Lake Wissota State Park – Camp/Hike/Bike/Kayak/Fish

This event is open to everyone. We have a large group site, so this would be a great family outing, bring the kids! Lake Wissota State Park, northeast of Chippewa Falls, offers secluded campsites, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, picnic and playground areas and a swimming beach on a 6,300-acre man-made lake. Swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking and water skiing are popular summer activities on the lake. The park offers the watery recreation associated with the big lake yet also has lots of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Water is the star of the show here, boaters of all types use the park. There is excellent access to the lake with a boat launch and trailer parking area in the southern part of the park. Campers and day users flock to the large swim beach located on the arm of the lake. The picnic area and boathouse are located at the beach, also near a boat landing that can accommodate any boat. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the office in case you're boatless. A fishing pier, along with a few other access points scattered throughout the park enable shore anglers to try their luck. Anglers most often go for walleye and small mouth bass here, but muskie, pike, largemouth bass, panfish and catfish are also caught. Anglers of any age may check out basic fishing equipment at the park office. There is a permanent accessible fishing pier along the shore just west of the boat launch. Wisconsin fishing license is required. There are many hikes that run directly on the bluff overlooking the lake. The terrain is mostly level, prairie and woods scenery will keep your eyes plenty busy instead of looking down for roots and rocks.

Bicycling is a popular activity. While most of the park is level, there are over 11 miles of park trails open to off-road bicycling. Bikers can access the Old Abe State Trail and ride this paved railroad-grade trail 20 miles to Brunet Island State Park in Cornell. There are several miles of trail in the park shared by hikers and off-road bicyclists, including the Fox, Jack Pine, Plantation, Lake, Staghorn and Eagle Prairie trails. Sections of the Red Pine trail are also open to both bikers and hikers. Horseback riders and off-road bicyclists have nine miles of trails available in the park for riding.

There are more than 18 miles of hiking trails at the park. Some trails are shared with off-road bicyclists. There are two, self-guided, scenic, nature trails. More than 200 species of birds often stop on the lake during the spring and autumn migrations. Birdwatchers may pick up species checklists at the park office.

Winter activities include eight miles of cross-country ski trails groomed for both traditional stride and skate skiing and 10 miles of trail open for snowshoeing. There are 5 miles of snowmobile trails within the park that connect to the extensive Chippewa County snowmobile trail system. Ice fishing is also popular.

Friendly dogs are always welcome.

Directions -
Lake Wissota State Park 18127 County Highway O, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Weather
This is a late summer trip, please check the weather forecast and come prepared for various temperatures.

Friday
We will be at Group Site #1 both nights. This is a walk to campsite. You will park your vehicle and walk approximately 150 feet to access the site. Arrive any time after 3pm. Have dinner, get your tent set up and relax. Some of us may go in town for our usual Friday night fish fry if you would like to join.

Saturday
Have breakfast and start exploring the park. We can plan a few hikes, take the kayaks out, do a bike trail, jump in the water to cool off after hiking, go lay out on the beach, have lunch by the water. The day is yours to enjoy!

Sunday
Check out is at 1pm. We’ll have breakfast, and we can do another hike, you can venture off on your own, pack up and visit the surrounding Chippewa Falls area for the day, more time relaxing on the beach, do some more fishing or head home, lots of options.

Fees
Your $27.00 meetup fee covers $22 in 2 nights of camping costs, $3 in Meetup fees and $2 in firewood. The fee DOES NOT cover personal equipment or food. You will need a WI state pass to enter the park. Payment is due 48 hours after signing up. Full refunds will be honored if notified by August 25th. Please send your fee by Venmo @Sherri-Lockwood or by Zelle at 414-759-6317.