of Hawaii.
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
But the water gets its coloration not from the lava, but from the vegetation in the river.
Aaron Carlson/FLickr
You get two for the price of one here: the Bad River and Tyler’s Fork (its tributary) tumble over lava.
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
And as you can see, the Bad River tumbles into a gorge.
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
This is an amazingly beautiful park, but even more stunning once you understand the geology going on underneath the water.
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
These are some other waterfalls in Wisconsin.They might not run over lava, but they’re pretty cool, too.
USFWSMidwest/Flickr
Wisconsin DNR/Flickr
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
Aaron Carlson/FLickr
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
