Summer Fun at Lake Wissota State Park

• Camping
• Interpretive Programs
• Picnicking
• Trails
• Water Activities

The lake, picnic and camping areas, and trails provide plenty to do at Lake Wissota State Park in spring through fall.

On a camping trip to Lake Wissota, you may be treated to a show of the northern lights (aurora borealis)
Photo © Tony Wilder

Camping

Campers will find 116 wooded, secluded family campsites; 32 have electricity. There are showers, flush toilets and a sanitary dumping station. Two tents-only group campgrounds can accommodate up to 100 people each.

Campground map [PDF, 402KB]

Reservations are accepted for both individual and group campsites.

Note: Most Lake Wissota have been renumbered with the addition of 38 new campsites for 2009. (Some former sites were removed to make room for new roads and sites.

Water Activities

Boating, canoeing, swimming, and water skiing are popular summer activities on Lake Wissota. The 6,300-acre lake allows ample space for anglers, water skiers, and pleasure boaters.

The Lake Wissota beach is busy on warm weekend days.
DNR Photo

The park has a bathhouse at the beach.

Canoes can be rented at the park office from the Friends of Lake Wissota State Park. The office also has a list of area businesses which rent fishing boats.

The park's boat launch and trailer parking area offer anglers and boaters excellent access to the lake.

There is a permanent accessible fishing pier along the shore just west of the boat launch. A few fish cribs in front of the pier help attract the largemouth bass and walleye that anglers seek. Anglers of any age may check out basic fishing equipment at the office.

Picnicking

Lake Wissota State Park's has four picnic shelters, of which two are available for day use rental. These are perfect for family gatherings, reunions, company picnics, etc. There is a rental fee, and each vehicle needs a sticker, but special group rates can be arranged. Please check with the park office for more information. The other two shelters are for use by campers. The one in the family campground is reservable by camping groups.

There are two ball diamonds and a volleyball court.

On the Trails

Hikers will enjoy the 17.4 miles of scenic hiking trails within the park. Among the park's most scenic trails is the 1-mile self-guided Beaver Meadow Nature Trail. A trail overlook allows visitors to view the environment and wildlife found in a beaver pond.

Check out the self-guided Prairie Wildflower Trail for an up-close view of tall grasses and a variety of other plants.

Horseback riders have 6.5 miles of trails available in the park for daytime horseback riding. Horse rental is not available in or near the park.

Bicycling is a popular activity. While most of the park is level, there are 11.3 miles of park trails open to mountain biking. Bikers can access the Old Abe State Trail and ride this paved old railroad grade 16 miles to Brunet Island State Park in Cornell.

Interpretive Programs

Lake Wissota State Park offers a selection of interpretive programs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, including weekend nature hikes, bike hikes, and evening programs in the park amphitheater or nature center.

For more information, ask:

Lake Wissota State Park
18127 County Highway O
Chippewa Falls WI 54729
(715) 382-4574
(715) 382-5187 fax