Upcoming Events
Vehicle Admission into the park is required for all events.
Outdoor events are weather-dependent.
Free Nature Journaling
Weekly on Tuesdays in June from 1-3pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center Beach Pavilion. If inclement weather, meet at the Nature Center Classroom.
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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.
Prairie Ecology Walk
Thursday, July 2nd at 1pm. Meet at the gravel parking lot across from the Willow River State Park 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 for participants of all ages, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Independence Day Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, July 4 anytime from 12-3pm. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center.
Celebrate Independence Day with a fun, family-friendly outdoor adventure! Stop by the Nature Center to pick up your scavenger hunt sheet, then set out to explore the park as you hike to 10 marked locations along the trails. At each stop, search for a hidden American flag and discover a riddle to solve, then head back to the Nature Center to check your answers and receive a small participation prize!
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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, July 5th anytime from 12-3 pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Stop by the Willow River State Park Nature Center and pick up one of our scavenger hunts to kick off your adventure! This self-guided, drop-in hike is the perfect way to explore the park at your own pace while discovering the beauty of spring. We’ll provide everything you need—just swing by the Nature Center for your scavenger hunt sheet and head out on the trails to see what you can find!
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This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.
A Waste-Free Walk Along The Willow
Tuesday, July 7 at 9am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Holiday weekends can be tough on this park we all know and love. Join us on the Tuesday following 4th of July weekend for a parkwide trash-clean up day. We’ll provide trash bags, gloves, and/or litter pickers and head out on various trails, parking lots, and beach and picnic areas to gather trash and turn a negative into a positive. Please dress for the weather and bring along plenty of water, and good hiking boots.
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Vehicle admission into the park will be waived for participants helping with the clean up.
Underdogs Species: Villain or Vital?
Tuesday, July 7 at 10am. Meet by the Willow River State Park Beach pavilion.
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Drop in to discover why this often‑misunderstood animal deserves a second look. We’ll share quick facts about its reputation, its real ecological value, and the ways it helps keep the environment healthy.
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This event is free to attend for participants of all ages, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Incredible Invertebrates
Thursday, July 9 at 1pm. Meet at the gravel parking lot across from the Group Campground in Willow River State Park.
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Explore the prairie on this family‑friendly walk and discover the insects that call it home. We’ll look for pollinators, predators, camouflaged specialists, and all the tiny creatures that make the prairie buzz with life. This program focuses on observing insects where they live, with the possibility of catching a few for closer study if conditions allow.
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This event is free to attend for participants of all ages, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Mindful Hike
Saturday, July 11 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 includes a brief meditation and simple mindfulness practices to help you strengthen your ability to stay present. Along the way, Kelly will share 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.
Wildflower Hike
Saturday, July 11. Hike leaves at 10am. Meet at the Nature Center.
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Join the Naturalist on a colorful hike where we will identify several different types of wildflowers. We’ll also look at some edible, invasive and poisonous plants too. Feel free to bring your favorite field guide along with you!
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This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Sunday Stroll
Sunday, July 12 from 10am-noon. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Join the naturalist on a relaxing, easy 1.5 mile hike on the Trout Brook Trail. This trail is relatively flat and wanders along the lower Willow River through stands of red pine and prairie. This is a great hike for viewing wildlife such as eagles, heron, deer, and snapping turtles!
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This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, July 12th anytime from 1-3 pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
​
Stop by the Willow River State Park Nature Center and pick up one of our scavenger hunts to kick off your adventure! This self-guided, drop-in hike is the perfect way to explore the park at your own pace while discovering the beauty of spring. We’ll provide everything you need—just swing by the Nature Center for your scavenger hunt sheet and head out on the trails to see what you can find!
​
This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Prairie Ecology Walk
Thursday, July 16 at 1pm. Meet at the parking lot across from the Group Campground in Willow River State Park.
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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.
​
This event is free to attend for participants of all ages, but vehicle admission into the park is required.