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Willow River State Park |
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034 County Highway A
Hudson, Wisconsin 54016
* Summer
* Winter
With 2,891 acres of prairie, forests, and panoramic river scenery, Willow River
State Park offers year-round recreational and scenic attractions in western
Wisconsin. Located 5 miles northeast of Hudson on County Road A, the park has a
campground, a boat launch, and a 400-foot beach and picnic area centered on
172-acre Little Falls Lake.
Photo of Willow FallsFour scenic overlooks provide spectacular views of the
water falls and Willow River gorge.
The park draws more than 300,000 visitors each year.
Summer recreation
Summer visitors enjoy fishing and canoeing on the peaceful, non-motorized Little
Falls Lake, hiking, and camping.
Prairie and Nature Center
There's a prairie garden outside the Willow River Nature Center.
DNR Photo
The Nature Center, located near the main picnic area, features exhibits on
animal and plant life, and park naturalists host many interpretive programs
there throughout the year.
The park's 13 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. The most popular
hiking trail destination is the Willow Falls and the scenic overlooks of the
river valley.
A gift shop is in the Nature Center.
Winter recreation
The views of Willow Falls become even more spectacular in the winter when drifts
of ice and snow make the Willow River seem to appear out of nowhere. The
constant flow of water from the falls and dam account for the abundant wildlife
found at the park. During the winter, the park becomes the domain of the deer,
chickadee, cardinal, red fox, bald eagle and crow. Even so, there is plenty of
room for the outdoor enthusiast to partake in their favorite winter activity.
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, dogsledding, and
hiking. The park’s 9 miles of cross-country ski trails on the south side of the
river are groomed and tracked by volunteers for skate and traditional stride
style skiing. The Nature Center classroom is opened for use as a warming house
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Other winter activities include sledding, ice fishing or winter camping. A whole
new experience is waiting for those who use and appreciate the park in its
winter splendor.
Willow River is in western Wisconsin
How to Get There
From Hudson, take County Highway A about 5 miles. The park entrance will be on
your left.
From Interstate Highway 94, take Exit 4 and go north on US Highway 12 for about
1.6 miles. Where Highway 12 curves to the right, go left (north) on County
Highway U for about .3 mile to County Highway A. Continue north on Highway A 1.5
miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
For more information, ask:
Willow River State Park
1034 County Highway A
Hudson WI 54016
(715)386-5931 Office
(715)386-0431 Fax
(715)386-9340 Nature Center |
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