Willow River State Park Conditions

Conditions as of Wednesday, July 16, 2008:

• Admission Stickers
• Camping
• Fishing and Boating

Fishing and Boating

Canoes and kayaks are available for rent.

Campgrounds

The family campground is open. All bathroom buildings are open and all water faucets and the dump station are on for the season.

Trailer camping is available at the six sites (73-78 with electricity) by the beach, no tents. There are three grills for outdoor cooking but no fire rings.

Reservations may be made for dates two days from now through October 31 by calling (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275 or using the Web.

Please self register for camping and vehicle admission as needed outside the office if it is closed when you arrive. If you are going to be late arriving for your reservation (after 3 p.m. on the second day of your stay) please call the office, (715) 386-5931, to let us know you are coming, or you will forfeit the reservation.

Firewood is for sale in the park from 7 to 8 p.m. daily. Convenience stores nearby also have firewood. Campers will find dry wood (oak) along the trail from the campground to the beach. Cutting trees that are already down is allowed with hand tools only, no power saws. 

Protect Wisconsin’s trees; leave the firewood at home! Any firewood brought into the park from a state other than Wisconsin or from more than 50 miles away will be confiscated and not returned upon your departure. There will be no refunds for commercially packaged firewood confiscated by park staff. Kiln dried lumber and boards are acceptable. Pallets will be confiscated.

Events

The weekend of July 18-19 has three special events: astronomy, kids' fishing and a Full Moon Hike.

Friday, July 18, at 9 p.m. in the Nature center, we'll have Universe in the Park. View a program inside and then look through the telescopes outside. The event is free but regular vehicle admission rates apply.

Saturday, July 19, will feature the Kid’s Fishing Contest for anglers 12 and under. Three age groups will fish off shore or off the dam. Half way through the time slot, the shore anglers change places with the kids on the dam. Entry feeis $1 per angler. Bait is provided and there are some fishing rods for those without. The schedule:

8:30 a.m.: Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. The older age groups do not need to be at registration right away.
9 a.m.: Age 6 years and under fish
10 a.m.: 7- to 9-year-olds fish
11 a.m.: 10-12-year-olds fish

Also on Saturday, July 19 is the Full Moon Hike. Meet at the Nature Center at 7 p.m. to learn about birds (held in the classroom) then go out on the hike afterward. The event is free with an annual or daily admission sticker on your vehicle.

Vehicle Admission Stickers

A vehicle admission sticker is required to park on state park property. The 2008 stickers are valid through December 31, 2008.

If the office is closed when you arrive, please self-register for vehicle admission and camping fees as needed. There are self-registration boxes at several outlying parking areas. Pay for your sticker at the box and we will mail the sticker to you. Complete information is posted outside the office.

Reminder: if you are a Wisconsin resident and you enter the park in a vehicle with Minnesota or other out-of-state plates, non-resident vehicle admission fees apply. Self-registration camping is limited to only two nights until reservable dates end.

Other Conditions

Road construction has ended out at the entrance on County Road A.

Road Conditions [exit DNR]
Weather [exit DNR]

For more information, ask Willow River State Park office, (715) 386-5931; Nature Center, (715) 386-9340. When the office is closed, the answering service has optional messages include seasonal topics like camping, skiing, and special events.