We wanted a spot that offered outdoor fun with a nearby city for lunch, and this park delivered! It's huge.... offering hiking, camping, biking, swimming, and even skiing in the winter. There's always something to do no matter the season. Parking is $8, and on busy days you might wait a few minutes, but it's worth it. At the entrance, you'll get a helpful map (also available online) that shows all the trails and recreation options. We parked near the boat launch and took the 1.5-mile loop to the waterfall, a beautiful, family-friendly walk with no complaints from the kids! The waterfall itself is stunning. We kicked off our shoes, dipped our feet in the cool water, and climbed around the rocks above the falls. There are more challenging hikes if you're feeling adventurous, and it's only about 10 minutes to great Hudson riverfront dining afterward. We left smiling and saying, "That was so fun maybe we should get an annual pass! read more

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Fantastic! A short drive from the Twin Cities, this is a lovely site to take a walk in nature or use for camping. This is my secondary visit where we came for a short hike to the falls with our dogs. If you are not from WI, be prepared to pay a few extra dollars more as a non-resident. My family parked near the entrance and used the trail next to the parking lot. There is a giant hill leading down to the falls which means the hike back is tough and almost breathless. I personally feel like seeing the falls makes it all worth it. When arriving at the falls, there are such a wide variety of humans who are climbing, swimming, sitting in nature, enjoying picnics, taking pictures and even knitting. While we typically do the quick falls hike, know that multiple trails exist and that maps will be provided upon entry. Enjoy!! read more

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Beautiful park with a waterfall! We were In Minnesota and decided to cross the state line to check out this park. It was fall time so not many people there. I think it costs $13 for the entrance fee which I thought was high especially for the time of year we visited. We drove around the park to check out everything and decided to park near the main entrance to walk to the waterfall. This is the longer way to get there. You walk past camping spots and other wooded areas before going down the hill to see the falls. The falls were really beautiful and they had a fun spot to take pictures. read more

Willow River State Park - Waterfall - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

This is a great camp site and enjoyed going there last year but this year seemed a bit off. There were other campers playing their music loud which overtook our campsite. Just saddens me that with camping you want to unwind from the world of technology and get back to nature - very inconsiderate of other campers (this particular group). The rangers are very nice. read more

Willow River State Park - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

Amazing state park, easy access to waterfall, good trails with some decent hills. Very close to the Twin Cities

It's a tough walk down the steep trail to get to the waterfall but it's certainly beautiful. Definitely worth going at least once!

We drove from Milwaukee to hike and camp for a weekend at this state park. It was well worth the 5 (near 6) hour drive. We arrived after sunset around 9pm on a Friday. We had no issues locating our campsite and backing our camper into our assigned campsite. We had no issues with electric. Facilities onsite are well maintained and accessible. Probably the nicest showers we have come across at a WI state park so far with water temps you can adjust. The park is overall very quiet. It is a family campground and noise ceased at 11 pm. For a campsite with electric for our camper we paid about $35 / night. Can't beat it! As for the hiking and trails, it was lovely. We hiked 8 miles total. The waterfalls, called Willow Falls, is the superstar of this state park. It is unbelievably stunning, and photos actually do these falls justice! You can climb the falls at your own risk. If it was hot, we would have gone for a swim. An easy way to access the falls is via the Willow Falls Trail (blue and is about 1 mile). You can pick this trail up in the 300 Campground area. The footpath was relatively busy. This is an easy trail for all ages and leads straight to the falls. Another trail with views we really enjoyed was the Nelson Farm Trail. This is a long trail almost 4 miles long (silver trail). It has nice overlooks of the lake/park and isn't very busy. It is more challenging though with lots of inclines and declines. Another stellar part of this park is its proximity to Minneapolis/St. Paul and the charming town of Hudson, WI. Hudson is absolutely worth a visit to. Located about 15/20 mins from the state park and has lots of local breweries, a lovely riverside park and you can even walk to the Wisconsin islands via a cement pier. read more

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Easy hike to see the falls. 3 miles in and out. But if you want more of a challenge, there is a steeper trail but shorter distance to the falls. Park in the lot near the beach or nature center for the easier trail. Lots of birds, turtles, butterflies, and deer on this trail. There are drive up campsites as well and other trails to do at this park. A summer must do! read more

Willow River State Park - Willow river and falls - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

