Departments

Parks

Location: County Highway JJ

Amenities:

  • Disc Golf
  • Hiking
  • Grills
  • Picnic Area
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Scenic Views

Lower Cato Falls

Lower Cato Falls is a major County park centrally located within Manitowoc County, approximately 8 miles west of the City of Manitowoc on County Trunk Highway JJ.

The total area of this scenic park is 84 acres.  The park itself is divided into two distinct landscape areas: an upland area on which most of the development has occurred and a lower area along the river, which will generally remain in its natural state.

The park is very scenic with its wooded hills, rock outcroppings and a wide variety of trees and vegetative cover.  The Manitowoc River, which forms the northern boundary of the park, flows through a narrow gorge that has unique rock formations and a waterfall area.  Park visitors have an impressive panoramic view of the river from various scenic overlooks.

Picnicking, hiking and nature trail walks are among the most popular activities here at Lower Cato Falls.  The park also offers a Disc Golf Course.  Four wooden staircases leading from the top of the bluff to the river were constructed to provide greater ease in negotiating the steep slopes of the river bank.  The recent removal of the dam at Manitowoc Rapids has allowed the Manitowoc River to be managed as a rainbow trout fishery.  This park offers approximately 2,040 feet of river frontage.

Lower Cato Falls Park topographical map

Lower Cato Falls County Park

Park Season and Hours

April 1st – October 31st, Dawn to Dusk

Rules to Know

  • The removal of any items such as rocks, trees, shrubs, plants, or other natural growth is prohibited.
  • Hunting or trapping is prohibited.
  • The discarding of any refuse such as garbage, sewage, trash, or waste material in a manner other than in receptacles provided for such purposes is prohibited.
  • The dumping or disposal of waste material generated off-site is prohibited.
  • It shall be unlawful for any person to start, tend, or maintain any fire, or to burn any refuse, except at designated fireplaces within the park — except that fires for cooking or heating may be made in portable stoves, heaters, or grills at designated picnic areas.
  • Camping is prohibited.
  • Dogs remaining on a leash are permitted. All animal waste must be collected and removed.
  • Motor vehicles, bicycles, and horses are prohibited.
  • Violent, abusive, loud, boisterous, vulgar, lewd, wanton, obscene, indecent, profane, or otherwise disorderly conduct is prohibited.

Emergency Info

Please report suspicious activity to the Manitowoc County Park Office at 920-683-4185 during normal business hours, or at other times to the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department at 920-683-4200.

For all emergencies dial 911.

Facilities and Points of Interest

  • Disc golf course
  • Playground areas
  • Parking areas
  • Picnic areas
  • Restroom
  • Waterfall
  • Recreation trail
  • Stairway access to the falls

Park is located along the Manitowoc River, accessible from Beagle Lane, CTH JJ, and Lower Falls Road.