Willow River State Park (Hudson, WI)

Hello, Friends! Let me ask you a question…is there anything better than taking in autumn while hiking and biking along trails that hold the beautiful colors of the season?! Well I think I may have just found the perfect place for this. A week ago I visited Willow River State Park in Hudson, WI, and I’m so eager to share with you all this park has to offer its visitors!

First of all, a Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests, and recreation areas. Admission stickers can be purchased online or at individual properties via drive-up window service, electronic sales kiosks, or self-registration stations. I purchased by admission sticker at the drive-up window at Willow River State Park. Note that 2022 annual vehicle stickers are only valid through December 31, 2022. I was told at the drive-up window that the 2023 annual vehicle sticker will go on sale at the beginning of December 2022, and if purchased online it should be received by the end of the month, and then can be used for all of 2023. For my visit I decided to get the daily vehicle sticker and will look into getting the annual vehicle sticker for next year (by the way…how crazy is it that we are thinking about next year already?!). Because I am a Minnesota resident, the fee was a few dollars more, but it was still well worth the price! Check out the links above for daily and annual vehicle sticker prices.

Now onto the fun stuff! Willow River State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy year-round. This popular park features stunning views of Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge. 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. On Little Falls Lake there is also paddling, fishing, and swimming opportunities to enjoy.

Accessibility

At Willow River State Park, the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible. The park also offers accessible campsites and an accessible fishing pier.

Hiking Trails

Willow River State Park has 13 miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty. There are 12 hiking trails in total including:

1. Burkhardt Trail (Pink Trail, 2 to 4 Miles)
2. Hidden Ponds Nature Trail (Black Trail, 0.5 Miles)
3. Knapweed Trail (Orange Trail, 1 Mile)
4. Little Falls Trail (Green Trail, 0.7 Miles)
5. Mound Trail (White Trail, 1.1 Miles)
6. Nelson Farm Trail (Silver Trail, 3.7 Miles)
7. Oak Ridge Trail (Brown Trail, 1.1 Miles)
8. Pioneer Trail (Yellow Trail, 1.2 Miles)
9. Trout Brook Trail (Purple Trail, 1.4 Miles)
10. Whitetail Trail (Red Trail, 0.7 Miles)
11. Willow Falls Hill Trail (Gray Trail, 0.4 Miles)
12. Willow Falls Trail (Blue Trail, 1 Mile)

The most popular hiking trail is the Willow Falls Trail, and the scenic overlooks of the river valley. This scenic trail extends from the campground to Willow Falls. The trail travels along the shore of Little Falls Lake and the Willow River. Look for deer, birds, and a variety of wildflowers on the way to the magnificent Willow Falls. You can also access Willow Falls on the Willow Falls Hill Trail. This trail starts at the parking lot north of the park entrance on County Road A. This is the shortest route to Willow Falls; however, this trail goes up and down a very steep hill. I used the Willow Falls Hill Trail to Willow Falls, and that hill is no joke! Ha! Be sure to bring your hiking shoes!

Biking Trails

Biking is allowed on the park roads and the designated single-track mountain bike trails. Each trail is a different level – beginner, intermediate, and experienced. Also, trail use in the winter will vary as some trails are designated as cross-country ski trails.

1. Little Falls Trail (0.7 Miles)
2. Bluegill Trail (0.6 Miles)
3. Perch Trail (0.9 Miles)
4. Sunfish Trail (0.7 Miles)
5. Brook Trout Trail (1.1 Miles)
6. Brown Trout Trail (0.4 Miles)
7. Rainbow Trout Trail (0.2 Miles)
8. Rock Bass Trail (0.3 Miles)
9. Sea Bass Trail (0.3 Miles)
10. Smallmouth Bass Trail (0.2 Miles)
11. Largemouth Bass Trail (0.6 Miles)

Camping

Willow River’s campground, on the southern shore of Little Falls Lake, is very popular and has one of the highest occupancy rates in the Wisconsin State Park System. This new campground has few mature trees and no sites with full shade. It is so beautiful, quiet, and peaceful!

There are four different campground levels within Willow River’s campground:

1. The 100 campground has 50 sites and can accommodate anything from tents to the largest recreational vehicles. It provides flush toilets and showers.
2. The 200 campground has 30 sites, and it appears to only accommodate tents. This campground has flush toilets but does not have showers.
3. The 300 campground has 70 sites for tents, trailers, and motor homes. It also provides flush toilets and showers.
4. For group camping, the campground has four different areas that can be reserved (this link can also be used for reserving one of the other levels – 100, 200, and 300).

The campground has a host site on the right side of the 300 campground entrance road. The hosts provide information to campers. The host also sells firewood from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (or you can pick it up at the park office during open hours).

Picnic Areas and Shelters

There are picnic areas with tables and grills available at several locations throughout Willow River State Park. The largest picnic area is down by the beach on Little Falls Lake. Oh friends, this area is large, spacious, and oh so beautiful! There is a large playground for the kids to hang out on (as well as one in the 100 campground and the 300 campground). There is also patches of open grass in the beach picnic area for recreational activities and sports! No pets are allowed in the beach picnic area; however, there is a pet area by the boat launch with tables and grills.

There is a reservable shelter at Willow River State Park near the dam picnic area. There is also a shelter at the beach area available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations for the dam picnic area shelter can be made online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

Nature Center

The Nature Center is about 2 miles west of the park entrance next to the main picnic area. Learn about reptiles and meet snake and turtles and explore the many hands-on exhibits. Park naturalists host many interpretive programs in the Nature Center throughout the year. See the Get Outdoors! Events Calendar for a list of all nature programs and events.

Something fun for the kids – they can become a Wisconsin Explorer and discover the natural world! Pick up a booklet at the Nature Center. The booklets are full of educational hands-on activities for days on the beach, rainy days at home, or starry nights. Complete at least half of activities and return it to any state park, forest, or recreation area. The kids will receive a patch and certificate for completing the activities!

Also check out the gift shop inside the Nature Center. All proceeds go to the Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks, Inc., which promotes stewardship of the natural resources present in abundance in these parks.

Additional Activities Available

1. Swimming: The only designated swim area is at a swimming beach on Little Falls Lake.
2. Boating, Canoeing, and Kayaking: All of these activities are popular on Little Falls Lake where there is a boat launch on the lake, and there are rentals available in season (check with the park office during main hours for rentals).
3. Fishing: Fishing is available both above and below the lakebed. Panfish, Bass, and Northern can be found below the dam, and the Willow River is stocked with Trout.
4. Hunting: Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties.
5. Winter Recreation: The park has 2 miles of hard packed trails on the north side of the river available for snowshoeing, dog sledding, 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 am to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Other winter activities include sledding, ice fishing, and camping.

I hope you have the chance to check out beautiful Willow River State Park, and all the fantastic activities and beautiful colors of the season it provides! Enjoy!