A very nice state park - one of the nicer ones we visited on this trip (we stopped at four state parks). The water fall is great and if you want an aerial view you can hike the steps to the upper deck. There are many good hiking trails here and a lake - we only scratched the surface of all the resources and features of this large park. Next time we are here visiting relatives in Hudson I plan to return and more thoroughly explore this park. read more

Located right across the Wisconsin border- Willow Falls was a great summer hike and swimming spot! I took a group of 8 teenage boys to Willow Falls with no intent to swim, but the water and unique terrain led most to jump in and enjoy the summer day. Next time I plan to pack a swimsuit, a picnic lunch and make a day out of it! Parking was a 10 minute walk from the falls. read more

Willow River State Park - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

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I went to Willow River State Park on October 9th and it was as close to fall peak colors as it could have been. We hiked the Willow Falls and Nelson Farm Trail Loop. It fully lived up to the hype of AllTrails and exceeded my expectations. The hike was about 6 miles and definitely moderate due to several very steep hills. The trails were all marked clearly and it was a very scenic and enjoyable route along several lakes, marsh type areas, creeks, and of course the falls. It was truly beautiful and I'll definitely be back (quite possibly the same exact weekend next year) read more

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W H A T A G E M !!! A wonderful way to spend my Mother's Day afternoon. After a spectacular breakfast at Chilkoot Cafe in Stillwater, this activity was beyond our hopes. Neither my daughter or I had been here before, so we were flabbergasted to realize that this park was within driving distance of the Twin Cities, and so updated! The non resident fee was $13 for a day pass. Well written maps were available to the entire area with all the trails detailed. I also grabbed the flyers for Wildflowers in the park and Birds in the park. They were mostly check off sheets. There were only 2 different flowers blooming, but many birds! We saw a Blue Heron, a cardinal, Baltimore orioles, among many many others. Be sure to bring your Bird Book and Wildflower Book to identify them all. The picnic areas were plentiful and well appointed. There were water fountains everywhere, so no excuse to become dehydrated! In addition, sturdy modern clean real restrooms were available at many locations. In other words, it is kid and senior friendly :-) Pets are welcome in most parts of the park as well. Judging by all the ski racks outside the fascinating Nature Center, winter activities include cross country skiing. I wish that there were more signs labeling trails, especially at the forks. Other than that signage issue, this place is incredible. Just do it! G O S P E N D T I M E H E R E ! N O W ! read more

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A short hike down the steep hill to the falls but coming back up is a whole other story. Nonetheless, beautiful falls, close to the cities for a days trip. The water was too cold for me but there were a lot of people swimming in it. Lots of hiking trails but I only went for the falls. read more

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I love this place so much very much!!!!! Me and my family was a lot of fun!!!!! They have parking lots and have two way to walk to the water fall you can pick which one you wanna walk #don't carry too much stuff will make you easy and fun!! read more

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My daughters and I visited Willow River State Park during the summer and hiked down to the waterfall. What a beautiful walk! There were no bugs which was a pleasant surprise, and as we got closer to the waterfall we could hear the water in the distance. There is a bridge that provides a beautiful view of the multi-level waterfall. People were enjoying swimming, sitting, relaxing, and exploring the waterfall. We wished we had more time to more fully explore the waterfall and the trails around it. The hike back up the hill is challenging and invigorating. Thankfully, there are well-placed benches along the way to stop and enjoy the scenery (and catch your breath, if needed). We look forward to our next visit! read more

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I feel like I've done my time in nature today. Between the heat, $10 parking sticker and the LONG ass walk to the falls, our time with nature is over for today at least. A co-worker told me about this park. I had no idea that this park even existed. Again, not a huge nature lover and after today's long ass nature walk who knows? I was never a fan of camping. I was a girl scout for a very short time had to go to camp and hated every minute of it. My parents have a picture of me shooting daggers at them as they left me sitting by the hot camp fire and sharing circle. Our journey to the falls at first kind of reminded me of that trip. Parking was in a gravel lot. Then its follow the signs to the falls. I guess the signs weren't clear to us. We ended up taking the long long long way.....holy crap it was long... Finally made it to the vicinity of the falls and we had another half a mile to go down one long hill. Going down OK....going back up SUCKED, but it kind of felt good. Had there been a tram from the bottom of the hill I might have hopped on. It's true... If it hurts a little bit, its probably worth it. The falls are beautiful and worth the hike. I didn't care how cold the water was, the water cascading down felt good. It was refreshing clean water and it was fun wading around in the water and climbing around on the rocks. There were tons of RV's and tents. Plenty of campground for the serious camper. Park is clean. The falls are worth it. Beautiful scenery and overlooks. Climb up to the top of the falls. Less crowded. We had a great time. read more

