Stephens Falls is a 20-foot horsetail waterfall reached by the Stephens' Falls Trail in Governor Dodge State Park, Iowa County, Wisconsin.
The falls
A lidar survey indicates the drop is about 20 feet, though the reading is unconfirmed. Older records placed the height at 30 feet.
Getting there
The official trail to the falls is 0.5 mile: a 10-foot-wide paved section runs 0.25 mile to an overlook with accessible trailhead parking, and stone steps over uneven ground continue down from there. The park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The 2026 daily vehicle rate is $13 for Wisconsin plates, $3 for Wisconsin residents 65 and older, and $16 for out-of-state plates; no separate trail pass or reservation is required. Construction may close or reroute some park roads, trails and parking through fall 2026, though most areas remain open.
When to go
The waterfall is seasonal, and May through October is the recommended period to see it.
On site
The paved upper section ends at a scenic overlook; reaching the base means stone steps and uneven ground. Pets are allowed on a leash no longer than 8 feet and may not be left unattended. Swimming policy and safety history at the falls are not documented.
Nearby
Skillet Falls is about 34.1 miles away, and Parfreys Glen Waterfall about 36.6 miles. Bridal Veil Falls, across the state line in Iowa, is about 52.4 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.