Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Irvine Park

    4.7 (15 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Irvine Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Irvine Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Luke with the black bear.
    Scott P.

    We were looking for something to do with our 3 year old when my sister-in-law recommended this park. My son was interested in going to a zoo but Eau Claire doesn't have one. This park does not have an entry fee which is great and they have a small petting zoo along with hyena, tiger, and bear exhibits (which are not for petting). My son loved running next to the black bear exhibit as the bear paced back and forth. He was just on the other side of the glass from us! The park also has a few good play areas with playground equipment for kids, vending machines, and lots of space to explore. It was a great choice for our afternoon!

    Molly M.

    Great park in Chippewa Falls! Not far from Leinies. It is a free park and zoo. We come here at least once a year for the Chippewa Valley Century Bicycle Ride (it starts & ends here). Nice wooded area along the river.

    Hansel and Gretel (not pictured)
    Diana R.

    It was not in our plans to come here; thankfully not much planning is needed to visit Irvine Park and petting zoo. To begin, there is no entrance fee, but donations are welcomed. The park follows around the bend of the creek and has plenty to offer like playgrounds, petting zoo, large animal exhibits (two spotted hyenas, Bengal tigers, and black bears), and the chance to commemorate your loved ones on a bench or memory tiles. You can pretty much see it all in about 30 minutes and then jump in your car (or walk) to get to the next area where you can see many elk and buffalo. There's also an old house that used to be a one-room school as well as a cabin that holds some history behind its walls (it might have just been the school's bathroom). The park is comfortable to get around in and the best part is you don't have to wait in lines to get in. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

    Neely created bridge overlooking Duncan Creek near the Glen Lock Dam
    Daniel R.

    As a native citizen of Chippewa Falls, no words can do this natural gem justice. There's animals for the kids, pavilions and amenities to accommodate picnics and outings alike. I couldn't be more proud to suggest this place to visit no matter your age, and it's FREE. Come during the Christmas season and see the lights!

    See all

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott P.
    41
    39
    16

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Molly M.
    174
    1850
    16145

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff H.
    7
    79
    49

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel R.
    21
    13
    15

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anthony R.
    50
    345
    378

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill U.
    1
    37
    52

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Irvine Park

    Review Highlights - Irvine Park

    As a native citizen of Chippewa Falls, no words can do this natural gem justice.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 116 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR - Safety First! The engineer watches backward for problems, too.

    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR

    5.0(1 review)
    10.7 mi

    The Chippewa Valley Railroad operates on a loop in Carson Park, across the street from the historic…read morebaseball stadium. Appropriate for kids of all ages, especially those of us with grey hair that remember the real thing, the railroad operates passenger trains pulled by live steam or "diesel" power. The diesel, actually a model of GM's famous F series locomotives, runs on a Wisconsin internal combustion engine. It was built by the Miniature Train Company sometime between 1948 and 1956. It is one of at least 5 such trains operating in Wisconsin. (Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Wausau and here.) Chippewa Valley Railroad goes the typical MTC railroad one better with live steam. You can ride the MTC train or a live steam train. The loop is about a half mile and takes you along the bluff above the Chippewa River, past a picnic shelter, over the road that takes you to the depot, past a silent observer (keep your eyes peeled!) before returning to the station. When your train arrives, the next one departs. The trains were obviously built for little people but there is an open-air gondola that's a little more comfortable for larger folks. It's pulled behind the steam engine. Rides are reasonably priced, considering ticket sales are the only source of income for this rolling museum. It is manned by volunteers who love railroads, and you can tell when you speak with any of the staff. The Chippewa Valley Railroad only operates during the summer and only on Sundays and July 4. You might think it's only for kids. In that case, borrow a couple of kids from the neighbors and go ride the train.

    Photos
    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR - Eastbound is east, Westbound is west, and never the train shall meet. (Sorry, Mr. Kipling!)

    Eastbound is east, Westbound is west, and never the train shall meet. (Sorry, Mr. Kipling!)

    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR - ALL ABOARD!

    ALL ABOARD!

    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR - Just ask if you want to sit in the engineer's seat. You look good there, young man!

    See all

    Just ask if you want to sit in the engineer's seat. You look good there, young man!

    Mt. Simon Park

    Mt. Simon Park

    4.0(3 reviews)
    8.8 mi

    The lower park area and the boat launch area are both really nice, but the actual trail is…read moreseemingly nonexistent guesswork and really dangerous - typically being an inch or two from a near-sheer cliff into the water. Worse, the path isn't cleared by anyone (i.e. forestry or park services) and so you can't actually see the path and it's complete guess work on extremely slippery leaves before it just disappears entirely and you're left with no idea where is safe to go. Pretty disappointed after looking forward to trying to go to the peak of this big hill for a romantic little hike. Also kind of gross and weird you have to pass through a toilet paper factory to get here? There is such a dissonance between a factory and hiking up a woody hill that it just makes it feel weird. The two stars are because I'd love to give 5 stars to both the boat launch and the park areas if they were listed by themselves. Without those included this is just a 0 for me.

    The base of Mt. Simon is a blast! I always came here to go frolfing and they have a nice, medium…read moredifficulty range, with 9 holes in total. There's usually a decent amount of people playing, but the park itself is really well kept. There are several volleyball nets, a boat landing, and even a few pavilions set up for patrons. Some of my best summer days were spent here frolfing and just meeting new people who all share a love of the sport.

    Photos
    Mt. Simon Park - Top of Eau Claire.

    See all

    Top of Eau Claire.

    Buena Vista Park

    Buena Vista Park

    4.7(12 reviews)
    49.4 mi

    As a previous campground host, this was THE # 1 place I recommended people check out while here…read more It's only a 5 minute drive up. It is SPECTACULAR. I cannot imagine why anyone would give it less than 5 stars. While there are only swings here ( marked down by a previous viewer for this reason) there is lots of grassy area for kids to run around far away from the cliffs. Be aware, there are no guardrails at the viewing point... so watch kiddos closely . Enjoy the views of the Minnesota bluffs across the water as you gaze upon the Mississippi river down below and the Alma dam to your right ! You might get lucky and see a barge coming through. There is a steep hiking trail @ the north end of 2nd St in Alma to start your way up. Otherwise, you drive up from the far South end of town. Well marked. Don't miss this "beautiful view"!

    Buena vista park is nice little place with a terrific view of the Mississippi, the Alma lock and…read moredam and a lot of interesting scenery in between. There are some nice stair and benches, plus a restroom (that I did not go into, so no idea if it is a flush one or not) by the parking lot. Not any barriers between you and the bluff, but it isnt too bad as far as the fear factor. We had a nice little visit and the photo ops are GREAT!! It was an easy enough drive up to the park from Alma as well. Nice little place

    Photos
    Buena Vista Park - Mississippi River looking towards the Minnesota side'

    Mississippi River looking towards the Minnesota side'

    Buena Vista Park - Power plant south of alma

    Power plant south of alma

    Buena Vista Park - Alma lock and dam on the Mississippi

    See all

    Alma lock and dam on the Mississippi

    Irvine Park - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...