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What a gem and only an hour away from home, We parked and did not know what to expect. We probably walked .75 of a mile in and saw the beautiful waterfall. Now wishing we would of brought a towel/ drink to sit down on the rocks and relax and\or play in the water. We thendecided to take a path to the beach which was also had a nice picnic area; I would have to say the only down part for me was that it was a mile from waterfall to a restroom. We also took a look at the campgrounds which were very nice and private. I would recommend weekend camping or a day visit. Will be back in the fall. read more

I can't say enough good things about this park. I love it! I hike here weekly and always take a different trail. This is a big park with many miles of hiking trails. Lots of camp sites and ammenities for visitors. The crown jewel of this park is a gorgeous waterfall at the center of the park. It flows heavily all year round, especially in the spring. You can access it several ways. The shortest distance is from the small lot off hwy A. Be warned though, the trail there is a deep descent and climb back. You are better to park near the beach (used to be a beach before they drained the lake) and walk the mile to the falls. My favorite hike to lead my hiking club is on the nelson farm trail. You start at the beach parking and follow the trout brook trail, cross willow river and follow the trail up through trees and valley. There is a hard 1/4 mile climb to the first vista and another further into the hike, but the reward is a breathtaking view of the valley and river bed below. You eventually get to the falls where you can climb many stairs to see the falls from above or continue on back to the parking. The trail from the parking lot to the falls is handicap accessible with pack dirt and pavement. Another trail i love is the oak ridge and white tail trail loop. This is the place to hike early evening. You will see many deer on the trail and they aren't afraid of people. Lots of hills and climbs. This is a great hike for someone who enjoys a good workout! There are so many other wonderful trails in this park. It would take a good 2 days to hike all of the trails there so its a great camping and backpacking destination. You need a permit to park here. $7 per day if you are a wi resident and $11 out of state. I buy an annual pass since i come here often. read more

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Beautiful park with lots of hiking trails. Waterfall is not to be missed! The daily parking fee is $10 for in state tag and $15 for out of state. The leaves at the falls parking lot are gorgeous in the fall! We hiked the falls and looped the Burkhardt trail - definitely recommended. At the Burkhardt loop make sure you turn left so you don't have to climb the huge amount of stairs for the overlook! (You'll be coming down the stairs to end your loop instead of going up the stairs if you started your loop there). read more

What beats a snowshoe/winter hike adventure here in winter? Cooling off in the waterfalls on a hot summers day! The waterfalls were amazing! The hike down from the parking lot was worth it! The only caveat was the parking/permit situation since the ranger station at the entrance was closed. read more

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Awesome place to go ! We bought a house nearby to take advantage of this beautiful treasure

Beautiful place to hike! My boyfriend and I spent the day here for our anniversary and did the 4 mile hike from the Nature Center to the Falls and back. The trails were beautiful and mostly stayed along the river. We packed a picnic lunch and ate it on a rock overlooking the falls which was just perfect. After lunch we found a tall stairway up to an overlook which was definitely a hike (no pun intended... my legs were just really sore the next day). It didn't give a great perspective of the falls, but provided a lovely view of the river and other parts of the park. The beach by the Nature Center was closed due to dam construction I believe, but it didn't take away from our experience at all. read more

Willow River State Park - View from the overlook - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

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Having lived in the Twin Cities area most of my life, I found it particularly strange that I had never heard of Willow River State Park until a few weeks ago. I was shocked to see that such a beautiful waterfalls was located only 45 minutes from the Cities. I made a point to visit as soon as I had time. I recently took my father to the park--driving from Minneapolis on a weekday. Being past-peak season, it was a breeze getting there and getting into the park. The drive was an easy less-than-an-hour journey down highway 94. You simply take a left as you pass Hudson and follow the signs for a couple miles. There is a ranger station/visitor center area where you can buy a parking pass (they also have a drive-up window). The fee is a very affordable $10 for out-state vehicles. There are several camping areas in the park, and numerous trails. It was much larger than I anticipated. After driving down to the 3rd campground, I parked by a restroom area in order to find the trail. This trail is the easiest way to reach the falls. It is a one mile walk from here, but it is flat terrain, unlike the shorter trail. While the shorter trail has its own parking lot, it is much steeper. I certainly wouldnt recommend this route if you are with older individuals or people who arent able to exert themselves. The route from campground 3 is a leisurely nature walk past Willow River, and you may even encounter some wildlife. The falls itself is spectacular. Even during this time of year several people walked by as I was shooting. The falls is tiered waterfall in a gorge-like area, complete with high rock formations on each side. The water is shall here as well--Ive seen a number of photos of people wading in the water here. It certainly doesnt appear as imposing as Minnehaha Falls, but every bit as scenic. There is an observation area above the falls, as well, but I didnt make it up that far. In addition to these features, there is also a beach, fishing opportunities, and a nature center... I didnt have the opportunity to utilize these amenities, but Im fairly confident Ill be back in the near future. read more

