July Events
All events are free to attend (unless otherwise noted) but vehicle admission into the park is required!
All outdoor events are weather dependent.
Mindfulness Meditation and Hike
Saturday, July 2 and 16 at 9am.
Meet behind the Willow River Nature Center.
Join Kelly Gillespie, Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, for this one-hour program that will aim to reduce anxiety, clear your mind, and relax your body. Each Saturday there will be a unique 15-minute guided meditation followed by a 30-minute hike which will incorporate the mindfulness techniques from the meditation. The last 15 minutes will be dedicated to journaling about your experience. Writing materials will be provided or feel free to bring your own. Please bring water and dress accordingly for the weather conditions. Participants ages 12 and up are welcome in!
COST: $10 per session.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/willowmindfulmeditation
Wildflower Hike
Saturday, July 2 hikes leaves at 10am.
Meet at the purple trout brook trail.
Join the Park Naturalist on a colorful hike and identify several different types of wildflowers. We’ll also look at some edible, invasive and poisonous plants. Feel free to bring your favorite field guide along with you and we'll bring a couple of ours along too.
Skulls, Pelts, Tracks and Scat
Saturday, July 2 anytime from 2-3pm.
Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
Get up close and personal to numerous animal skulls, pelts, and more! Identify different animal tracks and scat and learn interesting facts about several Wisconsin animal species.
Herb Walk
Saturday, July 9 at 10:00am.
Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
Join Nicole Wocelka, Clinical Western Herbalist, for an informative and engaging herb walk. Learn about the properties and practical uses of plants that grow in the park, and likely, in your own neighborhood.
COST: $10
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/willowherbwalk
Raptors 101
Saturday, July 9th at 11am. Meet at the Beach Pavilion.
Join us for an exciting, educational and interactive presentation from River Valley Raptors. Learn unique features of several different raptor species and how they have adapted to survive the habitats in which they live! Bring a camera and any questions you have about raptors along with you!
River Valley Raptors is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the conservation of raptors and other wildlife through education.
Discover the Willow 6 Mile Hike
Saturday, July 23 Hike leaves at 9am sharp.
Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
Join the naturalist on a 6-mile round trip hike and discover some of the most beautiful sights at Willow River State Park. This hike will take you along the Willow River, above Little Falls Lake and up close and personal to the Willow Falls. Along the way, we’ll venture through a variety of habitats including wetlands, prairie, river bottoms, and mature deciduous and coniferous forests. The terrain varies throughout the hike and includes very steep hills. The hike will take roughly 2 ½ -3 hours to complete. Please dress for the weather and bring along, water, good hiking boots, binoculars, a camera and a snack if you wish.
Summer Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, July 30 anytime from 10AM-Noon. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
Get outside and join us for a scavenger hunt! Search for items on a checklist throughout the park, then come back to the Nature Center and collect a small participation prize!
For more information on a certain event please call 715-386-9340 or email naturecenter@willowkinnifriends.org
Our Support System
These programs are made possible with funding provided by the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, Xcel Energy and the Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks.
