Wisconsin
Nature|Hiking

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park In Wisconsin That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Explore the historic town of Merrill, Wisconsin, and the natural beauty of Council Grounds State Park. Enjoy fishing, hiking, and dining at local favorites.

Published Sep 11, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

Merrill is a small town in north-central Wisconsin that's surrounded by the state's gorgeous Northwoods. It was these forests that first drew Europeans to the area when what is now Merrill was settled as a logging camp in the early 19th century. Long before the arrival of settlers, however, this area was home to generations of Ojibwe (Chippewa) people, a heritage that's reflected in the name of the small-town Wisconsin state park located just outside of Merrill: Council Grounds State Park.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

Now a bustling community of just over 9,000 people, Merrill got its start as a logging camp known as Jenny Bull Falls. With a prime location on the Wisconsin River, the town is home to several historic buildings and monuments that highlight its prominence as a center of commerce and trade in the region.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

Just outside of Merrill, though, you'll find a small park, Council Grounds State Park, that preserves a piece of the natural history - with a nod to the human history - of the area before the town was settled. With access to the Wisconsin River and Lake Alexander, the park is popular for fishing and other water-based recreation.

Anecdotal evidence describes this spot along the Wisconsin River as an important meeting place for the area's Native peoples. Whether this is the case or not, the Ojibwe of the region were certainly familiar with this place on the river, as it lay on the water routes between their traditional summer and winter camps.

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V'ron/Flickr

What the park does preserve, though, are stands of native red and white pines. These are the trees that first drew loggers to the area, and they are far scarcer today than they were at the time Merrill was settled.

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Joshua Mayer/Flickr

In fact, you'll find nearly three dozen species of evergreen and deciduous trees in the park, along with a network of trails that lets you enjoy them.

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Denise Hoffman/AllTrails

The park is a wonderful spot to visit in any season, as beautiful in its autumn and winter garb as it is in spring and summer.

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Michael-Tatman/Getty Images

A trip to Council Grounds State Park and the charming town of Merrill definitely belongs on your Wisconsin bucket list. You can learn more about the park and the hiking opportunities there on AllTrails Plus. Check out the state park's page on the DNR website for information about camping and boating. If you're looking for a dining suggestion while you're in the area, I recommend checking out Los Mezcales in Merrill - it's one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Wisconsin.

Have you visited Council Grounds State Park near Merrill, WI? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to shout out some other awesome, small-town state parks in Wisconsin.

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Nature|Hiking

The Parking Lot for This Waterfall Hike in Wisconsin Fills up Fast on Weekends

Discover the beauty of Willow River State Park in Wisconsin. Learn tips to avoid crowds and enjoy hiking, camping, and winter activities in this scenic park.

Published Sep 26, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

With so many incredible hiking destinations in Wisconsin to choose from, it's kind of amazing that any of them are particularly crowded - I mean, there's room for everybody, right? Unfortunately that's not always the case, and some places, like Devil's Lake State Park, are particularly notorious for their parking boondoggles, with hikers and other visitors battling for spots in lots that can be full as early as 9 a.m. Another place where the parking lot can feel more like Costco at Christmas than a peaceful nature getaway is Willow River State Park, near Hudson, WI - especially on weekends. Even so, it's beautiful and absolutely worth visiting - you just need to know when to go.

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Jenny Cheney/AllTrails

I think Willow River is one of the most beautiful state parks in Wisconsin - and we have a lot of gorgeous parks. That's certainly one reason for its popularity. With more than 2,800 acres of mixed terrain, from forest to rushing river, folks flock to this park for outdoor fun

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Angela Miklasz/AllTrails

It's close proximity to the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota is another factor. On a good traffic day, you can get to Willow River State Park from St. Paul, MN in half an hour. The eastern suburbs are even closer. So, on summer weekend days, you can expect to see plenty of people in the parking lots and on the trails.

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Madelyn Cary/AllTrails

The parking lots and trails closest to Willow Falls tend to be the busiest.

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Jennifer Porzondek/AllTrails

So, if you go on a weekend, you should try and arrive as early as possible, or park far away from the falls. Otherwise, plan on visiting during the week or the shoulder seasons - although autumn is busy, as well, because of leaf peeping. The park is also lovely in the winter, when snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular. Come at one of these times, and you may just have the trails - and the falls - to yourself.

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Kevin Chard/AllTrails

If you haven't made it over to Willow River State Park, I highly recommend doing so - especially if you can get there on a weekday. Otherwise, pack some patience; it's worth it. There's a lot more to this wonderful park than just its waterfall, though. With 13 miles of trails across terrain ranging from prairie to forest, as well as rock climbing routes and the Willow River Water Trail, this park is a hot spot for outdoor adventure in Wisconsin. Camping is available in the park, with more than 150 sites across three different campgrounds. Visit the Willow River State Park website for camping information or to make reservations. AllTrails Plus is a great resource for trail maps and to preview the best hikes in the park.

Have you hiked in Willow River State Park near Hudson, WI? Tell us about your experience, and be sure to clue us in on your favorite tips and tricks for avoiding crowds in the parking lots or on trail.

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Nature|Hiking

The Audubon Center in Wisconsin Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Explore Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a prime birdwatching destination with diverse habitats, hiking trails, and year-round activities.

Published Sep 25, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

With all the avian traffic we get here in Wisconsin - especially during the spring and fall migrations - you'd be forgiven if you occasionally thought of us more as the Birder State than the Badger State. Folks follow these seasonal visitors and winged residents, flocking to internationally renowned spots like Horicon Marsh and Crex Meadows. But there are also plenty of smaller, more intimate locales that see plenty of ornithological action - and fewer clambering visitors - in Wisconsin. One such place is Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, which is located right in Milwaukee.

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Drew Saunders/Flickr

Don't get me wrong - Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is pretty well known in the area, but most of the visitors here are Milwaukee locals and not out-of-staters from Ohio or, worse, those flocking Illinois birders (just kidding - we love you guys!). This makes for a more laid-back, birding experience. Fortunately, the birds, themselves, are all business here. The center is located along the Lake Michigan flyway and within a designated Important Bird Area. More than 262 species have been recorded at Schlitz Audubon over the last 50 or so years.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

Many of these are migratory, like the 36 warbler species that've been identified on nature center property. Others are year-round residents that enjoy the wide array of diverse habitats - from Lake Michigan shoreline to marsh and wetlands to hardwood forest - the center's 185 acres have to offer.

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Alexandra Taylor/AllTrails

And it's not just birds and birders who enjoy the nature center's six miles of hiking trails that include accessible, paved pathways, wooded footpaths, and boardwalks. Plenty of other animals and nature lovers of all sorts enjoy time at Schlitz Audubon. There's even a 60-foot observation tower that you can climb for your own bird's-eye view of the area. Check out AllTrails Plus for trail information and previews.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

The nature center's trails are open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., throughout the year, so you can take advantage of this unique space in all seasons - even winter. There are plenty of resident birds and animals that overwinter here, like the eastern screech owl, and snowshoes are available for use on the trails.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

There is a small entrance fee for non-members who wish to enjoy the facilities. But if you ask me, this Milwaukee gem is a birder's paradise in Wisconsin. In spring and fall, you can literally see dozens of birds species on a single visit. For more information, check out Schlitz Audubon Nature Center's website.

Have you visited Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us some of your favorite birding spots in Wisconsin.

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