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In the unlikely event that you ever happen to be in Hudson, Wisconsin this a must stop. Also could make a nice day trip from the Twin Cities (about a 40 minute drive sans traffic). Entrance price is a little steep ($10 for the day) for a state park but since you likely won't spend much money in Hudson to begin with it is not a big deal. There are a lot of really lovely wooded paths to meander through with the crown jewel of the park being Willow Falls. It is a pretty cool waterfall nestled in the woods with no access other than on foot. The trails are relatively quiet, even with the fair amount of families camping. Also, there are paths for all levels of difficulty and desired lengths so anyone can join in for the outing. read more

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Acres of nature in all of it's glory. This is a wonderful free place to take advantage of. (you must have the state park sticker a value at 25.00) Walking paths of natural ground or sidewalk pick your preference. Streams, beach, trees, bridges, glorious sounds of wind rustling through the trees and birds chirping. They have a playground to enjoy with your children--you can do some fishing hiking and even camping! What's not to love I ask? read more

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This place is amazing. I am 44 years old but once I started to explore the waterfalls I turned into a kid. I climbed up and over each falls and walked up river a few yards. Went under the falls and just hung out at the falls for three hours or more. The only thing I didn't like was the construction that was going on at the dam. I think I read they are replacing the dam but getting woken up at 7am with loud construction equipment isn't the best or hearing them do it all day until 5pm or so. I spent three nights at the campground and it was very enjoyable minus the construction. I know people are complaining about the lake but if you go to the park just for the lake then go ahead and complain. How many lakes does Wisconsin have? Lots so one less lake is not a big deal. The lake will eventually return. I highly recommend this park for anyone interested in hiking or waterfalls. Once the construction is done it will be a perfect park. read more

It was cheap to camp here... You'd think there was a catch and there is! We were in the 100's area so maybe the 200 and 300's are better? That being said we were closer than normal to neighbors on all sides and had little privacy. I'm positive they all know my entire life story which I don't mind but I'm sure they could of done without... The token partiers were still making noise Into the wee hours which was annoying in a tent. So I would definitely suggest going on the edges when picking a tent site. We wanted to redeem this place so we set out to find the Willow falls, once we finally found the parking (about 12 stalls total) which were obviously full on a Saturday we turned around and said forget it. I really wanted to agree with everyone raving about this place but I just can't. The scenery along the river (we did make it to the beach) was okay. The camping sites were mediocre and overall I think you get what you pay for except also a lot less sleep. read more

Willow River State Park - Camping site in the 100's - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

This use to be a great area for Picnics and fishing, swimming , water sports like canoeing, but these days AFTER they tore the dam , it's just a LIFELESS Desert, the stream is nothing more then a MUD TRAP, the once vast lake .. Below the dam , use to have a good area for fishing , like bass, pan fish , trouts , now there's nothing but dead sand and a few minnow. Don't waste your $11 for parking or your $10 for a fishing license.. You're better off in a Desert then here ! The once crowded beach is nothing more then a few scatter group , some haven't been here for many years only to come back and see a dead zone field where the beach was . Never going BACK! read more

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Beautiful waterfall, but that's about it. Theres no where to really swim since the current is so strong. The rocks are super slippery and all you can really do is sit down on the rocks and enjoy the view. read more

Best park for hiking. There are two routes to the fall. Try both. Totally worth it. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated. read more

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This place has tons of hiking trails, walking trails, and so much more including a couple of hills to sled on! My family and I love to go out here to take walks. If your bored during summer, or really any season, pop on over because there is a collection of things to do! read more

