Willow River State Park
Hudson, Wisconsin
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. Willow River State Park draws more than 300,000 visitors each year.
Four scenic overlooks provide spectacular views of the water falls
and Willow River gorge.
DNR Photo
Parts of the park are open to deer and turkey hunting in season.
Summer recreation
Summer visitors enjoy fishing and canoeing on the peaceful, non-motorized Little Falls Lake, hiking, and camping.
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.
There's a prairie garden outside the Willow River Nature Center.
DNR Photo
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.
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. Go straight on to 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 the 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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