Saturday, April 11. Hike leaves at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.

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Get outside and greet spring as you embark on a guided 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. The terrain varies throughout the hike and includes some very steep hills. The hike will take roughly 2 ½ -3 hours to complete. Please dress for the weather and bring along plenty of water, and good hiking boots. 

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This fundraising hike costs $5/person or $10/family. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee. 

Sunday, April 19 at 12-3 pm. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center. 

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Want to get outdoors this spring but not sure where to start? Pick up a scavenger hunt at the Willow River State Park Nature Center and get out on the trails to explore all the wonders of nature. This is a self-guided drop in hike with supplies/materials provided at the nature center with the ½ mile hidden ponds loop trail behind the nature center as a great place to spot local wildlife. Bring your completed scavenger hunt back to the nature center for a participation prize!

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Tuesday, April 21 at 10 am. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center.

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In honor of Earth Day, we encourage you to help make a positive impact. Join us for a park-wide trash clean up hike. We’ll provide trash bags, gloves and/or litter pickers and head out to various locations in the park to pick up trash. Please dress for the weather and bring along plenty of water, and good hiking boots. 

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This event is free to attend. Vehicle admission into the park will be waived for participants helping with the clean up.

Saturday April 25 from 12 - 4 pm at University of Wisconsin River Falls-University Center. 

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Join us and several other community organizations and businesses at UW-River Falls to celebrate both community and environmental wellness! Earth Fest is a free community celebration of the past, present, and future sustainability efforts in River Falls and the surrounding area. This family-friendly event includes live music, fun family activities, food sampling, a sustainability and wellness fair, free giveaways, and more! ​

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This event is free to attend. To learn more visit: https://www.hopeforearth.org/earthfest

Weekly on Tuesdays in May from 1-3pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.

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Join us weekly for Nature Journaling, a relaxed program welcoming both beginners and experienced journalers. Explore guided prompts, practice observation skills, and capture the natural world on the page. All materials are provided, and each session stands on its own. Come once or return all summer.

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This event is free to attend for participants of all ages, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Every Wednesday in May from 10am-12pm at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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Join us weekly on Wednesdays, to learn the art of nature journaling guided by naturalists. Deepen your appreciation for the natural world and create a personal journal filled with your observations and reflections. All participants will receive a nature journal and basic art supplies, but feel free to bring your own!

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Learn More & Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/springnatjournalwillow 

This 4-week course costs $10/person and spots are limited. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Saturday, May 2 at 10 AM. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.

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Some of the tastiest mushrooms can be found right here in St. Croix County; if you know where to look! Join us for a 1-hour presentation, where you’ll learn when, where and how to pick them yourself. Then join the naturalist on a short hike afterwards (if you wish) and see how many we can find right here in the park. Be sure to wear closed hiking shoes and long pants if you plan to join the hike afterwards. 

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Seats are limited. Registration is required:

 https://tinyurl.com/FungiWillow2026 

This event costs $5/person. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Sunday, May 3rd. Hike leaves at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Kinnickinnic State Park gravel Red Trailhead parking lot on 770th avenue.

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Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly hike! This short trek will lead us through some of the best local habitats for spotting wildlife. Bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours) and learn to identify a variety of feathered friends by sight and sound. Our guide will share tips on spotting wildlife and help you discover what makes our local species unique. Dress warmly, bring a water bottle, and get ready to experience the wonders of winter birdlife!

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Thursday, May 7 at 1pm. Meet at the Group Campground. 

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Take a family‑friendly walk through a short‑grass prairie and explore what makes this ecosystem unique. We’ll talk about the animals that live here, the remarkable adaptations of prairie plants, and how fire helps keep the landscape healthy and thriving.

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Saturday, May 9 at 9am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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Join Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher and Volunteer Wisconsin Master Naturalist Kelly Gillespie for a guided mindful hike designed to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. This immersive experience includes a brief meditation and simple mindfulness practices to help you strengthen your ability to stay present. Along the way, Kelly will share fascinating insights into the powerful mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature. Bring a backpack with water and a small blanket, mat, or towel to sit on. Dress appropriately for the weather, and be sure to have footwear suitable for walking on unpaved paths. Ages 10 and up are welcome. 

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Saturday, May 9 anytime from 1pm-3pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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With spring in full swing, and summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to get out and enjoy some fresh air, stories and smiles! 

Join us at the park for some fun and fictional outdoor exploration. Search for several spring-themed stories hidden throughout the park and answer questions/riddles along the way to receive a participation prize. Bring a water bottle, come dressed for the weather and be prepared to hike to different locations within the park to uncover stories. This is a great all-ages, or family activity to enjoy. 

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Sunday, May 10. Hike leaves at 10am sharp. Meet at the Kinnickinnic State Park red trailhead gravel parking lot off of 770th avenue.

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This hike is for everyone who wants to celebrate the spirit of Mother’s Day! Bring along someone special—a friend, family member, mentor, or anyone who has been a caring presence in your life—and join us for a refreshing 3-mile round-trip hike through the beautiful trails of Kinnickinnic State Park. Please come dressed for the weather, bring water, and wear sturdy hiking boots. We look forward to celebrating together!

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.