This park is amazing! After driving past it for 10 years my wife and kids and I finally stoppped in to check out the place. We parked in the North parking area and walked down to the falls. WOW WOW WOW I had no idea we had such a beautiful place so close to home. I must warn people that is a daunting walk back up the hill. Lucky for us my oldest son(3 yo) is a trooper he walked up the entire hill. So if you are not in good shape or have trouble walking i would avoid walking down the to falls. The falls are setup really nice they have a nice place to sit and have lunch and just enjoy the views. We will be visiting the park multiple times every summer from now on. read more

Here's the deal. As far as the beauty of nature around this park goes, I would give this place a 5 star rating. Maybe it was just the week I was there, but there were some serious issues. 1. The pumps went out, this meant no running water. Yes, I do realize that we are camping. However, you go to a campground like this for the very reason of having these amenities. When they go away it's VERY annoying. 2. The nightly curfew. 11pm is "quiet time" and the rangers enforce it with an iron fist. Granted, we were targeted as a large (and sometimes rowdy) group, but sitting around a campfire talking at normal volume should be generally accepted when camping. Heck, talking into the night around a campfire is a defining feature of camping, and the Leaf Police kept stamping us out. We had a good time despite the oppression, but I doubt I'll be back anytime soon. read more

This review relates solely to the XC Skiing Experience. We paid our daily fee (parking only, no fee for skiing) and had a chat with the ranger upon arrival. This proved to be a Good Move. Ranger was very familiar with the ski trails, and helpfully recommended a route, a place to park, etc. This was refreshing; sometimes the help couldn't be less interested. The trails themselves were nicely laid out throughout the park. However, the trails were a bit too narrow for skate, and the grooming was a bit spotty for skate and classic. I think that after a fresh snowfall, the classic skiing here would be amazing. This is a popular park, and there were lots of folks out and about. We even saw groups of kids learning to ski. Still, the people never were overwhelming out on the trails. I'd come back and ski classic here again, then maybe head down to Brick's for a pizza and a glass of wine. read more

Came here seeking out the view of Willow falls on Saturday and was more than impressed. The park is spacious and looks likea great place to camp. I scoped out some of the sites and I would say the 300s is the way to go. Left the state park and down the road parked at an unmarked lot (while unmarked, they still expected us to pay? no thanks) and walked nearly a mile straight downhill to check out the falls. Absolutely beautiful, well maintained, and not another soul in sight. Just the way I like my outdoors. About 45/50 mintues from the twin cities, a great Saturday outdoors day. However, I have a feeling it will get quite buggy in the summer so load up on the spray! read more

Willow River State Park is an absolutely beautiful part of this region. There is something to see for everyone! Whether you are looking for a gentle stroll, a tense hike, a relaxing waterfall, an educational retreat, or whatever else you may be thinking of Willow River State Park is likely to have something just for you! Get lost in the natural scenery and spend a few hours exploring! You won't regret it. read more

Loved this place! Beautiful and very relaxing. There is camping grounds and trails that lead the the waterfall. The second entrance is a quick way to the waterfall and it's just a little steep trail, nothing to difficult. Had a good time and brought my dogs. read more

Willow River State Park - Parks Near Me - Hudson, Wisconsin

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I've single handedly hiked every trail in this park with my family and I can personally say that there are some amazing trails and amazing views here. It seems as if every trail has an extraordinary view that you can't help but take a picture of. The falls are amazing, and when the dam is up and the lake is full it's a great place to have a great afternoon. read more

Love the state park!!! Running to the falls is my favorite!!! There are stairs to climb for a great workout and then you can look over the beauty of Hudson!! It is one of my favorite places to go to just unwind. read more

My boyfriend and I just got back from a weekend of camping in Willow River State Park. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, minus the sweltering heat (not the park's fault obviously!). If you're looking for a fun, convenient camping experience close to the Twin Cities, this is your spot! I am a fairly avid camper and can enjoy all ranges of camping from the BWCA to a cozy weekend in a camper. This place is very convenient with bathrooms and water very close to all of the sites (there aren't any showers). The sites are fairly close together. It's divided up into 100's, 200's, and 300's. AVOID THE 100's IF YOU CAN! I was pretty shocked when I saw them - right next to the highway and crowded with campers. It wasn't a good first impression. We stayed in the 200's though and I was happy with the improvement. The sites are more spread out and offer more foliage covering between campsites. They were much quieter too. If you want specifics, go for sites 202-207 (best ones). The 300's are in an even more wooded area, but as we walked through I couldn't help but notice how loud it was. Lots of kids screaming and big families. Still though, better than the 100's. The hiking is great and the falls are a must see! Bring your swimsuit too - we sat right under the falls and cooled off in the water. read more