Hamilton Falls is a 2-foot ledge waterfall on the North Fork Eau Claire River in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, in county forest land in the Town of Wilson. It is a landmark of the county forest, a popular fishing hole and a launch site for canoes and kayaks.
The falls
The river slides over a low rock ledge in a wide, gradual cascade. Lidar data puts the drop at under 3 feet, too little to count as a waterfall; older figures gave 6 feet. The ledge is 2 to 3 feet high and rated Class 3 for paddlers. The falls sit at the upper end of the North Fork Eau Claire River State Natural Area, a reach of cliffs, steep terraces, oxbows and islands.
Getting there
The falls are reached on Hamilton Falls Road. The county gates the road from about late November to May 1; its loose gravel, sand and deep ruts suit high-clearance vehicles. The land belongs to Eau Claire County, which sets the recreation rules for the natural area.
When to go
With the road gate locked through winter, visits by car run from May into November. Canoe travel is recommended through the natural area; a paddling report from May 2026 used the Hamilton Falls launch as the start for longer North Fork trips.
On site
Paddlers can launch above or below the ledge, or portage around it. Beeman Creek Access lies about 4.7 miles downstream, and Viking Pipeline Access about 1 mile downstream through steeper, hillier country.
History and name
The state natural area around the falls was designated in 2007.
Nearby
Big Falls on the main Eau Claire River is about 16.3 miles away. Ni-ho-kha-wa-ne-ey-ja is about 35 miles away and Polly Falls about 42.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.