Let’s Go Paddling!

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Friday, July 25 at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Willow River State Park boat launch.​

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In honor of RiverFest week, join our park naturalists' on a scenic kayaking trip up to the beautiful Willow Falls, before peacefully floating back down the Willow River. This is a great activity to enjoy individually, with a friend, or as a family! Children who are ages 10 and up, accompanied by a parent/guardian and are capable of operating their own kayak for the entirety of the trip are welcome to join! Please dress for the weather and bring along a lifejacket (if you do not wish to wear one of ours) waterproof shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray. This kayak trip takes roughly 2.5-3 hours to complete depending on the pace of the group. 

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Kayaks are limited! Registration is required, grab your spot here: 

https://tinyurl.com/LetsPaddleWillow 
This event costs $25/person. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Let's Go Kayaking!

 

Saturday, July 26,

or Sunday, July 27 at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Willow River State Park boat launch.

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Join the naturalist on a scenic kayaking trip across Little Falls Lake and up to the beautiful Willow Falls before peacefully floating back down the river. This is a great activity to enjoy individually, with a friend, or as a family! Children ages 10 and up, accompanied by a parent/guardian and capable of operating their own kayak for the entirety of the trip are welcome to join! Please dress for the weather and bring along a lifejacket (if you don't want to wear one of ours), waterproof shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray!

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Kayaks are limited! Registration is required, grab your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/WillowKayak2025 

This event costs $25/person in support of our non-profit's mission. Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Self-Guided Puzzle Hike    

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Sunday, August 3. Anytime from 11am-1pm at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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If you enjoy hiking and solving puzzles, then this is the perfect little adventure for you. Drop into the Nature Center and pick up a list of step-by-step clues that you’ll follow to unlock a final mystery puzzle. Stop back into the Nature Center and claim a small participation prize once you've cracked the code! This hike will include 1-2 miles of self-guided outdoor hiking. Please dress for the weather and bring drinking water along with you. 

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

Willow River State Park Historical Hike  

 

Sunday, August 3rd at 2pm. Meet at the gravel parking lot across from the Group Camp Parking lot at Willow River State Park. 

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Join local tour guide Ida-Ellen on a walk through the Pioneer Trail and explore some of Willow Rivers most interesting sites as we uncover Wisconsin's natural and cultural history.

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required. Tips for the tour guide are welcomed and make our programming possible.

Discover The Willow 6-mile Hike

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Saturday, August 9th. Hike leaves at 9am sharp. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center. 

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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.

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

Painting on the Prairie

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Sunday, August 10th at 10am. Meet at Willow River State Park Nature Center.

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Channel your inner artist and join naturalist Amber in exploring the beauty of the Willow River State Park. Sit down, relax, and let the beautiful view inspire you to paint! We'll provide canvases and paint supplies, but feel free to bring your own!

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Spots are limited. Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/PaintingonPrairie 

This event costs $10 and

vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Mindful Hike

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Saturday, August 23rd 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.

August's hike will be from the nature center to Willow Falls and back, which is approximately four miles in total. 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.

Meet The Rangers & Wardens Of The Willow

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Saturday, August 23 anytime from 5-6:30pm. Meet at the Dam Pavilion at the very end of the park road.

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Have you ever had a natural resources question that you couldn’t find the answer to? 

Ever wondered what’s the difference between a Ranger and a Warden, or what it takes to become one? Come visit with the Park Rangers and Conservation Wardens of Willow River State Park and get the answers you’ve been looking for! We’ll roast hotdogs and marshmallows, while they share some of the work they do to protect and conserve wildlife and state parks, lands and trails.

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