Kimball Falls is a Class III+ rapid on the West Fork Montreal River in Iron County, Wisconsin, inside Kimball Town Park just south of US Highway 2 and west of Hurley. The Town of Kimball runs the park as a day-use area, and whitewater paddlers use it as the take-out for the run above.
The falls
The drop is 8 to 10 feet where the river wraps around the park. Rated Class III+, the main drop lies below the park bridge and runs through a diagonal wave and hole.
Getting there
From US 2 west of Hurley, small signs lead to Park Road and then Town Park Drive. Parking is at the end of Town Park Drive, just before a one-lane bridge that is closed to vehicles. A 0.27-mile park trail is reached by walking across the bridge. Paddlers on an April 2025 river trip put in at the South Drive bridge and took out at the town park. Banks at the US 2 crossing are private, so the park is the public take-out.
When to go
There is no gauge for this reach; an April 2025 trip ran at about 300 cfs from the upstream dam operator.
On site
Scout from river left well above the bridge. A boat capsized in the diagonal wave during a 2001 trip. The park has picnic tables, fire pits, a pavilion, a portable toilet, a playground, a basketball court and a fishing ramp, and a short interpretive trail honors members of the Kimball Fire Department.
History and name
The rapid is also known as Maple Sap Falls.
Nearby
Rock Cut Falls, also on the West Fork Montreal River, is about 2 miles away, and Spring Camp Falls on the same river is about 10.5 miles. Nokomis Falls on the Presque Isle River in Michigan is about 20.2 miles away, and Rice Lake Falls about 22.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.