Willow River State Park – Camp/Hike/Kayak/Bike/Fish

This event is open to everyone. This popular park in northwest Wisconsin features spectacular views of Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge. Prairie remnants, miles of scenic hiking trails, family and group campgrounds, lakeside picnic areas and a nature center are all found within 2,800 acres of rolling countryside. The centerpiece of the park is Willow Falls, a powerful cascade in a 200-foot deep gorge.

The park offers fun activities include biking with trails rated for beginner/intermediate and experienced riders. There is a swimming beach on Little Falls Lake, the Willow River is also accessible in many places. Boating, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on Little Falls Lake. A boat launch is on the lake and rentals are available in season. Kayaking opportunities are available on the river. Other area lakes and the St. Croix River offer motorized boating opportunities. Fishing species such as panfish, bass and northern can be found below the dam. The Willow River is stocked with trout and fishing is available both above and below the lake bed. Trout fishing is best upstream of the waterfall. The park has 13 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The most popular hiking trail destination is Willow Falls and the scenic overlooks of the river valley. Trails vary in difficulty and not all trails are surfaced. Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. The nature center is about 2 miles west of the park entrance next to the main picnic area. Explore the many hands-on displays and see live animals. Park naturalists host many interpretive programs throughout the year. In the wintertime the park has 2 miles of hard packed trails on the north side of the river available for pet owners and for activities like snowshoeing, dog sledding and hiking. The park’s 9 miles of cross-country ski trails on the south side of the river are groomed for skate and traditional stride style skiing. The Nature Center classroom is opened for use as a warming house on the weekends. Other winter activities include sledding, ice fishing and camping.

Weather
This is a summer trip, please check the weather forecast and come prepared for various temperatures, let’s hope for lots of sunshine!

Campsite
We will be camping at group site D on Friday and Saturday night. There will be picnic tables, fire pits and a vault toilet nearby. Buildings with showers and flush bathrooms can be walked to a little further away. Friendly dogs are always welcome. You will need to walk about 200 feet to access the campsite, there will be carts there unless you want to bring your own little wagon.

Friday
Arrive at the campground any time after 3pm. Get your tent set up, have dinner and then maybe we can do a night hike or get some lights on the kayaks and take them out. Or go out for a Friday Fish Fry in town.

Saturday
This is your time to have some fun, go on a hike, take your bike out, go fish, go swimming, go out on your kayak. We can get together as a group and plan some fun activities together. We will for sure take a walk to the waterfall.

Sunday
Have breakfast, do some more exploring the activities of the park. We don’t have to leave the campsite until 1pm, you can still hang around the park afterwards for another whole other day of fun!

Fees
Your $15.00 meetup fee covers $10 in 2 nights of camping costs, $2 in Meetup fees and $3 in firewood. The fee DOES NOT cover personal equipment, food or any extra activities you want to do when you arrive at the campground. You will need a WI state pass to enter the state park. Please send your fee through Venmo @Sherri-Lockwood or you can send it through Zelle at 414-759-6317. Payment is due within 48 hours of signing up.