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    Kemper's Woods

    5.0 (1 review)

    Kemper's Woods Photos

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    6 years ago

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    Irvine Park

    Irvine Park

    4.7(15 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Went here on Independence Day weekend due to recommendations I've received from locals. The actual…read moreviewing area for the animals is a little bit longer of a drive once you enter the park winding through the forest. Parking and admission is free but they do accept donations. They were a decent amount of animals to look at from birds to bears. The only downside is that the animal exhibits were only a few which isn't bad if you're three for picnics or exploring the forest/play on one of their various playgrounds. They do have a concession stand in their welcome center but doesn't look like much. All in all, a good place to spend a summer afternoon if you way to plan a picnic or do something outdoors as well as spend some time petting animals!

    This is one of the best parks in the Midwest…read more The zoo is fun during the summer, with peacocks that are free to roam around the avian area. We spent a good couple of hours just watching them doing bird things, including ostentatious displays of power and mating ability. This year, we went in fall and the birds were away. We did see some bison behind a fence. It's quite amazing to be three feet away from them, something which you wouldn't be able to do safely in the wild. Further down the road, there are a couple of donated buildings: an early 20th century area school and a 19th century pioneer log home. The school is a particularly fine piece of architecture. Scattered through the park are many pavilions and covered picnic tables. It's a great park and zoo!

    Photos
    Irvine Park
    Irvine Park - Flag Hill building

    Flag Hill building

    Irvine Park

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

    Chippewa Valley Railroad - CVRR

    5.0(1 review)
    10.8 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!

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    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)
    9.0 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.

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    Top of Eau Claire.

    Buena Vista Park

    Buena Vista Park

    4.7(12 reviews)
    49.2 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

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    Alma lock and dam on the Mississippi

    Kemper's Woods - parks - Updated May 2026

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